2016 marks the 240th anniversary of adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. July 4th, 4th of July, or Independence Day—no matter what you call it, it pretty much all boils down to the festivities and the fireworks.

One of our favorite celebrations is held in Pacific Palisades, where they really know how to do the holiday right. The first half of the day is dedicated to various races for charity, organized and sponsored by local groups and hospitals with all proceeds going to the Optimist Club Foundation. A group of skydivers then lands on Sunset Boulevard at 2 PM to start a mile-long parade through the town. Food trucks, activities, and concerts fill the rest of the afternoon at Palisades High School, with the main concert event, Palisades Rocks the Fourth, kicking off at 6 PM. Finally, a magnificent fireworks show ends the night; it is easily one of the top Fourth of July shows in Los Angeles. The Palisades celebration has been going since 1948, when it was started by American Legion Post 283. That’s a good 68 years of Pacific fun!

There will be plenty of festivities to enjoy all across the southland! Tell us how your friends and family celebrate the 4th: share your favorite BBQ recipe, or let us in on a local celebration in your area. Most of all, be sure to enjoy our country’s 240th birthday in style!