The 4^th of July is one of the best days in the Marina! I always love flying over the harbor, taking in the days’ events and seeing what kind of trouble I can get into. Since I get to see the area from the sky, I thought it’d be fun to share some of the cool festive-going spots I noticed.

1)      Burton Chace Park – One of my favorite spots to soar over (between you and me, it’s always a nice place to perch up and catch my breath when I’m feeling a little winded). On the 4^th, my little resting sanctuary is crowded with families and friends picnicking, listening to music and playing games. It makes me happy to see people enjoy this beautiful area, and, to be honest, it’s one of the few days where I’m not as fussy sharing my coveted, waterfront playground. I also go crazy for the smells of hamburgers, hot dogs, carne asada, kabobs…you name it the barbeque masters grill it. Each year, I can only hope that some friendly face will drop a nibble or two for me. This time I got spoiled with some grilled chicken, half a hot dog and some scraps of pita chips. Whenever I smack down on human food, I can’t help but wish that I were a dog so I can roll over and have my stomach scratched after my meal. Sometimes, those four-legged creatures don’t know how good they have it.

2)      Fisherman’s Village – This is a normal spot for my posse and I to gather (blame Marina del Rey Sportsfishing and the heavenly smell of fish that comes with it).  Typically, it’s filled with couples walking hand-in-hand or families enjoying the little shops and waterfront dining. But, on the 4^th, it was filled with people of all walks of life. The blend of culture and languages was incredible! I couldn’t keep up. I must’ve heard six different languages being spoken and saw so many types of people sharing the area with others. That’s one of the reasons I love the 4^th in Marina. It’s a flocking ground for locals, but is also where visitors commence.  You can live right down the street on Admiralty Way, but spend the holiday chatting up a couple from Australia or a family from Germany.

3)      Boat Parties – People in the Marina know how to take “I’m on a boat” to the next level. Aside from the festive red-white-and-blue decorations, there were huge waves of fun happening on the boats. Naturally, the first boat that caught my eye was full of screaming girls dancing around like extras in a MTV music video. What really impressed me about that group of girls was that they had rented a duffy (one of those canopied-covered rental boats where you can take out by the hour) and, well, hats off to them for steering the boat themselves. I felt as if I should’ve cued Destiny Child’s “Independent Ladies” as they pulled up to the dock.

There were also a ton of families circling the harbor. One boat had THE most adorable little girl wearing a red-white-and-blue wig with a necklace of gold stars. I just about wanted to crown her Miss Marina del Rey and swoop down there with a little sash and tiara.  There was another lively bunch of children, teenagers and adults. Looked like an annual family tradition for the group (a tradition that I soon decided I’d want to be apart of after checking out their amazing food selection and upper deck set-up).

Of course, I couldn’t get by without noticing Hornblower ruling the Marina channel. Every year, these people do it right! Who wouldn’t want to dance the night away with champagne, live entertainment and an elaborate four-course dinner? I almost want to wear a sign that says “pelican for pet?” in hopes that someone will take me under their wing to enjoy the 4^th in style. I can never work up enough courage, though. Maybe next year I’ll comb my feathers so I can at least be considered for an invite.

4)      Fireworks – The holiday’s main event! In poking around the Marina, I noticed a “buzz” in the air. People were excited for the display! My posse and I were, too. Don’t get me wrong, it’s always tricky to maneuver the night sky with the possibility of colorful bombs exploding in our bums, but we still love a good show. That’s why it’s important that we pick a viewing spot and STAY PUT. This year, I settled on a view from the Ritz-Carlton and landed just above the Marina’s “Waterfront Walk.” It was so much fun to see people gather on the promenade and watch as we honored America with an illuminating show. For twenty minutes, people “ooohhed” and “ahhheeddd,” and shrieked with delight. It had to be one of my favorite moments of the day.

So, there you have it! My little round-up of the 4^th in Marina del Rey. Like I said, it really is one of my favorite days. Did you celebrate with us?