Celebrate July 4th with the sparkle of fireworks all weekend long.A Fabulous Fourth

Get ready to have some July 4th fun! It's time for the nation's birthday. and there are many ways and places to celebrate all weekend long.

There's a reason why many thousands of hardy souls brave the jam-packed thoroughfares leading to Jones Beach every July 4th: After dusk descends on the park, 9:30 p.m. to be precise, visitors can enjoy what many consider to be the best fireworks display on Long Island.Once again produced by Bay Fireworks, the event takes days of preparation, resulting in a spectacular half-hour show.The company uses sophisticated computer-controlled technology to launch the patriotic pyrotechnics, meaning that every elegant explosion is carefully choreographed to rousing tunes played over the beach's sound system.Like every year, be prepared for crowds, as over 150,000 people are expected to attend. Guests are advised to arrive early on Monday, by 6 p.m. "Center stage" is at Field 4; of course the fireworks will be visible throughout the length of the beach. For further information, contact (516) 785-1600.

Eisenhower Park is the setting for what is proclaimed to be "Long Island's largest fireworks show of the summer," on Saturday. It's produced by the Grucci family, and is accompanied the delightful sounds of the Long Island Philharmonic. This, too, is a state-of-the art display of fireworks wonders, featuring a computer generated script that choreographs the fireworks to the music. The program includes "We're Having a Party," "God Bless the USA", and "When You Wish Upon A Star," among other patriotic and crowd-pleasing tunes.It all takes place at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitors are advised to bring seating, and, of course, arrive early! For information, contact (516) 572-0200.

Point Lookout gets into the festive spirit, also on Saturday, with a fireworks display and concert by the legendary Jay Black and the Americans.The patriotic display is produced by Bay Fireworks. The popular Long Island group Risky Business opens the show, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Before the music begin, the celebration starts off with a tribute to several military veterans who have distinguished themselves in service to their country. There is also an antique car and military vehicle display for spectators to enjoy.See the show at Town Park Point Lookout, 1300 Lido Blvd. in Point Lookout. For further information, contact (516) 431-3900.

Independence Day for 19th century Long Islanders wasn't so different from today's version of the holiday: just substitute musket fire for fireworks and a Temperance Society picnic with old fashioned fiddle music, instead of holiday feasts blasting with the sounds of today's music, and it's virtually the same thing.Those nostalgic for those days gone by can spend their holiday in the 1850's, courtesy of Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Fourth of July festivities include the aforementioned picnic (where guests are invited to bring their own picnic lunches), a traditional parade -complete with costumed "villagers", musket-toting militia and a marching band, as well as All Star Base Ball games. It all begins on Saturday, with the Old Bethpage Village Sextet's version of the stirring sights and sounds of a mid-19th century brass band. They perform throughout the weekend. Monday's events start at 11 a.m., at Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage. Admission is $7 adult, $5 children 4-14 and seniors. For further information, contact (516) 572-8400.

Forget about fighting the crowds on the way to the beach on Monday. Leave the "driving" to someone else and relax on an all-inclusive 5 1/2 hour cruise, 7-12:30 p.m., on Freeport's Nautical Princess. You'll enjoy cocktail hour, dinner and dessert, with dancing, topped off by the Jones Beach fireworks show. Ticket prices start at $99.99 per person; the cruise is restricted to 21 years or older. There is also a Point Lookout Fireworks cruise on July 2, 7-10:30 p.m. To reserve, or for more information, call (516) 623-5712.