Judging by the music in the air, Saturday in the Inland Valley was roughly equal parts militant patriotism, feel-good liberalism and cranked-up Animal House. 

A visitor to any of the many local festivals might hear for example the U.S. Marine Corps hymn, the almost quaint "This Land is Your Land" and the still indecipherable "Louie, Louie." 

Along parade routes from Chino Hills to Ontario, traditional families mingled with single fathers, celebrities with stroller-pushing teen-age moms. Friendly police officers on horseback wore big smiles. A Robinowitz might be found standing next to a Dominguez across from a Chao. The Shirelles, one of America's girl groups of the 60's, played Fairplex. 

This is how the Inland Valley celebrated America's 222^nd birthday. 

In Ontario, bands perked up the audiences lining the southbound side of Euclid Avenue during the annual Fourth of July parade. The sharp black-and-orange uniformed Chaffey High School band performed that mysterious anthem to good, old American-style partying -- "Louie, Louie."

Neighbors Sharon Swafford, 35, and Colleen Martinez, 64, were among those sitting in the park as the parade moved south. 

"We come every year," Swafford said. The women and their families have been turning out for the last few years. 

"It's a tradition," Swafford said. 

Not far away, Trevor Arvizu, 6, let his dad know what was coming down the road. Standing in the massive joint of a huge pepper tree, Trevor announced the oncoming paraders to the less arboreal people below in lawn chairs and on blankets. 

"Hey, Dad, there's an elephant coming!" Trevor called. He was referring to the Republican Women's float, which consisted of a Dumboish looking elephant enjoying a picnic. 

Trevor's dad, Ron Arvizu of Ontario, said he brought his son and two siblings to the parade because it gave the single father the chance of doing something with family….(partial article)