City gearing up for fireworks, music on the 4th

Independence Day has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, and it remains a symbol of patriotism today.

Finally, parks and rec officials plan to show the 2016 family-friendly animated movie, “Sing”, following the fireworks so that not all the park visitors will head for the exits at the same time.

Did we miss a show? Enjoy live music from Clemons Road, blending Country music with an island feel or vice versa, and be sure to catch the breathtaking fireworks display at 9:00 p.m.

Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville will be offering a tasty way to celebrate America at the Johnson Ferry House. At 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 2591 will present the colors, followed by the Star Spangled Banner sung by Brendan Hurley. The festivities also include living history demonstrations and patriotic arts and crafts, games and displays that hearken back to the year 1860, just before the start of the Civil War. Enjoy dancing on the waterfront to live music from 6 Digg-It Band from 8-11pm and a fireworks view from the docks.

Before the fireworks show at sundown, the celebration will include a performance by the Dave Aguallo band.

Red, White & Kaboom: July 3; Lake Mirror – Lakeland; 121 S Lake Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801; 6:00 p.m.

The celebration takes a patriotic turn at 5:15 p.m. when the Thornton Community Band, bolstered by an Independence Day Festival Chorus, will perform. Rain date is July 6.

Aurora, Indiana – Aurora’s Red, White & Boom Festival will be held at Lesko Park on Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1. The Concert Series ends July 3 with Trinity and Sixwire, and the last days of the carnival are on July 3 and 4.

A Fourth of July Celebration on the Plaza at the Historic Courthouse will follow with Tarheel Junior Historians and the Rescue Squad serving free ice cream and cookies. Tickets for the evening event are $34 for adults and $24 for children. Go online for ticket prices: denveroutlaws.com.

There will also be no parking in the main parking area on the lower level of the park on July 5 after 7 a.m.

The city’s annual parade -with the theme “Freedom Forever” – will start at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Little League Concession will be open. The 2017 parade will begin at 10 a.m. July 4. Spend the day with family in downtown Columbus for fun, food and entertainment and fireworks to complete the evening.

People watch and photograph the fireworks display from the parking lot across from Peace Park at the annual Fire in the Sky event.

Morven Museum & Garden will host its annual free Independence Day festivities, July 4, noon to 3 p.m. Food vendors will be available all day.

Columbia: Howard County’s Department of Recreation will host a free 4th of July festival from 5 p.m.to 10 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dark. Free. Visit parks.arlingtonva.us/july-4th/ for more.

Gaithersburg: The city is holding its SummerFest at Bohrer Park (512 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg) on July 1, featuring live music, food and kids’ activities. The parade will begin at Tuthill Road and New Suffolk Road, continue south on New Suffolk Road and turn left onto Main Street and then right onto First Street, ending at New Suffolk Beach. The show is set to begin at 9 p.m. July 1 at the Truman Lake Dam, with patriotic music broadcast on 95.3 KDKD. Gates will open at 6 p.m. for the free event and fireworks will begin at dusk.

Visitors’ bonus tip: If you’re going to be in MA long enough to allow for it, make some time to enjoy the Cape Cod beaches or, better yet, a trip to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. The parade begins at 11 a.m. and runs from the Stop and Shop parking lot through the center of town and down to the Surf Club.