Towns around the tri-state area will mark today with parades, car shows and classical music, not to mention pool parties, barbecues and a fireman's muster. Almost all of today's events feature a fireworks finale.
Here's a look around the region to help you decide how to celebrate.
FIREWORKS FESTIVALS
* Coolidge Park: Chattanooga Symphony & Opera presents its Pops on the River concert at 6 p.m. with The Dismembered Tennesseans and father-daughter duo Tim and Sara King as special guests. Music will include patriotic selections, "The Tennessee Waltz" and favorite songs from Disney animated movies. Fireworks follow.
* Signal Mountain: A community parade at 10 a.m. from Alexian Village to Althaus Park, the playground behind Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club, the site of a daylong festival. Signal Mountain Lions Club members will serve barbecue from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. (or until it's gone). Fireworks are scheduled at 9:40 p.m.
* Soddy-Daisy: Newly crowned Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler, a Soddy-Daisy native, and the Rose Parade-bound Soddy-Daisy High School Marching Band will make appearances at the Fourth of July festivities at the park at Soddy Lake. Other events include a fireman's muster, a car show, an arts and crafts and musical entertainment all day. Fireworks are scheduled at 9:45 p.m.
OTHER EVENTS
* Creative Discovery Museum: Red, White and Blue Days continue through Sunday at the children's museum at 321 Chestnut St. Each day, cloggers will perform at 12:30 p.m., Curious George will lead a parade at 1 p.m.; watermelons and sprinklers will cool off visitors on the plaza from 1-3 p.m., and all ages can participate in the watermelon seed-spitting contests at 3 p.m. The indoor fireworks, which follow the parade, are created by popping sheets of bubble wrap. The museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is $9.95.
* East Ridge: Residents can party at the East Ridge Pool from noon to 7 p.m. Games include an all-ages coin toss, limbo and water basketball. Admission is $5; members of the armed forces get in free with ID. The pool is directly behind the Bojangles on Ringgold Road.
SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE COUNTIES
* Bledsoe: Pikeville Church of God at 13234 Main St. (U.S. Highway 127) will offer concessions and gospel music starting at 10 a.m. CDT. Members of the church's youth group will sell fireworks. A 45-minute fireworks show will start at 9 p.m.
* Bradley: The 10th annual Freedom Celebration features music, prayer and pledges. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. at Cleveland High School, 850 Raider Drive NW.
* Cumberland: A parade at 10 a.m. CDT leads from the Palace Theater at 72 S. Main St. to the Crossville Depot. A fireworks festival is scheduled at nightfall in Centennial Park.
* Franklin: Huntland residents can enjoy a parade at 10 a.m. CDT at the high school, a kids zone with a bounce house and water slide opening at noon and music by four bands from 1 to 11 p.m. Fireworks close out the day. Sewanee's plans include an arts and crafts fair, a cat fashion show, a cake decorating contest, an air show and a parade starting at 2 p.m. from Sewanee Hospital.
* Grundy: Find the right vantage point to see simultaneous fireworks set off from the Monteagle ballpark east of town as well as the ballpark behind Monteagle Assembly. Parades begin at 10 a.m. CDT from the Smokehouse in Monteagle and at 6 p.m. near Tag Plastics in Tracy City.
* Marion: Jasper Regional History Museum at 715 Phillips Ave. will offer Civil War artifacts, antique tractors and other history exhibits on the grounds from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT, as well as two Civil War skirmish re-enactments at the Marion County Fairgrounds field at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The city's fireworks display will follow at nightfall.
In South Pittsburg, the Atlanta Rhythm Section will headline the musical lineup, which starts just after noon CDT at the River Park (boat dock). Fireworks are scheduled at 9 p.m.
* McMinn: The city's fireworks display starts at 9:30 p.m. at Athens Regional Park. Residents can come early for games and other activities beginning at 6 p.m. Activities include a Shoney's pie-eating contest, giant plinko, target golf, washer pitching and a mechanical bull.
In Etowah, a Boy Scout pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. will be followed by a road race, a patriotic program, a beauty pageant, square dancing and live music. The Etowah Town Band will perform patriotic music at 6:30 p.m., followed by Strictly Business in concert at 8 p.m. More music will follow the fireworks display, which starts at 9:45 p.m.
* Meigs: In Decatur, fireworks will be set off on the Meigs County High School football field. In Ten Mile, the Mister Twister restaurant will host a celebration with live music, giveaways and fireworks. Music by Reno and Conviction starts at 5 p.m.
* Monroe: Sweetwater's annual Fourth of July parade starts at 10 a.m., leading from the Plaza 68 parking lot to the gazebo downtown. In Tellico Plains, a street party begins at 5 p.m. in the town square, followed by fireworks.
* Polk: Ducktown's Miners Homecoming includes a pancake breakfast at the Hoist House, parades, kids games, a rubber duck race, a pageant and classic car cruise-in. Entertainment includes gospel music at 4 p.m., bluegrass by the Raven Welch Band at 6 p.m. and rock by the C.C. Morgan Band at 8 p.m. Fireworks start at 10 p.m. In Copperhill, the fireworks display will take place at 9:30 p.m. from Tater Hill.
* Rhea: Graysville has Tennessee Championship Wrestling as part of its July 4th Bash at the ballpark on Black Track Road. Bouts start at 6 p.m., but autograph sessions and chances to drop favorite wrestlers in the dunk tank start at 4 p.m. Wrestling tickets are $7 adults, $5 for children 5-12; $1 off the ticket price for those who bring a chair. The fire department will provide the pyrotechnics display at dark.
* Sequatchie: A parade through downtown, complete with military fly-over, starts at 10 a.m. At the courthouse, vendors will have food and games for the kids throughout the day. Fireworks start at dark.
NORTHWEST GEORGIA COUNTIES
* Catoosa: Lake Winnepesaukah will light up the sky with fireworks at 10 p.m.
* Chattooga: A Celebrate Independence party starts at 5 p.m. at the Summerville Recreation Center on Bolling Road and concludes with fireworks at dark.
* Dade: The annual Fourth of July barbecue will start at 7 p.m. at the New Salem Community Center. The event ends with a fireworks show at dark.
* Fannin: The Independence Day celebration takes place at Lake Blue Ridge Marina, starting with a cookout and music at noon and fireworks at dark. Concessions will be available.
* Floyd: Salute to America features music, children's activities, and contests beginning at 1 p.m. at Ridge Ferry Park. Fireworks are scheduled at 10 p.m. Kneck Down will perform two shows starting at 5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in contests for watermelon eating, cherry pie eating and hula hooping. Some children's activities will have a nominal fee.
In Cave Spring, the 28th annual Fourth of July parade will be held downtown, followed by a car show and children's games on the town square.
* Gilmer: A parade, with the theme "Happy 175 Years in Ellijay," opens the celebration at 10 a.m., leading from Sailors Drive to the town square. Artists, crafts and musicians will offer Art Around the Square throughout the day, and vendors will have food available between 4 and 9 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m.
* Gordon: Gates open at 5 p.m. for Calhoun's Star-Spangled Celebration, with fireworks following at dark, at the Northwest Georgia Regional Fairgrounds. Festivities include music and wrestling starting at 6 p.m. Concessions will be available.
* Murray: The July 4th Celebration in Chatsworth will be held at 745 Chestnut St. Organizers promise plenty of food, live music and games for the kids, including a 30-foot water slide. Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m.
* Whitfield: The annual Dalton Fireworks Festival will be from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Heritage Point Park. Cross Plains leads off the musical lineup, and a Freedomfest Talent Quest singing contest will follow at 5 p.m. for a $10 entry fee. Before the fireworks at nightfall, residents can take part in Krystal hamburger and Little Debbie eating contests and watch the Little Miss Recreation contest.
NORTHEAST ALABAMA COUNTIES
* DeKalb: Live music, arts and crafts, entertainment and games start at 10 a.m. at Henagar Park, ending with fireworks at dark. Rainsville residents can take part in the Crossroads Freedom Festival, which includes a car and cycle show at 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot of First Bank of the South on Alabama Highway 35. Celebrations continue Sunday in Rainsville City Park with food, inflatables, music and fireworks. The city pool will be open with free admission. In Valley Head, Sequoyah Caverns and Ellis Homestead will be open for tours, gem mining and hiking, as well as bluegrass music and fireworks.
* Jackson: In Scottsboro, fireworks will be set off at dark from the Goose Pond amphitheater on Lake Guntersville.
