Centennial Olympic Park's July 4 Celebration

ATLANTA -- It's the Fourth of July weekend and we have a very extensive list of events.

As you know, there are three types of Fourth of July weekend events: Those with *FIREWORKS,* those without *FIREWORKS,* and those that have nothing to do with the Fourth of July. We got all three covered!

First up, the biggest *FIREWORKS* event of them all (in my humble opinion):

Can you believe it? It's already been a year since 11Alive took over Centennial Olympic Park for the Fourth of July! One whole year! And we're doing it all again this year only bigger and better! Join Ted Hall, Paul Ossmann, and the 11Alive team along with All the Hits Q100 at the park (or watch us from your own backyard BBQ as we broadcast live in HD, although it is so much better in person!) Festivities kick off early with arts and crafts, face painting, performances, inflatable fun, stilt walkers, children activities, and tons of family fun all at the south end of the Park near the Fountain of Rings. We got live music all day including Stokeswood, the Infinity Show Band, and of course featuring Vertical Horizon. It's everything you want! It's everything you need... For a fantastic Fourth! Special shoutout to AirTran Airways and Embassy Suites for partnering with us on this *FIREWORK* Spectacular. Take MARTA as it's going to be crowded! I went last year and it honestly was the best Fourth of July show I've ever seen.

Also, don't forget that the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coke are also open for the Fourth of July to add to the fun! So, you now have no excuse not to be there.

But if you can't make it to downtown, (believe it or not) there are other BOOM, BOOM, POW events going on:

It ranks right up there with mom and apple pie. That's right our national pastime, baseball. Sadly, the Atlanta Braves are in Washington to battle the Nationals, but the Rome Braves are in town Friday hosting the Bowling Green Hot Rods for their Salute to America *FIREWORKS* night. They then head to Lexington to battle the Legends for the rest of the weekend. And the Norfolk Tides visits the Gwinnett Braves on the Fourth with a post-game *FIREWORKS* extravaganza. (Someone get me an apple pie with vanilla ice cream please!). And come back Sunday to give blood and let the kiddies round the bases.

Lenox Square Mall marks its 50th year celebrating the Fourth of July. The Legendary 4th of July Fireworks, Family and Fun kicks off its festivities at 4 p.m. even though the mall is opens at its regular time. The *FIREWORKS* are expected to start around 9:30 p.m. And for this event, MARTA is the best way to get there!

The 2009 Buckhead Beach Party is trucking in 50 tons of sand for what is being touted as Atlanta's largest Fourth of July Beach Party Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Live music starts at 2 p.m. with Drivin' N Cryin' headlining both days. There's a free shuttle Saturday to the Lenox Square fireworks and a Peachtree Road Race T-Shirt gets you in free, otherwise you'll need to get tickets. There's a limited number of $10 tickets available, but check their website for details. This is a 21 and up event.

The day's activities at Six Flags Over Georgia have been upgraded to include some boom! They are hosting a Fourth of July picnic Saturday with barbecued pulled pork, grilled hot dogs, baked potato salad, cold slaw, chips, rolls, dessert and beverage service all in a buffet-style. The luncheon does cost extra and is purchased separate from admission into the park. Then at 9:30 p.m., they light up the sky for their guests with *FIREWORKS!* And don't forget Six Flags White Water will also be open for the Fourth of July.

Stone Mountain Park is overflowing with patriotism, so much so they can't contain it to just one day, but three days of *FIREWORKS* and the Lasershow Spectacular with their 42nd Annual Fantastic Fourth Celebration. There is a $10 Special Parking fee for the weekend in addition to admission.

Lake Lanier Islands Resort hosts the 4th of July Gala Weekend & Fireworks Extravaganza with live entertainment at the Beach and Water Park and the what is being touted as the largest *FIREWORKS* display in North Georgia. Prices vary depending on where you go and what you do, so check the Lake Lanier Islands Resort website.

Callaway Gardens' celebration begins early and lasts into the night at their annual July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party. There are plethora of activities planned including live music at the beach featuring the fabulous Swingin' Medallions. Gates open at 7 a.m. and cost $25 for adults and $12.50 for the kids. Check out the Callaway Gardens website for more details and deals.

Decatur's July 4th Pied Piper Parade and *FIREWORKS* are a "go" Saturday. The parade steps off at 6 p.m. from the First Baptist Church of Decatur and ends at the Community Bandstand on the Square. That is followed closely by the Callanwolde Concert Band at 7 p.m. with the *FIREWORKS* shooting off around 9 p.m.

Red, White and Dunwoody! is a family festival and parade in Georgia's newest city. The parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. from Mount Vernon and Jett Ferry and proceeds 2.5 miles down Calico Corners and into the Dunwoody Village parking lot where the rest of the days fun begins with live entertainment, kids activities, BBQ, hotdogs, and much more.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra celebrates the Fourth at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre At Encore Park. The American Spirit comes alive when *FIREWORKS* mixes with the patriotic music conducted by Bridget Reischl with the U.S. Army Chorus.

Alpharetta's Fourth of July Celebration is at Wills Park this year. Family festivities and entertainment kick off at 5 p.m. with the *FIREWORKS* shooting off at dusk. Hey, there's free parking!

Roswell is holding its July 4th *FIREWORKS* Extravaganza at Roswell High School, located on King Road off of GA-92. Live music including 3 Way Street, Back Trax, and Banks & Shane begin at 5 p.m. and when it gets dark, a beautiful 40-minute *FIREWORKS* display. Just a reminder, Roswell High School is a drug, alcohol and tobacco free zone.

Marietta turns 175 years old this year and they want to do the Fourth of July just right this year. First up, is the parade which steps off at 10 a.m. at the Roswell Street Baptist Church and heads west to E. Park Square past Glover Park and the Square to Cherokee Street and ending up at North Marietta Parkway. I'm told this thing is huge with over 100 entries, about 20 floats and nearly 2,000 participants. After the parade, Glover Park will have live music, food and carnival fun. *FIREWORKS* begins around 9:30 p.m.

Kennesaw celebrates the Fourth of July on July 3rd. Live music from the Journey tribute band Frontiers is only topped by the patriotic *FIREWORKS* show. The fun all begins at 8 p.m. at the historic train Depot on Cherokee Street.

The City of Cumming has two days of fun-filled, patriotic activities for its Independence Day Celebration. It kicked off Friday night at 6 p.m. with various vendors including food, drink, inflatables for kids, a live band, and *FIREWORKS* starting around 9:30 p.m. The show is followed by an all-age dance contest. Then hit the sack because starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, the fun begins all over again. The famous Steam Engine Parade steps off at 10 a.m. ending up at the Fairgrounds around noon. The festival wraps around 1 p.m. Saturday.

Power Springs kicks off their 14th Annual Independence Day Celebration at 4 p.m. in the Town Square. Live music, family activities, a patriotic program, and of course *FIREWORKS* rounds out the night.

Woodstock kicks off with the annual Freedom Run at 7:30 a.m. followed by the Main Street Parade at 10 a.m. Arts, Crafts, Food, Games, Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest (No joke! It's good times!) and the Georgia Blues Brothers show rounds out the day until the big finish... *FIREWORKS* which will be set off behind the Targert/Kohls on GA-92 at dusk.

Nash Farms Park in Henry County is bringing two days of patriotic celebration Friday and Saturday. Revolutionary scenes, live Colonial Music, dancing, crafts, festival food, and fun of the whole family. Live performances include Deep Forest Native American Indian Program, Royal North Carolina Artillery, Atlanta Baroque Dance, Patrick Henry, Betsy Ross, and more. Wait! Did I mention the *FIREWORKS?!*

The Mall of Georgia touts their Fourth of July celebration as being the largest *FIREWORKS* celebration in Gwinnett County and with live music, vendors, food, prizes, a kids zone, raffles, and a free movie screening of the "Independence Day" (how appropriate) following the *FIREWORKS,* they just might be right! It all kicks off at 2 p.m., but the mall opens at its regular time Saturday.

Duluth Celebrates America happens on Friday, despite the current economic situation (donation welcome!), at Scott Hudgens Park on Friday. Family-fun festivities kick off at 4 p.m. with live entertainment starting at 6 p.m. and *FIREWORKS* shooting off around 9:30 p.m.

So much is going on down in Newnan (as if they were in competition for the best Fourth of July event). They start the day off with a Market Day and The Annual Homemade Ice Cream Festival with homemade ice cream from local charities for $1 a scoop! (Any apple pie with that?) It gets better, with live music throughout the day. But wait, there's more! At 6 p.m., they have a parade working its way from the corner of Temple Avenue and Jackson Street through downtown and ending up at Newnan High School. At the conclusion of the parade, Drake Stadium will light up with *FIREWORKS!*

Peachtree City kicks off its Fourth of July Celebration with a parade winding through the heart of the city. A fire department expo begins at 2 p.m. at Drake Field by City Hall then a Plaza Gathering with food, games and vendors takes over at 5 p.m. with *FIREWORKS* launching around 9:30 p.m.

The Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers is the happening place with the Fabulous 4th Festival that includes day long events such as a Full Quarter Horse Show, the crowning of Miss July Fourth, and of course *FIREWORKS!*

Celebrate Braselton kicks off at 9 a.m. with vendors, music, food, and all the trimmings thoughout the day. A parade starts at 10 a.m. through downtown. *FIREWORKS* will be brought by Chateau Elan starting at dusk. Thank you Richard Mayberry for the heads up!

The Atlanta Motor Speedway plays host to a special night in their Friday Night Drag series with *FIREWORKS* and a Harley Davidson show (or as I call it "vroom and boom!").

Dawson Day Thunder in the Sky *FIREWORKS* Extravaganza Independence Day Celebration at Rock Creek Park in Dawsonville. Need I say more? Well beside the plethora of carnival food, there will also be plenty of family fun and live music starts at 6 p.m. with The Frogz. Free parking is available at Rock Creek Park, River Park Canoe Launch and Riverview Middle School. Free shuttle service will be provided to and from the event from off-site parking. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the *FIREWORKS* begin at dark.

A golden Fourth of July is expected in Dahlonega. The 4th of July Family Celebration will be held in the historic town square with live music all day, a pet show, patriotic ceremony, community reading of the U.S. Constitution, car show, watermelon cutting, a parade (at 5 p.m.), and a Spectacular *FIREWORKS* Display being shot from NGCSU Campus around 9 p.m.

The Georgian mountain town with a touch of Bavaria goes all American this weekend with bluegrass, brew, boom, and ballooning?! Yep, it's not necessarily your typical Fourth of July, but with the line up that the Helen area brings this year, it's sure to be a Fourh for the record books (somebody get me an apple pie!). *FIEWORKS begins at dusk.

The North Georgia Mountains will thunder Saturday at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. This *FIREWORKS* celebration promises "thousands of pyrotechnics" for friends and family.

Auburn, Georgia is rounding up the community for the July 4th Festival and Fireworks starting at 3 p.m. with food, live entertainment, vendors and fun for everyone! Not to mention *FIREWORKS!*

Clayton County's International Park "The Beach" in Jonesboro is open for the Fourth of July. They will have a variety of entertainment and *FIREWORKS* launching at dusk. Admission is $10 per person.

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is hosting a Fourth Family & Friends Fun Day Saturday. Food, Games, Rides, Rock Climbing, Live Music, a Bake-Off Contest, and even *FIREWORKS!* Parking is $10 with walk-ups being $5 and game bands also being $5.

Douglasville launch their *FIREWORKS* around 9 p.m. at the West Pines Golf Course and can been seen from the parking lot of Arbor Place Mall. Also, July 3rd, Douglasville is hosting a free screening of Footloose at O'Neal Plaza in Downtown Douglasville (in case you need to brush up on your Six-Degrees of Kevin Bacon skills).

And the Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge will hear the sounds of whippoorwills and owls as you watch *FIREWORKS!* Of course, *FIREWORKS* are not allowed inside the park, but you can watch the various displays from across the area at the top the Mountain. It's $10 to get in plus $5 to park. (Personally, I'd bring some insect repellent!)

And just because there's no BOOM! doesn't mean that the following Fourth of July events still can't make some noise:

The Annual Peachtree Road Race steps off from Lenox Square Mall and winds about 6.2 miles down Peachtree Road to 10th street and ending once again at Piedmont Park. Starting at 6 a.m., the race course will be closed or restricted to traffic, so MARTA is the best bet to get around. Park Tavern, The Nook and a few other places are throwing after parties for the racers until 1 p.m.

The National Museum of Patriotism is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (which leaves plenty of time to take MARTA to meet all of us at Centennial Olympic Park for the *FIREWORKS*) with plenty of activities all day long including a ringing of the Liberty Bell, a re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and plenty of patriotic children activities.

Griffin is hosting its annual Fourth of July parade stepping off sometime after 9:30 a.m. from Griffin Tech.

Tracing the indelible imprint of African Americans as part of the history of our great country, America I Am continues its run this Fourth of July weekend at the Atlanta Civic Center.

The Chastain Park Civic Association presents their 2nd Annual 4th of July Parade and Fun Fest. The parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. from the Art Center on W. Wieauca and ends up at the pool. Live music, snow cones, games, contests, prizes and fun for the whole family follow the parade.

Atlantic Station is celebrating the Fourth with "The Mouse" as the Radio Disney Road Crew brings games, music, giveaways, and live bands until 5 p.m. And don't forget that Atlantic Station still has the weekly Art & Antique Market as well as Dialogue in the Dark and Bodies... The Exhibition.

Behind Closed Doors: Underwear and "At Home" Attire -- A Civil War Era Civilian Exhibit presented by PNJW Collections is an exhibit that will feature original examples of Civil War era women, men and children's underclothing as well as women's wrappers and men's dressing gowns. The exhibit run into its first weekend of a month long stay at the Smith Plantation Home this Fourth of July weekend.

McDonough hosts their July 4th Ice Cream Social. Enjoy free ice cream while participating in a patriot program to celebrate America and salute those that fight to keep it free.

"The Fred" in Peachtree City brings back a more innocent time in America's history with a 50's Sock Hop & Rock n Roll Revival kicking off the weekend Friday night.

Athens has the first annual RED, WHITE & BREWGRASS FESTIVAL hosted by Packway Handle Band and The Melting Point kicks off Saturday. The festival will feature featuring 14 bluegrass acts on two intimate stages. Doors open at 12 p.m. and tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of, and $10 with a valid student ID. This is an 18 and up event.

Lawrenceville's 5th Annual "Prelude to the 4th" helps kick of the Fourth of July weekend on Friday on the lawn of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse with a special, outdoor concert version of Cole Porter's classic Broadway farce, Anything Goes.

Two new additions to Zoo Atlanta will be out to monkey-ing around this Fourth of July weekend. George and Kinshasa are Angolan Colobus monkeys and they make their debut this weekend along with a special offer from the Zoo to "Beat The Heat" with $5 off general admission for those who visit before 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during the month of July.

And Moore in America continues this weekend at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. English sculptor Henry Moore's monumental works of art accent the blossoming landscape of the gardens. I'm told this is a great Fourth of July day event.

While patriotism isn't the focus, there's a bunch of performances you might just find to your liking:

311 with special guest Ziggy Marley and The Expendables are all at the Lakewood Amphitheatre on Saturday evening.

John Legend with India.Arie and Vaughn Anthony take the state the Fifth as part of the Classic Chastain Concert Series.

The 90'z Throwback Summer Jam with Heads of State: Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill & Ralph Tresvant with SWV & Next kicks it old school at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on Friday night.

The Beards of Comedy Tour shaves its way into Atlanta through Sunday. Dave Stone, Andy Sandford, TJ Young, and Joe Zimmerman all stand up at the Laughing Skull with eight shows through Sunday.

The Punchline Comedy Club explodes... with energy. Dale Jones performs through Sunday and a Peachtree Road Race number gets you in free all weekend.

An Atlanta Metromix.com pick, the Whole World Improv Theatre gives two patriot shows Thursday and Friday with a "Pay What You Can" night Thursday and Special Main Stage Performance Friday. The stage is dark Saturday observance of the holiday. A Military ID gets you in free all weekend.

Yacht Rock plays Park Tavern for a Free Fourth of July day concert Saturday evening.

The Roswell Cultural Arts Center's series of Puppet Shows presents the Frog Prince presented by Bob Brown Puppets running Tuesday through Saturday.

One of the local favorites, the Skin Alley Cats plays the Norcross City Concert series at Thrasher Park Friday night.

Some sporting events happening this weekend include:

The Atlanta Dream hosting the Washington Mystics in a Friday night dance at Philips Arena.

And The 30th Annual USA Junior Olympic Boys Volleyball Championships runs through July 8th at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Did I forget something? Email me if so... And feel free to send your pictures of your weekend into us at photos@11alive.com We may even use them on the air!

Hey, we do this everyweekend, so check out 11Alive.com to plan your weekend. And you have an event, please feel free to email it to me.

Have a great weekend and a happy and SAFE Fourth of July!