Fourth of July events for the FOX6 viewing area

Check out a sampling of Fourth of July events happening this week around the FOX6 viewing area.

July 3:

Vestavia Hills, I Love America Summer Celebration Series, Vestavia Hills Civic Center & Wald Park, 6 p.m.

Free admission to a variety of events including swimming, kids activities, patriotic music by the Shades Mountain Baptist Orchestra, and a screening of "Rio" http://www.vestaviahills.org/

Chelsea, The Big Kaboom, Chelsea Park, 8 p.m.

The Big Kaboom begins at 8 p.m. but come early with your lawn chair and blankets to get a prime viewing spot. Fireworks are set off at 9 p.m. Vendors will be on site selling food. http://www.cityofchelsea.com/page69.html

July 4:

Thunder on the Mountain 2012

Birmingham's traditional fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. This free display lasts 20 minutes. The best viewing areas include Southsie, Five Points South, downtown Homewood, the UAB campus and Mountain Brook http://www.myfoxal.com/story/18934523/thunder-on-the-mountain-2012

Oxford, Freedom Festival, Oxford Lake Park, all day (fireworks at 9 p.m.)

This all-day event  includes a lake ramble, patriotic childrens' parade, pet show, swim races and of course fireworks. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/events/191902280939028/

Greenwood (West Jefferson), 12th Annual Greenwood 4th of July Parade, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m

The parade will begin at the intersection of Dickey Springs and Springdale Road and finish at the end of Springdale Road. Attendees should line up in the yards along Dickey Springs. Bring cold drinks, popsicles and treats to share.

Tuscaloosa, July 4th Celebration on the River, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, 7 p.m. (gates open)

Gates open at 7 p.m. in anticipation of a patriotic pops concert at 7:30 p.m. by the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. Beforehand, family-friendly events start at 4 p.m. and run until 7 p.m. Attendees can enjoy tug-of-war, water balloon tossing, sack races, laser tag, a bounce house, face painting, magicians, a kids sized train and a rock-climbing wall.

The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. accompanied by the Tuscaloosa Symphony. Tickets are $5 or $15 for a family four pack, and kids under 5 get in free. For more detailed information, visit: http://www.tuscaloosaamphitheater.com/event.php?cn=319. Hint: To find tickets, search "Tuscaloosa Amphitheater" on the main Ticketmaster website.

Montevallo, American Village Independence Day 1776, 7:15 p.m.

Fourth of July evening events begin at 7:15 p.m. with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and finishes with a fireworks show "after twilight's last gleaming." Visit http://www.americanvillage.org/site/DocServer/IndependenceDay2012Program_web.pdf?docID=161 to read more about the day's events.

Birmingham, UAB Summer Band July 4 Concert, 7:30 p.m.

This free concert will take place on the Bartow Arena lawn. The hour-long concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner. Stick around after the concert to watch Thunder on the Mountain.

http://www.uab.edu/news/latest/item/2495-uab-summer-band-free-july-4-concert-back-at-bartow-lawn

Harpersville, Music and Fireworks in the Vineyards, 6 p.m.

Enjoy music, barbecue, a vineyard tour and wine tasting at Morgan Creek Vineyards. The night's events will end with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person (children are welcome) and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.  http://www.morgancreekwinery.com/Events.aspx

Talladega, Talladega's Annual Celebration and Fireworks Show, Veterans' Park, dusk

The fireworks won't begin until the sun goes down, but come out as early as 6 p.m. to enjoy live jazz music, a kids' area with inflatables and vendors.

http://www.talladegachamber.com/newsletter.htm

Cullman, Smith Lake Park, 9 p.m.

http://www.cullmancountyparks.com/events.htm

Gadsden, along the Coosa River, 9 p.m.

Prime viewing spots for this free event are the boat dock at Gadsden State Community College, Moragne Park, near the Convention Hall and any parking lot of the shops in East Gadsden near the river.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20120629/ENT/120629792

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