Celebrate America's Independence With These Events!

Tuesday, July 3
Downtown Block Party. Main St., Fitchburg. 5 - 11 p.m. Main Street closes from Putnam St. to Academy St. starting at 4 p.m. Featuring live entertainment, international food court, basketball tournament, and kids games and activities at Monument Park. Also the area's largest assembly of antique and classic cars. 978-345-9550.
The Thayer Symphony Orchestra and Fitchburg's Fireworks. Crocker Field, Fitchburg. 9 p.m.
Fireworks. Franklin. Boston Soul Revue Show, 7 - 10 p.m. Fireworks at the Franklin High School Field, 10 p.m. 508-528-2494 or 508-528-3466.
Horribles Parade & Fireworks. Downtown Gloucester. 6 p.m. Bands from all over the country, floats, and people in costumes compete for prizes and trophies. Traditional fireworks after the parade at 10 p.m. 978-283-1601. thegloucesterfund.org.
4th of July Concert. Grafton Town Common, Grafton. 6 p.m. Enjoy the US Air Force Band of Liberty. E-mail graftonlionsma@yahoo.com.
Fourth of July Horribles Parade. Maple St., Mendon. Time TBA. Children in costume parade to the Fire Station. BBQ, fire truck tour, hose demo. 508-473-5330.
Fireworks. Windle Field, Millbury. Dusk. Also 7/4. Rain Date: 7/5.
Needham 2007 Celebration. Memorial Park, Needham. Food tents, 5 - 8:45 p.m.; Hometown folk & blues band, 5 - 7 p.m.; Children's Entertainment, 5 - 7 p.m.; Reminisants Concert, 7 - 9:15 p.m.; Fireworks, dark. needhamexchangeclub.org.
July 4th Celebration. Behind the Fire Station, Rutland. Chicken BBQ, 4:30 p.m.; Strawberry Festival, 5 p.m.; Band Concert, 7 p.m.; Fireworks, 9:20 Memorial Field.
Family Fun Beach Events. Sharon. Potato sack races, tug-o-war, and other wacky relays at Memorial Park Beach, Lake Massapoag, 2 p.m.; Bicycle & Doll Carriage Parade at Beech Tree Park, 3:45 p.m. The parade travels on Beach St. to the bandstand. DJ, music, and entertainment. Lakeside Celebration at Memorial Park Beach, 4 - 9:30 p.m. Bandstand concert 7 - 9 p.m. Spectacular Fireworks over Lake Massapoag at 9:30 p.m. Worcester's Fourth of July. Cristoforo Park, Shrewsbury St., Worcester. Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m. Fireworks accompanied by Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and Sousa marches, 9:30 p.m. 508-753- 2924. Rain Date: Thurs. 7/5.

Wednesday, July 4
Fireworks. Nara Park, Acton. Lois Greco Band performs before the display. 978-264-9608.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. Hatch Shell, Charles River Esplanade,
Boston. 8:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Free outdoor concerts includes patriotic favorites. 888-484-7677. July4.org.
Independence Day. Concord Museum. Celebrate Independence Day with a visit to the Museum. A rare opportunity to see the Museum's 1824 facsimile edition of the original Declaration of Independence. This is one of an edition of only 200 facsimiles printed by order of John Quincy Adams on parchment from a copperplate prepared by engraver W. I. Stone. A$10, Y (6-17) $6, Under 5 free. Also on July 4th, stop by the Museum booth at Picnic in the Park, the annual celebration held at Emerson Field, 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. concordmuseum.org.
Concord Celebrates the 4th. Picnic in the Park at Emerson Field: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Concord Band plays at 3 p.m. 978-369-9763. 978-369-3120.
Annual 4th of July Parade. Downtown Fitchburg. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Parade starts at 10 a.m. from the Bernardian Bowl, going down Summer St. onto Main St. and ending at the Upper Common. Bands, floats, and fun for the whole family. One of the region's last and largest 4th of July Parades. 978-345-9550.
Children's Parade. Franklin Town Common. For children newborn - Gr. 5. Register, 12 p.m. for the 1 p.m. parade. Okey-Dokey DJ Bob Brown, 12 - 4 p.m. ; The New Orleans Jazz Band, 4 - 6 p.m. Closing ceremonies/lowering of the Flag, Church Sq., end of Common, 6 p.m. 508-528-2494 or 508-528-3466.
49th Annual Hingham 4th of July Road Race. 7 a.m. Pancakes at the Hingham Common from 7 - 9:45 a.m. Parade at 10 a.m. Starts at Hingham High School. 781-741-1464.
Independence Day Fireworks & Concert. Crane Estate, Ipswich. 4 - 10 p.m. Children's activities include a Boston Children's Theatre performance, How to Eat Like a Child, and Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown-up, at 5 p.m. Tickets available in advance online, or at the gate: A$25, C$15 (NM). 978-412-2555. thetrustees.org. craneestate.org. Rain Date: 7/5.
July Fourth Celebration at Tanglewood: The New Cars. Tanglewood, Lenox. 7 p.m. The New Cars - comprising original members of the successful and influential new wave band The Cars - will perform at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Fireworks to follow. tanglewood.org.
July 4th Festivities. Lincoln. An old-fashioned Fire Fighters Pancake breakfast (7 - 9 a.m.) in the Brooks School Gymnasium. Park in Codman Pool Parking area. A$4, C under 10 free. Register for the "Firecracker Run" Road Races at 8:45 a.m. A $12, C 12 and under $8. Children's bicycle parade (10 a.m.) on Lincoln Rd. Decorate your bikes! A small- town parade along Lincoln Rd. (10:40 a.m.). Free swim with music, fun, and prizes at the Codman Pool (12 - 7:30 p.m.). Family soccer game on the Center Field (1 p.m.), Patriotic Sing-Along (8:45 p.m.), and Fireworks next to Codman Pool, 9 a.m. Park before 8:30 p.m. $15 donation requested. Fireworks Rain Date: July 5. lincoln-ma.com.
Fireworks. Windle Field, Millbury. Dusk. Rain Date: 7/5.
Claflin Hill's Independence Day Spectacular Concert. Plains Park, Route 85, Cedar St., Milford. 5 p.m. Fireworks, 10 p.m. Arrive early and make it a "family picnic" event. 508-478-5924. claflinhill.org.
Natick 4th. Parade starts at 9 a.m. at Rt. 9/27 Plaza, then comes down Rt. 27 into Natick Center. Parade then goes East on Rt. 135/ E.Central Street. 508-397-9493. natick4th.org.
Needham 2007 Celebration. Needham. Register for children's parade, 8:30 a.m., at Greene's Field. Wear costumes; decorate bikes; Annual 3-Mile Road Race, 8 a.m., at Needham Heights Post Office; Grand Parade, 9 a.m.; Craft Fair and Flea Market, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Children's Races and Contests, 12:30 p.m., at the Football Field; Open Swim Meet, 2 p.m., at Rosemary Pool; Needham Little League All-Star Game, 2 p.m., at Memorial Park #2. needhamexchangeclub.org.
Fourth of July Festivities. Newton. Kids Morning at Newton Centre Playground. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Grande pet parade, teddy bear parade, decorated doll carriage promenade, foot races, and free candy, drinks and ice cream. Fireworks at Albemarle Field: open air market and amusement rides from 10 a.m. - dusk. Picnic and Big Band Sounds at 6 p.m. 617-796-1540. 617-527-8283. ci.newton.ma.us.
America's Hometown 4th of July Celebration. South and North Streets., Pittsfield. 11:30 a.m. The 2007 "Reach for the Stars" parade is the largest 4th of July parade in America. More than 100 floats, marching bands, and participants. An old-fashioned family Picnic On The Common follows with craft/food booths and entertainment. 413-447-7763, info@ pittsfieldparade.com, or berkshireweb.com.
Parade, Concert, Fireworks in Downtown Plymouth. 508-747-1620. seeplymouth.com.
July 4th Celebrations. Rutland. Grand Marshal/Celebrity Pancake Bfast at the Rutland Community Center, 7 a.m. - Noon; Power to Dream Parade, 2 p.m., Begins at Central Tree Middle School and ends at Prescott St.
Shrewsbury Celebrates. Dean Park, Shrewsbury. Noon- 4 p.m. Food, doll carriage and bike parade at 12:30 p.m., disk jockey and game show, Sunny the clown, face painting, and inflatable rides. $8 wrist band needed for rides. 508-841-8503.
Star Spangled Springfield. Court Square, Springfield. 7:30 p.m. on the steps of City Hall, featuring the United States Air Force Liberty Pops. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. from the Memorial Bridge w/musical simulcast on ROCK 102, live musical entertainment and food. 413-733-3800. spiritofspringfield.org.
Independence Day Celebration. Old Sturbridge Village. 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Rousing reading of the Declaration of Independence, music, marching, mustering, and old-fashioned fun and games. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the Common. A$20, Y (3-17) $6, Under 3 free. 800- SEE-1830.osv.org.
Sudbury Parade. Union Ave. to Rt. 20 to Concord Rd. to Town Hall, Sudbury. 1 p.m.
Happy Birthday USA Family Day. Spellman Stamp Museum, 235 Wellesley St., Weston. Noon - 4 p.m. Stamp hunts, special philatelic games w/prizes, etc. Free snacks w/ admission. Ice cream $1. A $5, Sr/St $3, under 16 free. 781-768-8367. spellman.org.

Saturday, July 7
All American Patriotic Pops Program. Claflin Hill Summer Winds at The Daniels Farmstead , 286 Mendon St., Blackstone. 7:30 p.m. Enjoy music of Aaron Copland, Glenn Miller, John Phillip Sousa, and music from "Les Miserables," "Saving Private Ryan" and numerous other Fourth of July patriotic favorites. Free. Open to the publc. 508-478-5924.claflinhill.org.
Fireworks and Live Music. Clinton Middle School, Route 110, Clinton. Sponsored by the Clinton Fire Dpt. Live music TBA. 978-365- 4165. Rain date: July 8.
Bangma's Farm Independence Day Celebration. 504 W. Hartford Ave., Uxbridge. 5 p.m. Fireworks, 9:30 p.m. Rain Date: July 8.