It's time for floats, flags and fireworks as the region celebrates Independence Day. In many communities, the festivities begin today and run through the weekend. A sampling of what's in store includes:

LAKE COUNTY

CEDAR LAKE

Cedar Lake Summerfest opens its four-day run today on the town grounds, 7408 Constitution Ave. Daily activities include carnival rides on the midway, live entertainment, contests, food booths, a parade, two fireworks shows and two laser light shows.

Hours are 2 p.m. to midnight today. Highlights include special activities for senior citizens beginning at 2, a Summerfest Sport Cups Stacking Tournament from 5 to 9 and entertainment from 6 to 11:30. The midway opens at 5. There are fireworks on the lake at 9:30.

Summerfest runs from noon to midnight Friday with plenty of entertainment starting at 3 and going until midnight. There are fireworks on the lake at 9:30.

The festival is open from noon to midnight Saturday. The parade leaves at 10 a.m. from Hanover Central High School, ending at the town grounds, 7408 Constitution Ave. Independence Day highlights include the Great Cedar Lake Cardboard Boat race at 12:30, kid games at 3, a bathing beauty contest at and a laser light show at 9:30. The midway opens at noon.

The festival wraps up Sunday, but not before offering a full day of activities, starting with a pancake and sausage breakfast at 7 a.m. There's a car show, a talent show and citizen of the year awards. The midway and beer garden open at noon. It concludes with a laser light show at 9:30 p.m. and the closing celebration at 10.

For a complete schedule, go online at http://www.cedarlakesummerfest.com.

CROWN POINT

Crown Point's annual Fourth of July parade steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday at Taft Middle School, 1000 S. Main St., and heads north on Main Street. There is a fireworks show at dusk at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

EAST CHICAGO

East Chicago's Independence Day celebration is tonight at East Chicago Marina. It runs from 7 to 11. and features the music of Abraxas. There are fireworks at dusk.

GRIFFITH

The Griffith Special Events Committee sponsors the town parade, which steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, traveling south on Broad Street from Pine to Main. The theme is One Town, One Nation, One People.

HAMMOND

Hammond's yearly Independence Day celebration is Saturday in Harrison Park at Hohman Avenue and Waltham Street. There are food vendors and music beginning at 2 p.m. The library hosts a patriotic music concert in the band shell starting 5:15 and at 6 a naturalization ceremony. The music of the Bill Porter Orchestra will follow. The band continues to play during the fireworks display by BaDaBoom! Pyrotechnics at dusk. Admission is free.

HIGHLAND

Highland's Fourth of July celebration is a four-day party, sponsored by the Highland Special Event Advisory Committee, at Main Square Park. Admission is free.

The festival includes rides, food vendors, arts and craft booths and a variety of musical acts that run from 4 p.m. to midnight tonight, noon to midnight on Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday at Main Square Park, Ridge Road at Fifth Street.

The Citizens Financial one-mile race through the town's streets kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Runners of all ages can register on the day of the race beginning at 5 near the School Town of Highland's administration building at the corner of Kennedy Avenue and 40th Street. Registration is $9 per runner.

The Twilight Parade kicks off immediately after the Citizens Financial race at St. James the Less Catholic Church at 45th Street and Kennedy Avenue. The parade will move north on Kennedy Avenue, east on Highway Avenue and terminate at Main Square Park.

There is a kiddie parade at 11 a.m. Saturday and fireworks at 9 p.m. at Homestead Park, 8000 Parrish Ave.

For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.highland.in.gov/specialevents/july4th.htm.

Our Lady of Grace holds its 12th annual Beer Garden Festival from 6 p.m. to midnight through Sunday at 3025 Highway Ave. Beer and other beverages, and Langel's Food Court, will be available.

HOBART

School City of Hobart Superintendent Peggy Buffington serves as this year's grand marshal at the city's annual Fourth of July parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The parade starts at Mundell Field then heads east on Third Street to Main Street, north on Main Street to Old Ridge Road, west on Old Ridge Road to Wisconsin Street, south on Wisconsin Street finishing at Mundell Field.

Other Fourth of July activities include a Brickyard Run and 2 Mile Fun Walk at the new Hobart High School at 7 a.m.; a baby Olympics, watermelon eating, spelling bee and fence painting, all at 6 p.m. and a fireworks display at Festival Park at 9:30.

LAKE STATION

Lake Station holds its parade at 5 p.m. on Friday. It leaves from Columbus Park, 29th Avenue and Clay Street and heads east on 29th Avenue then on to DeKalb Street then Central Avenue and ending at Pike Street.

The fireworks display will be at dusk on Saturday at Riverview Park off Ind. 51.

MERRILLVILLE

Motorcycle riders from many states will converge on VFW Post 1563 on Friday for a rally, hog and corn roast, music, vendors, free tent camping, and more. A three-hour ride to the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Mich., will leave at 5 a.m. sharp on Saturday. The $25 per bike fee includes food and entertainment. The rally fee is $10 per person and includes food and entertainment. For more information, call (219) 781-5776.

Holiday events including magic show, a beer garden, food vendors and paddleboating are Friday and Saturday at Hidden Lake Park, 6355 Broadway, Merrillville. Fireworks are at 9 p.m. both nights.

The parade leaves at 11 a.m Saturday at Geisen Funeral Home, 7905 Broadway, and will travel north on Broadway to 68th Place.

MUNSTER

Munster's two-day holiday celebration starts with a performance by the Northwest Indiana Symphony, sponsored by The Community Hospital, at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Centennial Park. Food vendors open at 6 p.m. Fireworks, sponsored by the Munster Civic Foundation, follow at 9:15. The parade steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fisher Street and Calumet Avenue.

SCHERERVILLE

The town of Schererville and the Schererville Parks Department will host a fireworks show at dusk tonight at Rohrman Park, Cline Avenue and 77th Street. Food and music are offered beginning at 7.

WHITING

Whiting celebrates the 90th anniversary of its Fourth of July Parade. The parade is from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday down Indianapolis Boulevard from 116th Street to 119th Street.

PORTER COUNTY

HEBRON

The Hebron Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July fireworks are at dusk on Friday on the north side of Hebron schools. Enter at the main entrance to the schools. The parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and will start at the Country Square Mall on Ind. 2 and continue south on Main Street then turn west onto Ind. 231 at Walgreens and disperse in the area of Harry Brown Trucking. After the parade there will be a turtle derby in the parking lot of First Source Bank. There is a flag raising following the turtle derby.

PORTER/CHESTERTON

In conjunction with the Friends of Porter Fourth of July Festival in Hawthorne Park, the Chesterton Lions Club will be running the 70th annual turtle derby on Saturday at Hawthorne Park, 500 Ackerman Drive. Registration is at 9 a.m.; the first heat is at 10. There will be five heats total, with first-, second- and third-place winners of the final heat will receive a trophy and prize.

Bring your own turtles, but no snapping turtles. The Lions Club will serve a pancake breakfast.

PORTAGE

The Pride in Portage Committee is sponsoring the Portage's Fourth of July Parade beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday. The evening's festivities will begin at 4 at Trumble Field with food vendors and family activities.

Featured will be Fantasy Cakes trying to build the world's largest cupcake for the Guinness Book of World Records. There will be live music on the field from 4 to 6. The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra will perform an outdoor concert from 7:30 to 9:30 and the evening will close with a fireworks display from Melrose Pyrotechnics.

SOUTH HAVEN

American Legion Post 502 hosts a parade at 4 p.m. Saturday. The lineup starts at 3 at Paul Saylor School on Midway Drive. The parade ends at the American Legion. Hot dogs and pop will be provided to all participants after the parade along with awards. Call (219) 759-2121 if interested in participating.

VALPARAISO

Festivities begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 1600 Roosevelt Road, with performances by The Conservadellics and the Valparaiso High School Band. The evening will conclude with fireworks at dusk.

ILLINOIS

CALUMET CITY

Freedom's Eve celebration begins at 5 p.m. Friday with a children's carnival at the Superior Street Complex behind Thornton Fractional North High School, 755 Pulaski Road. The fireworks are set to begin at 9:15.

GLENWOOD

Glenwood's annual event starts with a parade at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at 191st and Cottage Grove Avenue. It winds its way to the Village Hall. A children's parade begins at 9:45 a.m. at Brookwood Junior High and merges with the main parade. Other festivities are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Village Hall. Fireworks will be at dusk at Glenwoodie Golf Course, 19301 State St.

LANSING

Lansing has its Grand Ole Fourth celebration with food booths beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday at Lan-Oak Park at 180th and Arcadia. The fireworks show is at dusk.

SAUK VILLAGE

Sauk Village's festivities begin at 4 p.m. Sunday at Veterans Park, behind Village Hall at 21701 Torrence Ave. Live entertainment and food vendors will be available and the fireworks show is at dusk.

SOUTH HOLLAND

South Holland's celebration begins with a rib fest at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and includes family activities all day long at Veterans Memorial Park, 160th Place and South Park Avenue, including children's games, the annual softball game between town employees and the South Holland Ministerial Association, and a Flea Circus Magic Show. The fireworks show will be at 9:15 p.m.

THORNTON

Thornton's fireworks are shot off at dusk Saturday at Hubbard Park behind Wolcott School, 200 N. Wolcott.