FREEDOM'S EVE | Calumet City

The Calumet Memorial Park District, in conjunction with the city of Calumet City, will present Freedom's Eve on Thursday at the Superior Street Complex, adjacent to Thornton Fractional North High School, 755 Pulaski Road in Calumet City. The Kiddie Karnival, featuring carnival games for kids, will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are 25 cents each or five for $1. The free Basketball Hot Shots Contest will be at 6 p.m. Live music by the legendary Ides of March will begin at 7 p.m. The fireworks display will be held at 9:15 p.m.

FYI: Call (708) 862-6443 or visit http://www.calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.

GRAND OLE 4TH | Lansing

Lan-Oak Park District will have its Grand Ole Fourth celebration Friday at Lan-Oak Park, 178th and 180th and Arcadia and Oakley. There will be carnival games and Taste of Lansing food booths open from 4 to 9 p.m. Good Times Band will perform from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Contests will take place throughout the day including a big bounce contest at 5:30 p.m., potato sack races at 6:30 p.m. and a watermelon eating contest at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m.

FYI: Call (708) 474-8552

75TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION | South Holland

South Holland has planned a day of fun for people of all ages at Veterans Park on Friday. The all-day event promises a day of food, friendly competition and entertainment.

Music lovers are in for a treat with the sweet harmonies and melodies of acts such as Mystic Fire, Zemrah & Co. and the South Holland Municipal Band.

A Rib Fest cook-off will kick off the day at 9 a.m. and will show off the skills of South Holland's finest grillmasters.

A fireworks display is scheduled for 9 p.m.

In between will be games for kids and adults, balloon designs, face painting and great food.

Free parking is available at five different locations near Veterans Park, at 160th Place and South Park Avenue.

FYI: Call (708) 708-210-2918 or visit http://www.southholland.org.

INDEPENDENCE DAY | Glenwood

The village of Glenwood will celebrate Independence Day with a parade that will begin at the Glenwood Plaza on South Halsted Street at 10:15 a.m. Friday and proceed to the Village Hall Complex at 1 Asselborn Way.

A children's parade also will be held for infants through children 12 years old. Participants must be accompanied by an adult and should line up in the Glenwood Oaks Restaurant parking lot, 106 N Main St., at 9:45 a.m. The children's parade will merge with the main parade when it reaches Main Street.

Prizes will be awarded for best decorated bike and wagon and for patriotic costumes.

Food, music, bingo and an interactive animal show will be among the different types of entertainment offered at the Village Hall Complex from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at dusk at the Glenwoodie Golf Course.

FAMILY FUN FEST | Homewood

Celebrate Independence Day with fun for the entire family at Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's annual Family Fun Fest on Friday. Family Fun Fest runs from noon to 3 p.m. at Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road. It features food, carnival games, six different inflatable attractions including waterslide and obstacle courses, interactive DJ entertainment and more. Tickets for games may be bought at Family Fun Fest. Cost of attractions and games ranges from 50 cents to $1.50. Wristbands also will be available this year for $12, allowing unlimited visits to games and attractions. Food and beverages will be available and are coordinated by the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve.

FYI: Call H-F Park District at (708) 957-PARK or visit http://www.hfparks.com.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY | Schererville

The town of Schererville and the Schererville Parks and Recreation Department will have fireworks at dusk Thursday at Rohrman Park. In the event of severe weather, the fireworks will be Friday. Food, music and fun begin at 7 p.m.

FYI: Call (219) 865-5530.

ALL AGES CELEBRATION | East Chicago

Mayor George Pabey presents the city's Independence Day celebration Thursday at the East Chicago Marina boardwalk. Latin Satin Soul will perform during the celebration for all ages. Fireworks by the Mad Bomber will be set off at dusk. Activities start at 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be available. The event is sponsored by Pabey, the marina and Ameristar Casino.

FYI: Call (219) 391-8200.

INDEPENDENCE PARADE | Griffith

The Griffith Special Events Committee sponsors the town's annual Independence Parade on Friday. The theme is "Proud to be ..." Applications are being accepted and are available at Town Hall and by phone. Monetary prizes ranging from $200 to $500 will be given to the top three floats and the top three bands performing. Line up at 9 a.m. in the lot at St. Mary Hildebrandt Hall, 525 N. Lafayette St. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and proceeds south on Broad Street from Pine to Main Street.

FYI: Call (219) 923-1648.

MUSIC, FIREWORKS | Hammond

The Hammond Parks and Recreation Department and the Hammond Public Library invite area residents to the city's yearly Independence Day Celebration on Friday in Harrison Park at Hohman Avenue and Waltham Street. The park is open all day for those with picnics or those who want to buy food from vendors starting at 2 p.m. The library hosts a patriotic concert in the band shell starting at 5:15 p.m., and at 6 p.m. a naturalization ceremony is planned. After the newest citizens are welcomed, enjoy the music of the Bill Porter Orchestra. The band continues to play during a fireworks display by BaDaBoom! Pyrotechnics as soon as it gets dark. Admission is free.

FYI: Call (219) 853-6378 or visit http://www.gohammond.com.

FREE FESTIVAL | Gary

The city of Gary's Fourth of July festival will move to the parking lot next to Bennigan's at 500 E. Fifth Ave. The musical entertainment includes Angela Winbush, DJ UNK, Blazed, 3 Piece, Ben One, Block Royal, Slave and Uneek. The free event, sponsored by Black Diamond Entertainment and the Mayor's Office of Special Events, is planned for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The parade kicks off the celebration at 9 a.m.

FYI: Call (219) 881-1314.

JOIN THE PARADE | Hobart

The Hobart 2008 4th of July Parade Committee has selected Hobart Hometown Pride as the theme for this year's parade, set for 10 a.m. Friday beginning at Mundell Field on Wisconsin Street. Longtime resident and community leader Virginia Curtis is the grand marshal. She is also chairwoman of the Community Improvement Committee and director of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce. The Indiana Air National Guard will conduct an F-16 flyover. The entry fee is $10, and applications are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Hobart Chamber of Commerce office, 1001 Lillian St. Parade awards will be presented to the winners before the evening's fireworks display at Festival Park. Award categories are Best Parade Theme Float, Best Organization Float, Best Commercial Float, Best High School Marching Band, Best Patriotic Costume Entry, Best Youth Group, Best Bicycle Entry, Best Horse Entry and Judges' Choice.

FYI: Call (219) 942-5774.

PYROTECHNIC SHOW | Munster

The town of Munster will put on its annual fireworks show starting at 9:15 p.m. Thursday at Munster High School, 8808 Columbia Ave. Its annual Independence Day parade will start at 2 p.m. Friday at the corner of Lions Club Drive and and Calumet Avenue and proceed north on Calumet to Ridge Road, then east to the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts.

FYI: Call (219) 836-8810 or visit http://www.ci.munster.in.us/.

SHOW SUPPORT | Cedar Lake

The starting point for Cedar Lake's annual Fourth of July Parade has been moved this year. Entries will line up at 9 a.m. Friday, and the parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Jane Ball Elementary School, 13313 Parrish Ave., due to the ongoing construction on 133rd Avenue in front of the high school. The town's volunteer fire department is hosting this year's parade, with the theme Support Volunteers. Participating entries should give a brief description of their organization/business and what type of entry they will sponsor. Categories include marching units, color guards, floats, displays, horses and riders, motorized vehicles and motorcycles. Completed entry forms should be mailed to the Cedar Lake Fire Department, Attn. Nick Mager Jr., P.O. Box 459, Cedar Lake, IN 46303, or faxed to (219) 374-5999.

FYI: Call (219) 374-5961 for a parade form.

LET FREEDOM RING | Lake Station

Lake Station Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Fourth of July Parade, with the theme Let Freedom Ring, at 5 p.m. Thursday. Trophy categories are Best of Parade, one $200 winner, and first, second and third place for Best Band Group, Best Business Float, Best Organizational Float, Best Private Special Edition Car, Best Company Special Edition Car, Best Organizational Motor Group, Best Marching/Walking Unit, Best Performing Unit, Best Private or Political Walking Group and Best Individual or Organizational Nonmotorized Unit. Entries should begin lining up at 4 p.m. at Columbus Park, 29th and Clay Street. The parade route will travel east to DeKalb Street, north to Central Avenue, east to Ripley Street and south to Riverview Park, where prizes will be awarded. Completed entry forms and fee, $10 for nonprofit groups and $25 for others, must be received by Sunday. A fireworks display will begin at dusk at Riverview Park, 2701 Ripley St.

FYI: Call Robert Jonaitis at (219) 962-1700 or Bill Eaton at (219) 962-1987.

MAIN STREET PARADE | Crown Point

Crown Point's annual Fourth of July Parade will start at 2 p.m. Friday at Taft Middle School, 1000 S. Main St., and head north on Main Street. Entries should line up at 1 p.m.

FYI: call (219) 662-3290.

PARADE | Valparaiso

Valparaiso's second July Fourth parade and celebration begin at 11:20 a.m. at Valparaiso University's Athletic Recreational Center, or ARC, on Union Street. The parade will proceed down Union Street to Morgan Street and end up at Will Park. Parade organizers invite families, groups of friends, clubs and organizations alike to get out the kazoos and other noisemakers and join the parade. Parade participants will begin to line up at 11 a.m. in the large parking lot across from the ARC. The celebration will continue at Will Park. From noon to 4 p.m. there will be food, live music, games and kids' crafts. The music lineup includes The Oxcart Ramblers, Planetary Blues, The Hoosier Recruits, and James and Stacy Cannon. All proceeds from the event will help support community programs at the Reiner Community Center.

FYI: Call (219) 464-9997.

ANNUAL PARADE | Portage

The annual Portage Fourth of July Parade will step off at 11 a.m. July Fourth from the Aylesworth Elementary School parking lot, 5910 Central Ave. The parade will continue south down Willowcreek Road and end at Lute Road. Parade applications are available at the mayor's office, 6070 Central Ave., or at RE/MAX Hometown Professionals, 3200 Willowcreek Road. The fireworks again will be provided by Melrose Pyrotechnics and will start about 9 p.m. at the Willowcreek Middle School football field, 5962 Central Ave. The Portage parks department again will offer refreshments for a fee and will provide activities prior to the fireworks.

FYI: Call (219) 762-1675 or (219) 762-5425.

TIMELESS PARADE | South Haven

South Haven American Legion Post 502 will host the Fourth of July parade again this year at 4 p.m. Friday. Participants can use any era to reflect the Fourth of July theme. The parade will end at the American Legion, 429 W. County Road 750 North, where participants will be treated to hot dogs and pop. Awards will be given at that time.

FYI: Call (219) 759-2121.