It's floats and fireworks. Parades and patriotism.

It's the Fourth of July, and, in many communities across the region, the birthday bash is not limited to Independence Day alone. The celebration begins July 3 and runs through the weekend. A sampling of what's in store includes:

LAKE COUNTY

CEDAR LAKE | Cedar Lake Summerfest opens its four-day run July 3 on the town grounds, 7408 Constitution Ave. Daily activities include carnival rides on the midway, live entertainment, contests, food booths, parades and two fireworks shows.

Hours July 3 are 2 p.m. to midnight. Highlights include special activities for senior citizens beginning at 2 p.m., a Summerfest Sport Cups Stacking Tournament from 5 to 9 p.m. and a performance by American English from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. The midway opens at 5 p.m.

Summerfest runs from 10 a.m. to midnight Friday. The parade leaves at 10 a.m. from Jane Ball Elementary School, 13313 Parrish Ave., and travels to the town grounds. Independence Day highlights include the Great Cedar Lake Cardboard Boat race at 12:30 p.m., the band Nawty at 8 p.m. and a laser show at 9:30 p.m. The midway opens at noon.

It's an afternoon full of contests Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m. Summerfest hours Saturday are noon to midnight. The midway and beer garden open at noon. Entertainment on Saturday night includes Marrakesh Express at 8 p.m. and Bedlam Brother at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks are shot off over the lake at 9:30 p.m.

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 fireworks on the lake at 9:30 p.m. and the closing celebration at 10 p.m.

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

FYI: Call (219) 374-5961 about the parade and 374-4444 about the festival.

CROWN POINT | Crown Point's annual Fourth of July parade steps off at 2 p.m. Friday at Taft Middle School, 1000 S. Main St., and heads north on Main Street. Entries should line up at 1 p.m. There is a fireworks show at dusk at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

FYI: call (219) 662-3290.

EAST CHICAGO | The city's Independence Day celebration is July 3 at the East Chicago Marina boardwalk. Latin Satin Soul performs from 7 to 11 p.m. in a free concert. Fireworks by the Mad Bomber are at dusk. Food and drinks will be available.

FYI: Call (219) 391-8200.

GRIFFITH | The Griffith Special Events Committee sponsors the town's annual Independence Parade on Friday. The theme is "Proud to be ..."

Lineup is 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.

GARY | Gary's Fourth of July festival is in 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.

HAMMOND | The Hammond parks department and the Hammond Public Library host the city's yearly Independence Day celebration 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 bandshell starting at 5:15 p.m., and at 6 p.m. a naturalization ceremony is planned. After the newest citizens are welcomed, the Bill Porter Orchestra performs. 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 gohammond.com.

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

The festival opened Wednesday and runs through Sunday. Tonight's schedule runs from 5 p.m. to midnight with entertainment, and the Citizens Financial Mile Run and the Twilight Parade at 6:30 p.m. The run lasts for one mile through the streets of Highland. Race registration begins at 5 p.m. at 40th Place and Kennedy Avenue. There is a $9 fee.

The fest is open from noon to midnight Friday. The kiddie parade is at 11 a.m., entertainment lasts from noon to midnight and fireworks are at dusk -- about 9 p.m. -- at Homestead Park.

Saturday is another 12-hour schedule with entertainment all day and night and $20 for unlimited ride wristbands. The festival winds down Sunday, from noon to 9 p.m., and features an afternoon full of entertainment and the $20 unlimited ride wristbands.

FYI: Call (219) 838-0114, or visit the Web site at http://www.highland.in.gov/specialevents/july4th.htm.

HOBART | The Hobart 2008 Fourth 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. The parade includes an F-16 flyover by the Indiana Air National Guard.

Parade awards will be presented to the winners before the evening's fireworks display at Festival Park.

FYI: Call (219) 942-5774.

LAKE STATION | The Lake Station Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Fourth of July parade, with the theme Let Freedom Ring, at 5 tonight.

Entries should begin lining up at 4 p.m. at Columbus Park, 29th Avenue and Clay Street. The parade travels east to DeKalb Street, north to Central Avenue, east to Ripley Street and south to Riverview Park, where prizes will be awarded. A fireworks display will begin at dusk Friday at Riverview Park, 2701 Ripley St.

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

BROADWAY PARADE | Merrillville

The Merrillville Fourth of July Parade will step off at noon Friday at 55th and Broadway, heading south to 6500 Broadway.

FYI: Call (219) 980-5911.

MUNSTER | Munster's holiday celebration includes a fireworks show tonight and a parade Friday. The fireworks show is at 9:15 p.m. at Munster High School, 8808 Columbia Ave. The parade starts at 2 p.m. Friday at the corner of Lions Club Drive and Calumet Avenue and proceeds north on Calumet to Ridge Road, then east to the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts on Ridge.

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. In the event of severe weather, the fireworks are at Friday. Food and music are offered beginning at 7 p.m.

FYI: Call (219) 865-5530.

WHITING | Whiting's annual holiday parade steps off at 10 a.m. Friday, traveling along Indianapolis Boulevard from 116th Street down 119th Street to Lakefront Park. Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. in the Whiting Park Pavilion along Lake Michigan. The Meteors will perform at 7 p.m. At 9:40, the park road closes to clear the area for the fireworks show. At 10 p.m., an expanded fireworks show will include both a ground and aerial extravaganza. Festivities conclude at 11.

FYI: Call (219) 659-7700.

PORTER COUNTY

PORTAGE | The annual Fourth of July parade steps off at 11 a.m. Friday from Aylesworth Elementary School's parking lot, 5910 Central Ave. The parade continues south down Willowcreek Road and ends at Lute Road.

Fireworks, provided by Melrose Pyrotechnics, will start about 9 p.m. at the Willowcreek Middle School football field, 5962 Central Ave. The Portage parks department offers refreshments free of charge and will provide activities prior to the fireworks.

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

SOUTH HAVEN | South Haven American Legion Post 502 hosts the holiday parade 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.

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso's second July Fourth parade and celebration begin at 11:20 a.m. at Valparaiso University's Athletic Recreational Center on Union Street.

The parade proceeds down Union Street to Morgan Street and ends 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 continues at Will Park.

From noon to 4 p.m., there will be food, live music, games and kids' crafts.

FYI: Call (219) 464-9997.

CITY FESTIVITIES | Valparaiso

The city of Valparaiso Fourth of July Blast begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, south parking lot. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket for best viewing comfort. Music will be provided by Kicks, LaPorte Symphony and the ConservaDellics. Fireworks by Bada Boom Pyrotechnics begin at dusk.

FYI: (219) 464-8332.

FIREWORKS | Hebron

Fireworks will be held at dusk July 3 east of Hebron Elementary School. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Friday. The parade route starts at the high school and ends at Country Square Mall. The road will be only open for the parade. The road will be closed after the parade. Following the parade the Turtle Derby will be held in the parking lot of 1st Source bank.

FYI: Call (219) 996-5678.

ILLINOIS

CALUMET CITY | The Calumet Memorial Park District, in conjunction with the city of Calumet City, presents Freedom's Eve tonight at the Superior Street Complex, adjacent to Thornton Fractional North High School, 755 Pulaski Road in Calumet City. The children's carnival is from 5 to 7 p.m. A free basketball shooting contest is at 6 p.m. Live music by the Ides of March starts at 7 p.m. The fireworks display is at 9:15 p.m.

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

GLENWOOD | Glenwood celebrates Independence Day with a parade at 10:15 a.m. Friday at the Glenwood Plaza on South Halsted Street that will proceed to the Village Hall Complex at 1 Asselborn Way.

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

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

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

The evening concludes with a fireworks display at dusk at the Glenwoodie Golf Course

HOMEWOOD | Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's annual festival from noon to 3 p.m. Friday at Izaak Walton Preserve, 1100 Ridge Road.

The event features food, carnival games, six different inflatable attractions, interactive disc jockey entertainment and more.

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 hfparks.com.

CONCERT | Homewood

Enjoy free music under the stars at Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's 45th annual Community Band Concerts for all ages.'A concert is from 8 to 9 p.m. July 3 at the Irwin Community Center Bandshell. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.'

FYI: Call (708) 957-PARK or visit hfparks.com.

INDEPENDENCE DAY | Glenwood

The village of Glenwood will celebrate Independence Day with a parade that will begin at 10:15 a.m. Friday at Glenwood Plaza on South Halsted Street 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 at 9:45 a.m. in the Glenwood Oaks Restaurant parking lot, 106 N Main St. The children's parade will merge with the main parade when it reaches Main Street. Prizes will be awarded for best decorated bike, 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.

LANSING | Lan-Oak Park District has its Grand Ole Fourth celebration Friday at Lan-Oak Park. There are carnival games and Taste of Lansing food booths open from 4 to 9 p.m. Good Times Band performs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Contests will take place throughout the day. Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m.

FYI: Call (708) 474-8552.

SOUTH HOLLAND | The village has planned a day of events at Veterans Park on Friday.

Acts such as Mystic Fire, Zemrah & Co. and the South Holland Municipal Band will perform.

A rib cook-off starts 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 children and adults, balloon designs, face painting and 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 southholland.org.

CELEBRATE 4TH | Tinley Park

Tinley Park-Park District will present its Fourth of July celebration Friday at McCarthy Park, 16801 S. 80th Ave. The festivities begin with the Stars & Stripes 5K Run and Fun Walk, a TAC certified race, at 8 a.m. at McCarthy Park.'Opening ceremonies are at 4 p.m. with veterans from the Tinley Park VFW and American Legion raising the flag to "The Star Spangled Banner," performed by Megan Waltman. From 4 to 8 p.m. families can enjoy free activities including a penny carnival, clowns with free helium balloons, a horseshoe tournament, bingo, free watermelon, interactive NASCAR racing and more. Other festivities include live music performed by the Arts Alive! Jazz Band, featured entertainers - The Hay Guys, and the Bruce Korosa Polka Band. The grand finale fireworks extravaganza is at 9:15.

FYI: Call (708) 342-4200 or visit www.tinleyparkdistrict.org.