It is time for a national holiday and you might wonder how to spend the Fourth of July. Watching fireworks, cooking out, having a picnic, taking a drive or camping. Take a look at the fantastic choices for the weekend. No matter what you do or where you go, have fun.

For history buffs, you can check out the Declaration of Independence at the following website. It might be fun to see the preamble again and read tidbits about the beginning of our great nation.

A little known fact about the birth of our nation is that July 2, 1776 is the date of legal separation for the American colonies from Great Britain. Before this happened, several other important events occurred. A resolution of independence from Great Britain was approved by the Second Continental Congress, a proposal given on June 7 by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. There was much debate and discussion and finally approval. Congress appointed a five man committee to write a formal Declaration of Independence, in which Thomas Jefferson was a major contributor. Revisions occurred and it was finally approved on July 4-making a unanimous decision that courageously changed the course of our history.

One of the myths about Independence Day is that Congress signed the Declaration on July 4. History has proven that Congress ordered the document officially inscribed on July 19 and it was actually signed on August 2, 1776. There were 56 signatures representing the 13 colonies and they consisted of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, Georgia, Virginia, North & South Carolina, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland. John Hancock’s signature was the first immediately following the text because he was the President of the Continental Congress. The youngest congressman signing was Edward Rutledge (age 26) and the oldest was Ben Franklin (age 70).

Held since 1785, the Bristol, Rhode Island Fourth of July Parade is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States.

Take a minute and look at all the events happening around Texas for the holiday weekend:

WAXAHACHIE
12th Annual Crape Myrtle Festival & Parade, July 3-4. The celebration will begin on Friday at 6:00 pm with a tailgate party in the parking lot of Lumpkins Stadium at Waxahachie High School. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. “The Cannons” will take the stage at 7:00pm for a concert. Following the concert, fireworks will begin, tune into KBEC 1390 for a live broadcast of fireworks to music. At 10:00am on Saturday, the parade will start at College Street and end in Getzandaner Park. A map of the Crape Myrtle Driving Trail is available at the Chamber office or the Heritage Visitor Center located in the Ellis County Museum downtown. If you have any questions, please call the Chamber at 972-937-2390 or visit their website.

Ellis County Children’s Summer Musical Production Camp beginning on July 6. Ellis County Theater presents Boudreaux, The Lake Dog in a premier performance on Saturday, July 18 at 3:00pm and 7:00 pm in the Waxahachie High School Fine Arts Center. Children in grades 1-12 are invited to audition on July 6 at 9:00 am. “Our goal is to cast every child in this production or Jack & The Beanstalk.”

WACO
Fourth on the Brazos-enjoy great Texas music along the Brazos River, plus a fireworks display. It all all begins at 7:00pm at Indian Spring Park, downtown Waco. For more information, visit their website or call 254-750-5781.

MIDLOTHIAN
The annual firework display will be held at the Midlothian High School stadium on Friday, July 3 around 9:30 pm.

FAIRFIELD
On July 4, a Firework Display at Hilltop Lakes at dusk. The fireworks will be shot off the dam between Kickapoo and Swan Lakes. Hilltop Lakes Volunteer Fire Department will be conducting the display. For more information call 936-855-2222, ext 175 or email [email protected].

ATHENS
Zipline & Fireworks beginning at at 9:00pm on July 4th. Located at the NY-TX Zipline Adventures. Call 903-681-3791 for more information.

Fireworks at the Fishery on July 4th. See one of the largest fireworks shows in East Texas. Fishery hours are 5-10:30 pm. Located at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Call 903-676-2277 for more details.

GRAPEVINE
Independence Day Train July 2-5. Wave flags and participate in patriotic games on board. This begins at 1:00 pm at the Cotton Belt Depot. Visit their website or call 800-457-6338.

Fireworks Extravaganza will be launched of the shores of Oak Grove Park at 9:30pm. The show can be viewed from any lakeside location.

Grapevine Market Thursdays and Saturdays July 1-Oct 17. This is located at Liberty Park. Please see their website or call 817-410-3185.

ARLINGTON
July 3-5, Texas Rangers play the Rays. The promotional schedule includes Big Bang Fireworks on Friday, Saturday and dollar ice cream for ages 13 and under on Sunday. Go to their website for more information.

DENTON
Fourth of July Jubilee features a “Liberty Fun Run”, American Pride cook-off, Yankee Doodle parade, children’s carnival, food, horseshoe tournament, craft show and sale. It all begins at 7:00 am at Quakertown Park. For more details, visit their website or call 940-349-8733.

ADDISON
Addison Kaboom Town features fireworks choreographed to music, plus food, music, Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s historic warbird flyovers and more. Stay to watch a free showing of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Held at the Addison Circle Park. For more details, visit their website.

KERRVILLE
1776 on July 2-5, 9-12, 16-18. A playhouse production follows John Adams, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence at the Cailloux Theater. Please visit their website or call 830-896-9393.

GOLDTHWAITE
July 3 14th Annual Christmas in July Celebration. This features patriotic children’s bike parade, free ice cream, fireworks display, Santa and more. Located at the Goldthwaite City Park. Call 325-648-3619 for more details.

BRACKETTVILLE
Annual Fourth of July Gunfighters Competition on July 4th, includes western melodama, great music, kids games, good food and more. Located at the Alamo Village. Visit their website for more information or call 830-563-2580.

STONEWALL
Fourth of July in the 1900’s on July 4th. The festivities include horseshoe and washer pitching, stick horse racing and other games. Tour the historical farm houses and buildings. Interpreters dress in period clothing and carry out day-to-day farm activities. Hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Located at Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. Call 830-644-2252 for more information.

FREDERICKSURG
Pacific Combat Zone Re-enactment on July 4-5. This features re-enactments of a battle on an island in the Pacific during World War II. Located at the National Museum of the Pacific War Combat Zone. For more information, visit their website or call 830-997-4379.

Para-Mutual Horse Racing on July 4-5, 18-19. This is a full slate of quarter horse and thoroughbred races, special races and trials for the 2009 Fair Futurity. Held at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds. For more details, visit their website or call 830-997-2359.

CANTON
First Trade Days July 2-5. This includes more than 7000 vendors on 200 acres. Let’s go shopping! For more details, visit their website or call 903-567-6556

Texas Monthly suggests…

AUSTIN
AUSTIN SYMPHONY As fireworks explode over Lady Bird Lake, the Austin Symphony will perform patriotic music, including the 1812 Overture, punctuated by 75-millimeter Howitzer cannons. July 4 at 8:30 (fireworks at 9:30). Free. For more details, look at their website. The address is Auditorium Shores at The Long Center for Performing Arts, 950 W. Riverside Dr (888-462-3787).

DALLAS
FAIR PARK FOURTH Take advantage of free admission to the Fair Park museums (the Women’s Museum, the Museum of the American Railroad, the Museum of Nature and Science, the African American Museum, and the Texas Discovery Gardens), eat a funnel cake or two, and listen to live concerts at the Texas Discovery Gardens (from 4 to 7) before heading to the newly renovated Cotton Bowl for a musical performance by the Dallas Wind Symphony, the U.S. Military Academy’s Hell Cats, and baritone Alvy Powell. The patriotic tunes will also be broadcast live on WRR 101.1 FM. July 4 from 4:30 to 10 (fireworks at 9:30). Free. Check out their website for more detailed information. Their address is Fair Park, 1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd (214-670-8400).

A Chorus Line at Music Hall at Fair Park July 7-19. Check out their website. or call 214-421-5678.

EL PASO
EAST SIDE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE Anyone can join this patriotic “people’s parade,” which is celebrating its thirtieth year. If you have the time you can get elaborate: Floats, marching units, antique cars, horses, and bicycles are all welcome. July 4 at 9 a.m. Free. Parade begins at Hanks High School, 2001 Lee Trevino; ends at Album Park, 2655 N. Yarbrough Dr (915-780-8510).

FORT WORTH
FORT WORTH’S FOURTH Is there anything more American than attending a baseball game on a summer evening? Before watching the Fort Worth Cats take on the Pensacola Pelicans, let the kiddos expend their energy at this patriotic festival along the Trinity River behind LaGrave Field. Bounce houses, pony rides, levee slides, jet ski shows, a longhorn cattle herd, trail tours, and the post-game fireworks finale should have the young’uns sufficiently tuckered out just in time for the ride home. July 4: festival at 5:30, game at 7:05. For more information check out these websites: www.fwcats.com and www.fwfourth.com. Their address is LaGrave Field, 301 NE 6th (817-226-2287).

GALVESTON
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE Local meteorologist Frank Billingsley will lead this procession through historic downtown Galveston. A post-parade celebration at the Galveston Railroad Museum will include entertainment by Sparky Koerner, a patriotic musical program, and hot dogs and lemonade. On Saturday evening, a fireworks display will light up the Gulf Coast, so head to Seawall Boulevard for the best views. July 4: parade at 10 a.m., fireworks at 9:15. Free. For more details, go to their website. Parade begins at the Galveston Railroad Museum, 123 Rosenberg; ends at the Strand & 25th. Fireworks at 37th & Seawall Blvd (888-425-4753).

HOUSTON
FREEDOM OVER TEXAS Crane your neck to see Texas’s largest fireworks spectacular, set against the backdrop of Houston’s skyline over Buffalo Bayou. Beforehand, country music star (and Texas native) Clay Walker will perform on the main stage; there will also be plenty of family-friendly activities, like a showcase of military artifacts at Liberty Park, a sand volleyball championship, and rides and games in the Fiesta All American Kids Zone, plus more live music on three stages. July 4 from 4 to 10 (fireworks at 9:30). Free. freedomovertexas.org Buffalo Bayou, Eleanor Tinsley Park, 500 Allen Pkwy (832-393-0868).

SAN ANTONIO
FABULOUS FAMILY FOURTH The largest Independence Day fireworks display in town will be accompanied by a musical performance by members of the San Antonio Symphony, led by Bernard Rubenstein. Plus, Dave Rios will narrate “Lincoln Portrait,” Aaron Copland’s classic orchestral work. July 4 at 8. Gen adm $20—$75, children 12 & under free with adult. For more information, go to their website. Their address is Sunken Garden Theater, 3875 N. St. Marys (210-226-2891 or 800-745-3000).

LUCKENBACH
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION Billed as a day of remembrance, music, fun, and beer, this pure country Independence Day party is hosted by Walt and Tina Wilkins and will feature many special musical guests as well as a lawn mower parade and a weenie roast. July 4 at 8. Free. For more details, check out their website. The address is 412 Luckenbach Town Loop (888-311-8990).