A listing of holiday events in selected Tristate communities. All events are Thursday unless noted otherwise.

Ohio

HAMILTON COUNTY

Cincinnati

        COLLEGE HILL: A fireworks display will take place at 10 p.m. today at Twin Towers, 5343 Hamilton Ave. A shuttle service will be provided from College Hill Presbyterian Church at 5742 Hamilton Ave. Information: 853-2006.

        HYDE PARK: The annual Hyde Park Neighborhood Council event is sponsored by Cincinnati Parks in Ault Park on Observatory Avenue. A children's bicycle parade will take place at 10:30 a.m. Concessions open at 6 p.m. and the Pete Metzger Band performs a free concert at 8 p.m. A fireworks display begins at 10 p.m. Information: 533-5648.

        NORTHSIDE: A neighborhood parade at noon proceeds along Hamilton Avenue from Ashtree Drive to Hoffner Park on Blue Rock Avenue. The Northside Men's Drill Team and Ladies' Lawn Chair Brigade will participate along with traditional groups, including marching bands from Roger Bacon and Aiken high schools. A water festival will take place at the park after the parade until 4 p.m. The festival will feature water games, prizes and free refreshments. Information: 542-2971 or 542-8259.

        RIVERFRONT: The All-American Birthday kicks off along the riverfront at 3 p.m. at Sawyer Point. Admission for the family event is free. The event includes games and live music by Survivor at 6 p.m. and Loverboy at 8 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. Information: 852-1646.

Suburbs

        ANDERSON TOWNSHIP: The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra will perform a concert, “America the Beautiful,” at 8 p.m. at Riverbend. The United States Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus will give a prelude performance at 7 p.m. For ticket information, call 381-3300, or order online.

        ANDERSON TOWNSHIP: LaRosa's Balloon Glow will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. today at Coney Island, Kellogg Avenue exit off Interstate 275. The event is free. Parking is $5. Fireworks start at 10 p.m. Information: 232-8230.

        BLUE ASH: A free community picnic and fireworks celebration will take place from 2 to 11 p.m. at the Blue Ash Sports Center, 11540 Grooms Road. Entertainment includes a performance by Kool & The Gang at 8:15 p.m. Fireworks will follow at 10 p.m. Parking is available in the P&G lots on Reed Hartman Highway and Grooms Road. A shuttle service will operate from 3 p.m. to midnight. Information: 745-8511.

        COLERAIN TOWNSHIP: Holiday activities will take place on Springdale Road a half mile west of Northgate Mall. A 5K walk/run will kick off at 8 a.m., with a children's race beginning at 9 a.m. Other events include: a custom car show from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m; local entertainment from 3 to 6:30 p.m.; and a performance by Pure Prairie League at 8:15 p.m. A fireworks display with a patriotic soundtrack will begin at 10 p.m.. Information: 385-7500 or online.

        EVENDALE: A variety of holiday events will be held at the Village Recreation Center, 10500 Reading Road. The annual 10K run and 4.3-mile walk starts at 8 a.m. A registration form is available online. Family activities from 6 to 9:45 p.m. include a kids' carnival, raffles, a rock-climbing wall, hot-air balloon rides and entertainment by Wild Stuff. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. Information: 563-2244.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EVENT

If your group or community is sponsoring a holiday event, fireworks show or parade that is open to all, please e-mail the information to Elaine Trumpey, etrumpey@enquirer.com. Information: 755-4140.

        GREEN TOWNSHIP: Two concerts and a fireworks display will take place today at Kuliga Park, 6717 Bridgetown Road. Food booths will open at 5 p.m. Saffire Express performs at 7 p.m. and again from 10:45 to midnight. The UC Community Concert Band performs from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. The band will accompany the fireworks display, which begins at dark. Parking with shuttle bus service beginning at 5 p.m. is available at: John Foster Dulles Elementary on Bridgetown Road; Oak Hills High School on Ebenezer Road; and Our Lady of Visitation Church on South Road. Information: 598-3089.

        INDIAN HILL: Participants for the 17th annual parade in Indian Hill will assemble at 9 a.m. at Cincinnati Country Day School, 6905 Given Road, for a parade that begins at 10 a.m. After the parade, marchers and viewers may enjoy games and refreshments at Stephan Field at the corner of Drake and Shawnee Run roads. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. at Indian Hill High School, 6845 Drake Road. Information: 561-6500.

        LOVELAND: Loveland Fourth of July 2002 will be from 3:30 to 11 p.m. downtown. The event includes free children's rides, games and other activities. Free carriage rides will be available from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Rabbit Hash String Band will perform at 3:30 p.m. at Railroad Commons. Other live entertainment will be provided by the Loveland Jazz Combo and the Cincinnati Caledonian Pipes & Drums. A parade will begin at 6 p.m. from Loveland Miami Elementary School on Loveland-Madeira Road and proceed to Second Street. The fireworks display, which can be viewed from Nisbet Park, Veterans Park and other areas near downtown, will begin at 10 p.m. Information: 588-9099 or online.

        MADEIRA: Parade will begin at Madeira High School at 7 p.m. today and end at Sellman Park. After the parade, the band Deja Vu will perform. A fireworks display will begin at dusk. Information: 561-7228.

        MONTGOMERY: The Blue Ash Symphony will present a free concert, “Salute to Patriotism,” from 7 to 9 p.m. today in Montgomery Park, 10101 Montgomery Road. A parade will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sycamore Junior High School on Cooper Road and march to Montgomery Park on Montgomery Road, where Festival in the Park will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Blue Chip Jazz Band from 1 to 3 p.m. and Kevin Fox from noon to 4 p.m. Pony rides, games and a pet show are included in the afternoon activities. Pets can be registered from noon to 12:30 at the event. Information: 891-2424.

        READING: Fireworks go off at 10 p.m. Saturday in Koenig Park. Rain date is Sunday.

        ST. BERNARD: The annual Independence Day Celebration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a 5K run/walk in Vine Street Park. A festival will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. with games, rides and entertainment, followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. Information: 242-2727.

        SHARONVILLE: “America's Unsung Heroes” begins with a parade at 5 p.m. Thursday that starts at Sharon and Reading roads and ends at the Community Center on Thornview Drive. A festival begins in Gower Park after the parade. The Hot Wax Stage Show takes place at 6:30 p.m., and fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Information: 563-2895.

        SPRINGDALE: The annual Spirit of Springdale Festival will be held from 5 p.m. to midnight today and Thursday at the Springdale Community Center Complex, 11999 Lawnview Ave. The event will include a variety of entertainment, games, rides, gambling and food booths. A parade will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Tri-View Office Towers, 110 Boggs Lane, and end at the Community Center Amphitheater. Participants should assemble at 5:15 p.m. A fireworks display will be held at 10 p.m. Information: 345-3910.

        GOLF MANOR: The annual parade begins at 11 a.m. at Losantiville and Englewood avenues and winds through the village to the Municipal Building, 6450 Wiehe Road. At the end of the parade, trophies will be awarded to children and adults in various categories. Free refreshments will be served to children who participate. Information: 605-1227.

BUTLER COUNTY

        FAIRFIELD: “Red, White and Kaboom” will begin at 7 p.m. today, with entertainment provided by Ticket to Ride in Harbin Park and Second Wind in Village Green Park. The Wind Riders sky-diving team will parachute into both parks at about 9 p.m. A fireworks display from Harbin Park at 10 p.m. will be viewable from throughout the city. Information: 867-5348.

        HAMILTON: The annual Hamilton July 4th Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Fair Avenue and wind through the downtown area to Second and Ludlow streets. The parade will honor firefighters and police. A patriotic ceremony will be held at the Michael J. Colligan Bandshell at noon, followed by a high school band concert at 1:30 p.m. Other events include: Taste of Hamilton, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; a Civil War re-enactment on the lawn of the Butler County Courthouse, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a variety of entertainment starting at 2:30 p.m.; and fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Information: 844-8080 or online.

        HAMILTON: The 122nd Army National Guard Band will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Amphitheater in Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Early arrivals must pay park admission. Rain location is the Hamilton Sports Arena on Peck Avenue. Information: 868-8336.

        MIDDLETOWN: All America Weekend will be held from 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday at Middletown High School, 601 N. Breiel Blvd. A variety of free entertainment, 40 booths, an arts and crafts area, and rides are featured in the 23rd annual festival, sponsored by the Middletown High School Athletic Boosters. Shuttle service is available from Miami University Middletown. A tribute to police and firefighters followed by civic awards will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. A fireworks show will take place at 10 p.m.

WARREN COUNTY

        HAMILTON TOWNSHIP: The second annual Hamilton Township July 4th Parade and Picnic in the Park will begin with a parade at 11 a.m. along Ohio 48. The parade will end at Testerman Park on Maineville Road, where a variety of family activities will take place. Information: 899-3018 or 683-9308.

        LEBANON: A bicentennial and Independence Day celebration includes entertainment by the Del Satins at 7:30 p.m. today at Colonial Park West across from the Warren County Fairgrounds. Free parking is available at the fairgrounds. A fireworks display set to music will take place at 10 p.m. Information: 932-3060, ext. 284.

        MASON: “Nights of Fire: an Eiffel Tower Spectacular” will light up the sky as fireworks set to patriotic music are set off from the Eiffel Tower at Kings Island today and Thursday at 10 p.m. Information: 754-5700 or online.

        WAYNESVILLE: A free concert by the Tom Daugherty Orchestra will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bicentennial Amphitheater. A fireworks display will conclude the evening's activities at 10 p.m. Information: 897-8855.

CLERMONT COUNTY

        NEW RICHMOND: A parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Festival Park on Front Street and end at Western Avenue. Festivities that include a men's cake bake-off, silent auction, riding lawnmower races, community awards and music will continue throughout the day. A “Parade of Lights” on the river and a fireworks display will conclude the celebration. Information: 553-1245.

DEARBORN COUNTY

        GREENDALE, Ind.: Celebrate Greendale will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a children's fishing derby at Schnebelt's Pond. A 5K run/walk and a softball tournament are also included in the day's activities. Entertainment will be in front of Greendale Cabin from 4 p.m. until the fireworks display at dusk. Information: (812) 537-9219.

        AURORA, Ind.: The annual Firecracker Craft Show & Festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Lesko Park on Ind. 56. The event features nearly 100 craft and food booths, an air show, fishing derby, car show, games, rides and stage entertainment. On Friday, hot-air balloon rides will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. The festival kicks off at 6 p.m.; the annual lighted boat parade on the Ohio River will begin at 10 p.m. Fireworks will be shot off a barge at 10 p.m. Saturday. Information: (800) 322-8198.

Kentucky

BOONE COUNTY

        FLORENCE: The city's first official fireworks display will be the centerpiece of a festival starting at 6 p.m. at the Florence Government Center. The Rozzi fireworks display will begin at 9:45 p.m. Festival activities will include games for children, performances by the Florence Community Band and an '80s pop band.

CAMPBELL COUNTY

        FORT THOMAS: A parade starts at Highlands High School at 11 a.m. and ends at Tower Park. The city will host a festival behind the city building from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with games, food, prizes and a band.

KENTON COUNTY

        EDGEWOOD: The 25th Annual 5K Race for walkers and runners starts at Presidents Park at 8 a.m. to begin the city's 4th of July Extravaganza. A parade begins at 9:30 a.m. Co-ed softball and volleyball tournaments will be held all day at both Presidents and Freedom parks. Fireworks begin at dusk at Freedom Park, with a free concert by the rock/pop group Fuzzy Feet beginning at 7 p.m.

        FORT WRIGHT: A neighborhood Parade and Walk will be at 6:45 p.m. today. The Mount Vernon neighborhood will celebrate the 4th of July with a parade of children on decorated bikes; adults on motorcycles; classic cars; and people walking with flags, signs and other displays of patriotism. The parade starts at the Fort Wright City Building.

        FORT MITCHELL: A parade will begin at the Diocesan Catholic Children's Home on Orphanage Road at 12:30 p.m. and end on Beechwood Road in front of Beechwood High School. The grand marshal will be Sister Ann Middendorf, who retired in 2002 after a long career serving Fort Mitchell residents, and Steve Hutton, who recently resigned as principal of Beechwood High School.

        INDEPENDENCE: The Independence Festival includes bands, cloggers and a flyover from an Army Blackhawk helicopter. The festival at Memorial Park begins with a parade at 2 p.m., and finishes with fireworks at 10 p.m. The parade will depart from Summit View Elementary. Grand marshals will be Lt. Gov. Steve Henry and his wife, former Miss America Heather French Henry, and James Simmons, a veteran who will receive a Purple Heart on July 5 for the first time since he earned the award in World War II.

—Compiled by Elaine Trumpey and Chris Mayhew

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