Cincinnati

RIVERFRONT: An "All-American Birthday" celebration will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at Sawyer Point. Two stages of entertainment will run until fireworks are presented at 10 p.m. A Battle of the Bands takes place at 3:15 p.m. at the P&G Pavilion. Other events include a cornhole tournament and a flag-football contest. Featured performers are Joan Jett and Foghat. Admission is free. Information: 686-8598 or www.foxcincinnati.com.

HYDE PARK: The Blast Run/Walk begins at 7:10 a.m. Sunday at Ault Park. At 10 a.m., children ages 3-12 who have decorated their bikes with a Fourth of July theme will show off their creations during a parade at the park. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Festival activities take place at Ault Park beginning at 6 p.m. when concession stands open. The Pete Metzger band performs at 8 p.m. and a fireworks display concludes the day's celebration. Information: 533-7323.

MOUNT AUBURN: The William Howard Taft National Historic Site, 2038 Auburn Ave., will host an ice cream social and band concert with music by the Swanks Quartet 1-4 p.m. Sunday. All activities, including tours of the home and special exhibits in the Taft Education Center, are free. Information: 684-3262 or www.nps.gov/wiho.

MOUNT WASHINGTON: American Legion Post 484 and Faith Presbyterian Church will co-sponsor the parade that begins at 2 p.m. Sunday on Oxford Street (in front of Stanbery Park) and ends at the Legion Hall on Sutton Avenue. After the parade, visitors can enjoy a free ice cream social that begins at 3:30 p.m. at the church, 6434 Corbly Road. The event includes family games and a puppet show, "Say Something Good About America." Information: 752-6216.

NORTHSIDE: The annual Independence Day Parade and Festival is noon to 8 p.m. Monday. A parade that includes the Lawn Chair Ladies Brigade and the men's "drill" team begins at noon on Hamilton Avenue and ends at Hoffner Park. The festival begins at the park immediately after the parade. Children may participate in free art activities; musicians will entertain in the beer garden; and vendors and artists will be showing their wares.

Hamilton County

BLUE ASH: The Meijer-Warm 98 Red, White & Blue Ash event at the Blue Ash Sports Center, 11540 Grooms Road, opens at 2 p.m. Sunday. Eagles tribute band Hotel California performs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a concert by Styx at 8:15 p.m., and fireworks at 10 p.m. New this year is a cornhole tournament. Free admission. No glass, alcohol, grills, pets, fireworks or sparklers permitted. Information and directions: www.blueash.com.

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP: The 4th of July Spectacular begins with a 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Colerain Township Government Complex, 4200 Springdale Road. Festival activities get under way at 4 p.m. at the same location feature entertainment by Double Barrel and national performer Mark Farner. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Information: www.coleraintwp.org.

ELMWOOD PLACE: The village parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Murray Road and Prosser Avenue. Information: 242-0563.

FINNEYTOWN: The Kirkland/Burgundy/Greenfield Village parade will begin at 10:45 a.m. Saturday at Harbury and Greenfield streets and end at Burgundy Circle. Troop 2521 of the American Heritage Girls will lead the raising of the flag as well as deliver the address at the patriotic program. The Springfield Township Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Harlequin Haven Great Dane and St. Bernard Rescue volunteers, will be special guests at this year's parade. Information: 522-7913.

GLENDALE: The village fireworks display, co-sponsored by the Glendale Lyceum, may be viewed from the Glendale Athletic Field on Summit Avenue at 9:45 p.m Sunday.

GREEN TOWNSHIP: The Pete Wagner Orchestra will perform a concert of big-band music and patriotic selections at 6 p.m. Saturday at Kuliga Park, 6717 Bridgetown Road. After the performance, Saffire Express will entertain with oldies, standards and ballads from 8:30 p.m. until the fireworks display at 10 p.m. After the fireworks, Saffire Express will resume playing until midnight. Community groups will offer food and drinks beginning at 5 p.m. Information: 598-3089.

INDIAN HILL: The Independence Day Parade will start at 10 a.m. Saturday at Cincinnati Country Day School, 6905 Given Road. Fireworks will be held at the school beginning at dark. Information: www.ci.indian-hill.oh.us

LOVELAND: A parade will kick off at Loveland Elementary School on Loveland-Madeira Road at 7 p.m. Sunday and end at Second Street. Elaine & the Biscaynes will entertain at 8:30 p.m. at Nisbet Park. Fireworks display at 10 p.m. It can be viewed from Nisbet Park, Veteran's Park and other areas near downtown Loveland. Information: www.lovelandoh.com.

MONTGOMERY: The Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony will perform a free concert 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday in Montgomery Park. "Let Freedom Ring" honors the musical history of our nation's quest for independence. Special features of the concert include a narration of "American Roots" by Rob Reider and guest performances by the Retread Bluegrass Band and Connor Chee. An Independence Day parade at 10 a.m. Monday will wind down Cooper Road to Montgomery Road and end at Montgomery Park for a festival with music, kids' games, food and a pet show. Information: www.montgomeryohio.org.

MOUNT HEALTHY: Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Saturday in City Park. A DJ will provide music, and food and drink will be available. The fireworks show will begin at dusk. Information: 931-8840.

NORWOOD: A fireworks show begins at 10 p.m. Sunday at Shea Stadium on the grounds of Norwood High School. Snacks and refreshments will be available after 8 p.m. when the gates open. The Norwood High School Marching Band will entertain at 9 p.m. Free and open to the public.

SPRINGDALE: The Spirit of Springdale festival will run 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday at the Springdale Community Center complex, 11999 Lawnview Ave.,with a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. Sunday. A parade will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Tri-View Office Building, 110 Boggs Lane, and end at the community center. Information: 346-3910 or sccrec@springdale.org.

SYMMES TWP.: The township will celebrate the opening of a dog run and walking trail with a dog parade at 6 p.m. today at Symmes Park, 11600 Lebanon Road. Gift certificates of $25 from Complete Petmart will be awarded to the best dogs in categories of most creative, most whimsical, most patriotic, best master-canine look-alike, cutest puppy and best of show. Registration is at 5:30 p.m. Information, call the township at 683-6644.

Butler County

FAIRFIELD: A fireworks show visible from most Fairfield neighborhoods will begin at 10 p.m. Saturday in Harbin Park. It will conclude the Red, White and Kaboom celebration in Harbin Park, Village Green Park and the Fairfield Aquatic Center before the fireworks. Rock group Thunderbay will perform at 7:15 p.m. in Harbin Park. At the Village Green amphitheatre, the Hamilton-Fairfield Concert Band will present a concert at 5 p.m., followed by a demonstration by the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy. Dangerous Jim and the Slims will be on stage at 7:45 p.m. and Fairfield Idol finalists Corey Tucker and Paige Hasselbeck will compete during intermissions. Tapped Out will perform during a Fireworkswim at the Aquatic Center from 8 to 11 p.m. Information: www.fairfield-city.org.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP: A Race for Liberty! begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Liberty Park (behind the YMCA on Yankee Road) and a parade will kick off from Lakota East High School at 10 a.m. A festival begins at 11 a.m. at the park with an auction taking place at 11:30 a.m. Information: www.liberty-township.com.

MIDDLETOWN: The All-American Weekend returns in a new location, Smith Park. The rides, food and games open at 4 p.m. today, with a hot air balloon liftoff at 7 p.m. The festival begins at noon Saturday with a performance by the Middletown High School Jazz Band and live entertainment running until midnight. Activities on Sunday will begin at 5 p.m., fireworks take place at 10 p.m. Information: (513) 425-6834.

TRENTON: Trenton Liberty Fest includes a full day of activities Saturday that kicks off with a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. at the City Building. Beginning at 2 p.m., a classic car parade travels from Mount Olivet Presbyterian Church, 509 W. State St., through the downtown area and culminates in a car show at Community Park. A festival with carnival rides and games, music and a craft show begins at 4 p.m. at the park and concludes with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. Information: www.ci.trenton.oh.us or 988-6304, ext. 150.

Warren County

LEBANON: Lebanon and Turtlecreek Township will co-sponsor a celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Colonial Park West (across from the Warren County Fairgrounds). The event includes a variety of children's activities and food booths. The Bill Foley Band will entertain from 7 to 10 p.m. Fireworks display is at 10 p.m. Information: (513) 228-3110.

MASON: Rain or shine a "Red, Rhythm & Boom" celebration will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at Pine Hill Lakes Park, 211 Kings Mills Road. Las Vegas-style show group Hot Wax will entertain 6:30-7:30 p.m. and singer-songwriter Don McLean will be on stage at 8:30 p.m. Other activities available from 6 to 9 p.m. include a Kidz Zone, Morgan's Rock, and the Honky Tonk Hall of Fame. A fireworks display will take place over the lake at 10 p.m. Information: 229-8550. Also, the sixth annual riding lawnmower race will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the Mason Heights neighborhood off Kings Mills Road. Information: 398-7384.

Clermont County

NEW RICHMOND: A celebration called Independence Day in New Richmond will run from 2-10 p.m. Sunday in the downtown area. The celebration includes a parade at 2 p.m., an all-day car show, and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Information: (513) 553-4146.

Dearborn County, Ind.

AURORA, Ind.: The Aurora Firecracker Festival takes place 6-11:30 p.m. today, 8 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday in Lesko Park. Events include a lighted boat parade at 10 p.m. today; and a classic car show 8 a.m.-4 p.m., an air show over the river at 6 p.m., and a fireworks show over the river at 10 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.visitsoutheastindiana.com.

Northern Kentucky

INDEPENDENCE: Gov. Ernie Fletcher and his wife, Glenna Fletcher, will preside over the Independence Celebration Parade on Saturday. Fletcher will give a brief speech at 3 p.m. at the Kenton County Courthouse and then kick off the parade, which begins at 3:30 p.m. at Summit View School, 5002 Madison Pike, and ends at Independence Town Center. A celebration follows at Memorial Park next to the town center from 4-11 p.m., and will feature games, rides, music and a fireworks show at 10 p.m.

EDGEWOOD: The city will have a day full of activities Saturday beginning with the 27th Annual 5K Race starting from President's Park at 8 a.m. A parade will leave from the K-mart parking lot on Dixie Highway at 9:30 a.m., and end at President's Park on Dudley Road. Fireworks will follow a free concert beginning at 7 p.m. at Freedom Park, Thomas More Parkway and Dudley Road.

FORT MITCHELL: A parade will leave the Diocesan Catholic Children's Home, 75 Orphanage Road, at 1 p.m. Sunday. The route will be from Orphanage Road to Dixie Highway, and north on Dixie to Beechwood Road, where the parade will end at Beechwood High School.

FORT THOMAS: A daylong festival, a parade, fireworks and a 5K race will all be part of the city's Independence Day celebration Monday. The YMCA Firecracker 5000 gets the day started at 8 a.m. in Tower Park, 950 S. Fort Thomas Ave. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Highlands High School, 2400 Memorial Parkway, and ends at Tower Park. At 1 p.m., the Fort Thomas Business Association will host "A Festival For All Ages: 4th at the Fort" at Tower Park. The festival will feature a flyover by two Air Force F-16 fighter jets, rides and games, live music, bingo, food booths, arts and crafts, and martial arts and gymnastics demonstrations. A fireworks display at 10 p.m. will end the day.

FLORENCE: The city's third Fourth of July Celebration kicks off at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd. The celebration will feature a Rozzi's fireworks display, children's games, food, and a performance by the Florence Community Band. There will be a memorial to soldiers from the Florence Police Honor Guard.