Things To Do This Weekend...

There's plenty happening around the county this 4^th of July weekend, so you should find something to keep you celebrating this weekend ...

Gainesville

The All American Song Fest is Friday, July 2 at the Plaza and the return of Fanfares & Fireworks is Saturday night at Flavet Field.

'All American Song Fest'

Friday night's "All American Song Fest" at the Bo Diddley Plaza will feature various local artists singing songs about America, present and past. The set-list will include songs that have shaped our country's musical landscape by artists such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan. There will be traditional folk songs and modern homages to the Stars and Stripes.

‘Fanfares & Fireworks’

7 pm. Saturday, fireworks at 9:40 pm at Flavet Field, UF campus.

Though Saturday’s celebration officially starts at 7 pm, some people arrive earlier to get their blankets and picnics set up, Wagner says. Another reason to arrive early is the LifeSouth Blood Center will be on site accepting donations.

A new feature this year, anyone who wants to hear the patriotic music performed by the Gainesville Community Band that accompanies the fireworks display at 9:40 pm can tune in to WUFT 89.1 FM.

Micanopy

The Independence Day Parade in Micanopy returns at 11 am Saturday as a highlight of the town's annual celebration, which also will feature a fish fry at 11 am to benefit the Micanopy Museum. A $10 dinner will include such trimmings as hush puppies, coleslaw and baked beans. A LifeSouth blood drive is planned from 8:30 am to 1 pm, and festivities will move to Micanopy's ballpark where music, food and games are planned from 5 to 8:30 pm, followed by fireworks at dusk.

City of Alachua

On Sunday, Alachua will host a Fourth of July Celebration with events planned at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex, where from noon to 10 pm, live music, dancing, bingo contests, petting zoo and a Kidz Corner with a water slides, splash park, skate park on site, bounce houses and a rock-climbing wall will be featured.

Following a barbecue rib-eating contest that starts at 6:15 pm, a fireworks show billed as "The Largest Small Town Fireworks Display in America," typically enjoyed by about 15,000 organizers say, is expected to start at 9:30 pm The Hal Brady Recreation Complex is at 14300 N.W. 146 Terrace, Alachua.

Waldo

VetFest Music fest at the Dixieland Music Park in Waldo. The patriotic emphasis will center on veterans with a special Veterans Ceremony by American Legion Post 16 set at 3 pm Saturday. About 40 vendors will be hand with games, food and other items and children's activities will include a bounce house and thrill ride.

Hours are 2-11:30 pm Friday, 10 am-11:30 pm Saturday at the Dixieland Music Park, 17500 N.E. U.S. Highway 301, Waldo. Admission is free. Proceeds from vendor sales will benefit the Hampton's Veterans Memorial Fund.