July 4th Celebrations Across Alabama

July 4th is right around the corner and the city of Tuscaloosa plans to celebrate Independence Day at the Amphitheater with fireworks over the Black Warrior River.  Admission is free to the public.

If you live outside of Tuscaloosa or just want to do something different this year, there are over 25 events happening across the state of Alabama compiled by the Alabama Department of Tourism.

The celebrations include the Spirit of America at Point Mallard in Decatur, Thunder on the Mountain at Vulcan Park & Museum in Birmingham and Independence Day 1776 at the American Village in Montevallo. Families can also enjoy a picnic at the Riverfront in Montgomery, watch reflections of fireworks on the waves at Gulf Shores or sample fresh watermelon at the Watermelon Festival in Grand Bay.

Alexander City- 4th of July Blast
Lake Martin. Watch fireworks over the lake from the lawn of the amphitheater after enjoying a concert. Gates open 4:30 p.m., show starts at 5:30 p.m. fireworks start at 9:00 p.m., music until 10:30 p.m.  256-397-1019. www.lmat.org.  Admission charged.

Athens- Athens Fireworks Show
Athens High School. Annual fireworks show 8:30-9 p.m. 256-867-1438. www.visitathensal.com. Free.

Birmingham- Thunder on the Mountain  
Vulcan Park & Museum. Birmingham's annual fireworks display with Vulcan as the centerpiece of the program. 9 p.m.  205-933-1409. www.visitvulcan.com. Free.

Cherokee- Cherokee Independence Day Celebration
2752 Old Lee Highway.  Enjoy live music, arts & crafts, food vendors and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. 256-383-0783.  www.colbertcountytourism.org. Free.

Centre- Weiss Lake
Fireworks over Weiss Lake at dark - 9 p.m.  256-927-8455  www.cherokee-chamber.org.  Free.

Cullman- Smith Lake Park 4th of July Festival
Smith Lake Park. All-day entertainment, arts, crafts, food, fireworks and more. 256-734-0454.   www.cullmancountyparks.com. Free.

Decatur- Spirit of America Festival
Point Mallard Park. Celebrate the nation's birthday at one of the state's largest patriotic festivals, featuring children's activities, live music and a fireworks show. 800-232-5449 or 800-524-6181. www.spiritofamericafestival.com . Free.

Dothan- Fireworks at the National Peanut Festival
National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with food, games and entertainment. Fireworks show at 9:00 p.m.  334-793-4323. www.nationalpeanutfestival.com.  Admission charged.

Fairhope- Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks Display
Henry George Park and Fairhope Municipal Pier. The Baldwin Pops Band Independence Day Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with a variety of patriotic music before and after the fireworks display. 251-929-1466. www.cofairhope.com. Free.

Florence- Shoals Spirit of Freedom Celebration
McFarland Park. Live music and family activities with food vendors onsite. Fireworks show after dark. 256-740-4141. www.visitflorenceal.com. Free.

Grand Bay- Watermelon Festival
Festival Park. Sample locally grown watermelon while enjoying local music, arts & crafts.  www.grandbaywatermelonfestival.org. Admission charged.

Greenville- Celebrate America
Greenville High School Stadium. Family activities and fireworks. 7-9:30 p.m. 334-382-3251. www.greenville-alabama.com  Free.

Gulf Shores- Independence Day Fireworks
Gulf Shores Public Beach. Fireworks shot over the beach and accompanied by special patriotic music broadcast on Sunny 105.7 FM radio. 9 p.m. 251-968.1172. www.gulfshores.com. Free.

Gulf Shores- Fort Morgan Salute to American Independence
Fort Morgan State Historic Site. Independence Day is celebrated at Fort Morgan with artillery firing, small arms firing and special tours of the Fort. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 251-540-7202. www.fortmorgan.org. Admission charged.

Guntersville- All American Celebration
Lake Guntersville. Fireworks over Lake Guntersville at 9 p.m. Best viewed from Civitan Park and Lurleen B Wallace Drive. Free.

Harpersville- Music and Fireworks in the Vineyard
Morgan Creek Winery presents a live music, wine tours, wine tastings, barbecue and fireworks. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 205-672-2053. www.facebook.com/morgancreekwinery.  Admission charged.

Huntsville- U.S. Space & Rocket Center July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center hosts Huntsville’s largest fireworks display. In addition to the fireworks, there will be: a kid's zone with activities such as building paper rockets, a moon bounce, face painting and chalk art. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  256-837-3400. www.rocketcenter.com/fireworks.  Admission charged.

Mobile- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
The City of Mobile and the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park present a fireworks celebration.  This year’s event will feature a red, white and blue salute to veterans, and the finale will honor the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park’s 50th anniversary.  From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  251-208-2000. www.mobile.org. Admission Charged

Montevallo- Independence Day 1776
The American Village. See the stories of America's founding with period re-enactors such as Patrick Henry and Abigail Adams, play Colonial games, patriotic music, fireworks and more. Gates open at 11 a.m. 205-665-3535 ext.1063. www.americanvillage.org. Admission charged.

Montgomery- 4th of July Family Picnic
Riverfront.  Enjoy a picnic by the river with live music and a fireworks show. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 334-625-2100. www.visitingmontgomery.com. Free

Pike Road- Summer Fest
The Waters. Bring a picnic and blanket or lawn chairs to enjoy the musical entertainment and fireworks. 334-272-9883. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. www.pikeroad.us. Admission charged.

Prattville- Prattville Independence Day Celebrations
Various Locations. Parade, BBQ/camp stew sale and fireworks. The downtown parade begins 9 a.m. and ends at Pratt Park; The Annual Cardboard Boat Races begin at 10 a.m.; fireworks begin at dark at Stanley-Jensen Stadium. 334-358-0297. www.prattvilleal.gov. Free.

Scottsboro- 4th of July on the Tennessee River
Goose Pond Colony, Ed Hembree Drive. Music, Entertainment, Huge Boat Parade, Food, and ending with a fireworks show at the Amphitheater beginning at 6:00 p.m. Free Admission. Free.

Talladega- 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Begins at 5pm in Veterans Park. Live music, food vendors, games and Inflatables for kids. Fireworks display begins at dusk.  256-362-8186. www.talladega.com.   Free.

Troy- City of Troy 4th of July Celebration
Veteran's Memorial Stadium. Fireworks show at the stadium on the Troy University campus at 8:30 p.m. 334-670-2283. www.troyal.gov. Free.

Tuscaloosa- Celebration On The River
The Tuscaloosa Farmers Market will be open at the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk from 7 a.m. until noon, there will be a PARA KidsZone starting at 5 p.m. with inflatables, laser tag and other kid-friendly activities, and a TSO concert will start at 8 p.m. Fireworks will immediately follow the TSO's performance, which will include patriotic songs as well as selections from Frozen and Spiderman. Admission to all of the events is free and open to the public.

Wedowee- Fourth of July Boat Parade
Lakeside Marina, Hwy. 231, Lake Wedowee/RL Harris Reservoir. Boat and personal watercrafts decorated with patriotic themes. 10 a.m.-noon. 256-276-7959. www.lakewedoweelife.com. Free.

Wetumpka- 4th of July Celebration
Gold Star park. Live entertainment, celebrity chef cook-off and fireworks. 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. 334-567-5147. www.cityofwetumpka.com. Free.