Monday, July 4, 2011, marks the 235th anniversary commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.  The weather predictions are hot and dry, and in most areas fireworks are banned. There are many ways and many places to celebrate the 4th of July. I’ve compiled a list of just a few I found in a quick search on the internet.

• Fulshear celebrates the holiday on Saturday, July 2nd with the “Fulshear Freedom Fest” honoring the 100 year anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America.  The traditional downtown parade will begin at 6:30 PM featuring “West Enders Car Club”, fire and police vehicles, horse riders, coaches, carriages and much more.  Over thirty booths with vendors and children’s activities will keep everyone entertained until the fireworks presentation at the end of the night.

• Stafford celebrates two days – the parade will begin on Sunday, July 3rd at 7:00 PM leaving from the old Houston Community College parking lot on Cash Road and ending at the Stafford Centre rear parking lot.  Parade winners will be announced with a cake reception for Parade Marshal, Lawrence Vaccaro, Jr.  Citizens will enjoy a free street dance, food and drink booths, free carnival rides and free hay rides until 11:30 PM.  There will be a free Freedom Rings concert performed by the Fort Bend Symphony at 7:00 PM Monday in the Stafford Centre Theatre, followed by fireworks in the Festival Field.

• Sugar Land hosts their celebration at Oyster Creek Park on Monday, July 4th beginning at 5 pm.  This year marks the 26th for the annual Red White and Bluefest, free to the public with food and drinks available for purchase.

• Galveston offers a 4th of July parade and celebration beginning at 10 am with free hot dogs and drinks at the Sealy Pavilion.  Fireworks will be displayed over the Gulf of Mexico at 37th St.

• Kemah has a more intimate celebration with a cruise from one of the luxury Starfleet yachts. Ticket prices are $69 per adult, $39 per child.

• If Houston is more your scene, the Miller Theatre in Hermann Park will have a free concert beginning at 8:00 PM featuring the Houston Symphony.  Chevy’s Freedom Over Texas will be held at Eleanor Tinsley Park with gates opening at 4:00 PM and will feature country music greats Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert and Jo Dee Messina – tickets are $8 with children under 10 admitted free.

• And in the true virtual experience, you can join Independence Day, July 4th, 1776! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! an event on Facebook.