Fireworks, apple pie, parades and picnics … they’re all synonymous with a good ol’ fashioned Independence Day celebration. If you are looking for a way to have a blast this July 4th, we offer the following suggestions from around the area:

<strong>UTD</strong>

SUAAB hosts its annual Independence Day Celebration noon to 2 p.m., July 1 in the lower level of the Student Union.

They will serve free hot dogs, snow cones, cotton candy and apple pie.

<strong>Plano</strong>

Plano celebrates Independence Day with a week’s worth of events.

<em>June 28</em> – 7:30 p.m., Plano Community Band – Patriotic Concert; Haggard Park, 901 E 15th Street.

<em>July 3</em> – 9:30 a.m. , 24th Annual Independence Day Parade. Starts at Independence and Park and proceeds north two miles on Independence to Spring Creek.

<em>After the parade</em> – Barbecue chicken dinners with trimmings for $7 at Reformed Church of Plano, 5333 Independence Parkway.

<em>July 4</em> – 3 p.m., Plano Symphony Orchestra Patriotic Pops Concert at the Eisemann Center in Richardson. Tickets $9-$29. For ticket information call 972-473-7262 or visit www.planosymphony.org

<em>July 4</em> – 9:30 p.m., Fireworks at High Point Park, 6500 Alma Road at Spring Creek Parkway. Music simulcast on WBAP 820 AM

<strong>Garland</strong>

Garland’s “Star Spangled Fourth” celebrates Independence Day for a week. The festival features a midway, fireworks, mosaic multicultural festival of art and dance, three stages of live entertainment, motorcycle rides, a car show and more.

Reserved seating tickets are available for $10 each for all three nights for the Main Stage concerts. Tickets are on sale at City Hall, 200 N. Fifth Street 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Don’t miss Team Sandtastic where sand artists have from July 2 to the evening of July 4 to carve a magnificent sand sculpture with 100 tons of sand. Find them at Fifth and State Streets and ask for tips.

<em>July 1</em> – 5 p.m.-midnight (carnival only)

<em>July 2</em> – 4 p.m.-midnight (full event)

On stage:

Richard Elliot – 8 p.m.

Neil Goldberg’s Cirque – 9:15 p.m.

Fireworks – 9:45 p.m.

Roberta Flack – 10 p.m.

<em>July 3</em> – noon-midnight (full event)

On stage:

John Kay & Steppenwolf – 8 p.m.

Neil Goldberg’s Cirque – 9:15 p.m.

Fireworks – 9:45 p.m.

Tommy James & Shondells – 10 p.m.

<em>July 4</em> – noon -1 a.m. (full event)

On stage:

Waylon Pierce – 8 p.m.

Neil Goldberg’s Cirque – 9:15 p.m.

Fireworks – 9:45 p.m.

Tracy Byrd – 10 p.m.

<em>July 5</em> – 5 p.m. -11 p.m. (carnival only)

<strong>Richardson</strong>

Richardson will celebrate July 4 in Breckinridge Park, located at Renner and Brand Roads.

Bring a picnic basket and a blanket and enjoy live performance with a firework finale. The event is free and the park will be open all day. Food concessions will be served at 6 p.m.

7 p.m. – Signal2Noise

8:35 p.m. – Richardson Community Band performance

9:35 – Fireworks

<strong>Addison</strong>

Addison will celebrate a day early on July 3 with its annual Kaboom Town event in the Addison Circle Park, located at 15650 Addison Road. Kaboom Town was voted “One of the top 10 great places to honor the Home of the Brave,” by USA Today.

2 to 10 p.m. – Free Family Fun, with music by FM 99.5 The Wolf.

7:30 p.m. – Historic warplane flyovers by Cavanaugh Flight Museum.

9:30 – Fireworks, tune into FM 99.5 The Wolf

10 p.m. – Lone Star Drive-in movie “Top Gun”

<strong>Frisco</strong>

Frisco will celebrate July 4 with “Freedom Fest” from 4-10 p.m. at Hall Office Park, 6801 Gaylord Parkway. Events throughout the day will include a children’s expo, hometown hero exhibit, live performances and the Taste of Frisco.

4 p.m. – Local bands

7 p.m. – Stevie Brock, K.C. and the Sunshine Band

Fireworks will follow the concert.