Fourth Festivities

Whether you're looking for a great fireworks display, an excuse to try dozens of different apple pies or stuff your face with hot dogs, or just a way to entertain the kids, parties all over the metro area celebrating our nation are sure to please.

Winter Park

Bring your lawn chair and have a picnic at Winter Park's Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration at Central Park, 111 N. Park Ave. on Saturday, July 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. full of fun, games, and inflatables for the kids. Call 407-599-3203 for more information.

Altamonte Springs

Come see the largest fireworks display in Central Florida on Saturday July 3 from 4-11 p.m., at the Red Hot & Boom Independence Day celebration at Cranes Roost Park in Uptown Altamonte (Intersection of Interstate 4 and State Road 436). It's free. For more information, call 407-571-8180.

Baldwin Park

The Rotary Club of Baldwin Park invites everyone to attend their first old-fashioned Independence Day celebration Saturday, July 3 at 4 p.m. A watermelon-eating contest, best homemade apple pie contest, and most patriotic dog contest will highlight the night before the 8:45 p.m. fireworks display.

Maitland

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than by watching "Independence Day" starring Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum. The Enzian Theater is offering a free outdoor screening Sunday, July 4, at 8:30 p.m. Come watch the movie with friends and family at 1300 S. Orlando Ave. in Maitland. For more information, call 407-629-0054.

Geneva

Don't miss Geneva's unique small town Independence Day Parade & Festival. The 4th of July Parade will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 3 this year so as not to interfere with Sunday church. Make a float, decorate your bicycle or your horse, win a prize. The theme is "Geneva - Southern Style".

Winter Springs

Celebrate the 4th of July in Winter Springs at the Celebration of Freedom '10 on Sunday, July 4 at 5 p.m. at Central Winds Park, 1000 E. State Road 434, with live music, kids games and activities, food vendors and fireworks. It's free. For more information, call 407-327-6593.

Oviedo

Come join the annual Independence Day Celebration Sunday, July 4, from 3-9 p.m. at the Oviedo Gymnasium, 148 Oviedo Blvd. Participants will enjoy live entertainment, great food, games, contest and of course, a wonderful fireworks display. Call 407-971-5555 for more information.

Avalon Park

The 4th of July Celebration kicks off Sunday, July 4 from 5-9 p.m. in Avalon Park's downtown, off Avalon Park Boulevard. Community performances, a bike parade, an apple pie bake off and a hot dog-eating contest will highlight the night with the help of local sponsors. Call 407-658-6565 for detail.

Sanford

Enjoy an old-fashioned Fourth of July with Star Spangled Sanford on Sunday, July 4 at the Fort Mellon Park on Lake Monroe. Bring a lawn chair and let the kids play in Central Florida's largest splash pad while enjoying a stupendous fireworks display over Lake Monroe. For more information, call 407- 688-5170.

Lake Mary

The city of Lake Mary presents Red Rock & Blue on Saturday, July 3 from 6:30-10 p.m. Celebrate Independence Day at Central Park (near City Hall) with a picnic or with food and beverages from local vendors. Call 407-585-1428 for details.