(MSC News)--Numerous local communities will commemorate the nation's Independence with events planned for the July 4th holiday.  

The Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce is planning for a full weekend of activities for this year’s Fourth of July celebration. Chamber Administrator Eric Thompson says the activities will kick off Friday with a fireworks display near Noble Park at dark. On Saturday, what’s being billed as “ Rides, Rods, and Rig’s will be held in the area of 9th and Oregon Streets—a car, motorcycle and semi show being sponsored by HD Repair and J & B Contractors.  Registration will start at 10 in the morning, judging starts at noon and awards will be announced at 2:30.  There is no entry fee, and trophies will go to the People Choice winners for each category.  Then on Sunday, Thompson said there will be a BBQ Cook-off  in front of City Hall on  7th Street  sponsored by Mike Grier with American Family Insurance.

Vendors can set up at 8 in the morning, with judging from 11:30 to 3.    Registration forms are available at the Hiawatha Chamber of Commerce. 

The Brown County community of Horton will also celebrate this holiday weekend. 

That includes fireworks at dusk Friday evening at Mission Lake, followed on Saturday by the annual Free Kids Fishing Derby. Happening at the Little Lake, registration begins at 7:30 Saturday morning with 5 age categories to take part. 

A full day of events is also planned for Saturday in Robinson, starting in the morning at 7:00 with the Robinson Fire Department Pancake Feed. The Nail Keg Derby is also planned for the day, along with a 4:00 parade, and other activities, leading up to the launching of fireworks at dark. 

The Doniphan County community of Highland also has a full day planned for Saturday, including a 10:00 parade, inflatables for the kids, live music and other activities, leading up to fireworks at dusk. 

An all day Troy Lion's Club celebration is set for Saturday, starting with breakfast at 7:00, followed by numerous activities, including a fishing derby and a 4:00 parade. Fireworks will be launched at 9:30. 

Sabetha will also mark the holiday Friday, with the alumni Legion Baseball Games starting at 6:00 at Somerset Park, followed by fireworks at dark at the ball complex. 

In Holton, Friday evening will kick-off at Banner Creek Reservoir with the Jackson County Community Band at 8:00, followed by a fireworks display. 

A big day is planned in Bern Saturday with activities running all day leading up to the nighttime fireworks display. 

Event organizers are hard at work preparing for the annual Fourth of July fireworks event at Atchison's Warnock Lake.

The event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 Saturday night, with the fireworks set to be launched from the north side of the dam at the lake.
So far, the weather forecast looks as though it will cooperate, but in the event the weather does turn bad, the event could be postponed until Sunday.

The event is free, and everyone is invited to attend.

The Atchison County community of Lancaster is among others in that area planning Saturday celebrations. That includes a 6:00 parade and fireworks in Kanning Park at dusk. 

Fort Leavenworth will also be a destination Saturday, starting at 4:00. Live music is planned for 5:30, along with a tribute to Vietnam Veterans. Along with other ceremonies, the fireworks are planned to launch a half-hour after sunset. Visitors to Fort Leavenworth without approved credential cards should enter the main gate at Grant and Metropolitan Avenues and use the far right lane. Guests are also encouraged to to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

The Bethel United Methodist Church, in Falls City, will also hold a celebration complete with fireworks on Saturday night. 

The Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department will once again team up with the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce to provide what is billed as the largest free fireworks show in Southeast Nebraska at Dusk on July 4th. 

The fireworks will top off a fun-filled busy day in Humboldt. The action starts at 9 a-m with a mud volleyball tournament at the Airport Road.  The Quad County Car Show takes place from 10 a-m – 5 p-m around the square in Humboldt. There will be free fire truck rides from 3 – 4 starting at the Fire Station,  games for kids at the ballfield begin at 3:30 p-m.  There will also be bingo at the ballfield at a barbecue pork dinner served at the Ag Building along with an ice cream social. A shuttle will run between the ball park and the Ag Building.  

The Humboldt Chamber will have dozen of prizes that will be drawn for as well during the evening while waiting on the fireworks at dusk.  

Auburn will be a busy place on the 4th of July.  

Events kickoff with the 10th annual Nemaha County Veterans Pancake Feed from 7 a-m to 11 a-m at the Calvary Christian Center.  The menu includes pancakes and sausage. Honored will be those that have served in the armed forces as well as firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency management personnel.  A free will offering will be accepted with the funds going toward the Royal Family KIDS, a nationwide network of camps and mentor clubs for children of abuse, abandonment and neglect. 

Beginning at 5 p-m a dinner will be served at Irvin Park, sponsored by the Auburn High School Interact Club which is supported by the Auburn Rotary Club. 

At 10 p-m the annual fireworks display will take place near the Auburn High School.  The Auburn Eagles and Auburn Volunteer Fire Department co-sponsor the fireworks.

If the weather does not cooperate on the 4th, the fireworks display will be held on July 5th.  

The annual Freedom Day Celebration in Brownville will kick off that morning with a 7 a-m with participants competing in either a 5-kilometer run, a 10-kilometer run or a half-marathon.

The Strut Your Mutt Dog Show begins at 9 a-m at the Village Hall; at 10 a-m the Freedom Day parade will travel down Main Street from Sixth Street to Second Street. Parade set-up begins at 8 a-m.  

The Brownville museums will be open in the afternoon and there will be trolley rides, riverboat rides, music, food and a performance of Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming. 

The day will wrap up with the fireworks on the banks of the Missouri River.  

The July 4th celebration starts early in Mound City.  Thursday evening at 6:30 p-m the Baby Show will be held at the State Theater beginning at 6:30 p-m. 

Friday night the Patriotic Opening will begin at 7 p-m at the State Theater sponsored by American Legion Post #121. The King and Queen will be crowned and war veterans will be recognized.  The 4th of July Queen will be crowned and at dusk the Fireworks display will be held at the Mound City Golf Course. 

Saturday, July 4th events in Mound City include the 25th Annual Red Rock Fun Run at 8 a-m; a parade with a theme “America The Beautiful” begins at 10 a-m.  Also during the day there will be a barbecue chicken dinner and ice cream social at 11:30 a-m in the Park;  a 1 p-m Community Band concert will be held at Griffith Park, there will be a kids pedal tractor pull, a 2 p-m pet show; a 3 p-m penny toss at the swimming pool and at 4 p-m the ping pong ball drop will be held at the football field.  

For more events planned in conjunction with the holiday go here.