July 4th fireworks events

For those looking to see the rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air, the skies above Talladega, Pell City and Oxford and Gadsden will play host to community fireworks displays celebrating Independence Day.  Pell City’s annual fireworks show kicks off at 9 p.m. Friday at Lakeside Park.

Talladega hosts a Fourth of July celebration starting at 6 p.m. at Veterans Park, its first since the the park got an extensive facelift.

Oxford hosts its annual Freedom Festival Friday at Oxford Lake Park.

Festivities officially begin at 8 a.m. with an “Around the Lake Ramble” for senior citizens.  At 9 a.m., there will be a children’s parade featuring patriotic costumes followed by bicycle and tricycle races. Children who wish to participate in the races are required to wear helmets.  The event also includes an antique car show, a pet show at 9:40 a.m., a karate demonstration at 10:30 a.m, carnival games and caricature drawings from 9:45 a.m until -noon, and swim races at 1 p.m. A fireworks display at 9 p.m. marks the conclusion of the day-long event. In Gadsden the fourth just happens to fall on the day for the cities first Friday celebration. 

A fireworks display comes after First Friday and will be followed by an Etowah Youth Orchestras performance at the Mort Glosser Amphitheatre.