By Morgan Hart
Journal Intern
The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation will host the first event in its 31st annual “I Love America” Summer Celebration Series July 3.
The community is invited to celebrate the Fourth of July event at Wald Park on U.S. 31.
Those who attend are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, family members and friends to take part in activities, music and movies in the park. No pets will be allowed on the field.
Admission is free to all events.
The celebration will open with free swimming from 6-7:30 p.m. and children’s activities provided by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church from 6-8 p.m.
The Shades Mountain Baptist Church Orchestra will present “Pops in the Park,” a concert of patriotic and pops favorites for the entire family, beginning at 7 p.m.
A movie showing of the family film “Rio” will begin at approximately 8 p.m.
Refreshments will be available for purchase. In case of rain, the celebration will be July 13 at Wald Park.
The second event of the “I Love America” series is Aug. 10 at Wald Park with free swimming from 6-7:30 p.m. and children’s activities provided by First Baptist Church of Birmingham from 6-8 p.m.
Music by the Odd Quad will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the Vestavia Hills High School band at 7 p.m. The family film “The Muppets” will be presented at approximately 8 p.m.
For more information, call 823-5011.
Additional area events celebrating the Fourth of July include:
Chelsea
Big Kaboom
July 3, 8 p.m.
Chelsea Park
The city of Chelsea will hold its sixth annual Big Kaboom Fireworks Celebration. The event will feature entertainment by local musical artists and fireworks at the Chelsea Park Subdivision and Chelsea Water Tower. For more information, visit www.cityofchelsea.com or call 678-8455.
Birmingham
Thunder on the Mountain
July 4, 9 p.m.
Vulcan Park and Museum
Thunder on the Mountain will once again illuminate the skies above Vulcan. Free to the public, this year’s show will last about 20 minutes and include a variety of firework shells that will brighten the sky with new colors and patterns. The show will be choreographed to a musical soundtrack featuring a mix of patriotic favorites and popular musical performances. Prime viewing locations include Five Points South, Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook and the UAB campus. Organizers are advising spectators to stake out a viewing point well in advance of the 9 p.m. show. For more information, visit www.visitvulcan.com.
Homewood
Fourth of July Celebration
July 4, 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Homewood
The city of Homewood and the Homewood Parks and Recreation Board will celebrate the Fourth of July in downtown Homewood. The streets will be closed to vehicles. The event opens at 5:30 p.m. and will include inflatables, rides, a DJ and interactive activities. Downtown Homewood is a great place to view the Thunder on the Mountain fireworks show at Vulcan Park. Activities end at the beginning of the fireworks show. Proceeds will benefit the H.E.A.T. program at Homewood Parks and Recreation and other community organizations. H.E.A.T. provides recreational opportunities for Homewood sixth-eighth graders. For more information, email rusty.holley@homewoodal.org.
Birmingham
July 4 Concert
July 4, 7:30 p.m.
UAB Bartow Area Lawn
The free Fourth of July concert presented by the UAB Summer Band will return this Fourth. Bring lawn chairs and picnics to enjoy the musical performance, then watch the fireworks from Red Mountain. The hour-long concert will feature patriotic audience sing-a-long medleys, pops and traditional band music. Restrooms and rain cover are available at Bartow Arena.
Birmingham
Fourth at the Zoo, Red River Hogs Birthday Celebration
July 2-4, All day; July 4, 1:30 p.m.
Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo will celebrate not only the nation’s birthday this Fourth of July, but also three of its special residents. There will be a birthday celebration for the zoo’s three Red River Hogs on July 4 at 1:30 p.m. Star, Spangle and Banner are sisters who were born on July 4, 2006. Learn about Red River Hogs during an educational keeper chat and see Star, Spangle and Banner receive patriotic enrichment birthday gifts. Enjoy all the Zoo has to offer during the holiday, such as exploring the zoo’s newest exhibit, Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter, cooling off in the Foam Zone and experiencing an up-close and personal look at the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show. In honor of our nation’s birthday, all active and retired military and their dependents get free admission to the zoo on July 2, 3 and 4 with valid military identification.
Montevallo
America’s 236th Birthday
July 4, 11 a.m.
American Village
Celebrate Independence Day at the American Village July 4. Gates open at 11 a.m. with events scheduled to begin at noon and continue through evening fireworks. Admission is $5 but free for ages 4 and younger, active military personnel and veterans.
Homewood
OLS July 4th Celebration
July 4, 10 a.m.
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church
Alabama’s longest running barbecue festival will celebrate 63 years in Birmingham July 4 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The festival will feature 5,000 pounds of slow-cooked barbecue, music and karaoke entertainment as well as games. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the day for a chance at a $10,000 grand prize. A popular feature of the fest is the Trash ‘n’ Treasure rummage sale in the gymnasium. Among the thousands of items filling the gym are vintage toys, housewares, jewelry, electronics, clothing and shoes for men, women and children. There will also be a huge tent filled with furniture. The first 300 bargain hunters who donate $5.00 for an early bird ticket will be admitted at 8 a.m. Otherwise, shoppers can enter for free at 9: a.m. Like ‘OLS Trash and Treasure’ on Facebook for updates.
Harpersville
Music and Fireworks in the Vineyards
July 4, 6 p.m.
Morgan Creek Vineyards and Winery
Morgan Creek in Harpersville will host Music and Fireworks in the Vineyards July 4 from 6-9:30 p.m. Entertainment featuring music by Tekneek will kick off the night with food served by Full Moon Bar-B-Que. Tours and wine tasting will be available, but the event is family-friendly. The celebration will end with fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m.
