This week
"North Georgia's Largest Fireworks Show," Braselton. Racing and fireworks. Qualifying at 6 p.m.; race at 7 p.m. Friday, Lanier National Speedway, 1 Raceway Drive, Braselton. $20 general admission, $5 age 11 and younger, free for age 5 and younger; $10 trackside parking. 770-967-8600.
American Legion fireworks, Gainesville. Sponsored by Paul E. Bolding Post 7. Snow cones, hot dogs, horse shoes and fireworks at dusk. Noon Saturday, Laurel Park, 3100 Old Cleveland Highway, Gainesville.Fourth of July Celebration, Helen. Music by David Blackmon & Curley Maple, games, food and drinks. 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Rivermist Lodge, 6965 S. Main St., Helen. 706-878-1234 or 706-878-9463.
Fourth of July fireworks, Suches. Rubber duck race, live music and clogging. Bring lawn chairs. 7 p.m. Saturday, fireworks at dusk. Woody Gap School, 3736 Ga. 60, Suches. Free.
Fourth of July celebration, Dahlonega. Reading of the Constitution, pet show, patriotic music, watermelon cutting and auto show. Fireworks at dusk. 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Saturday, downtown Dahlonega. Fireworks at the North Georgia College & State University Drill Field, 82 College Circle, Dahlonega. Free downtown parking, $5 parking at NGCSU.
Star Spangled Classic, Athens. Fireworks, games, inflatable jumping toys and music. 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Bishop Park, 705 Sunset Drive, Athens. Free. 706-613-3589.
Fabulous Fourth, Buford. Live music, fireworks and "Independence Day" screening. 2 p.m. Saturday, with fireworks at dusk and movie after fireworks. Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. Free. 678-482-8788.
Fantastic Fireworks Show, Dillard. Outdoor cookouts for lunch and dinner; fireworks at dusk. Noon to dusk Saturday, Dillard House front lawn, 768 Franklin St., Dillard. Various prices for meals. 800-541-0671.Family Fun Day, Dahlonega. Formal flag raising, Appalachian music, "patriotic" speeches, gold panning, arts and crafts and gold mining. Saturday, The Dahlonega Gold Museum, 1 Public Square, Dahlonega. Museum admission $3.50-$5. 706-864-2257.
Staycation, Gainesville. Family events at various Hall County parks. Monday-July 11. Various prices; some activities free. 770-535-8280.
Upcoming
Family Movie Night, Flowery Branch. PG movie. Dusk July 10, The Springs Church, 6553 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch. Free admission, popcorn and drinks. 770-335-9073.
"Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop," Gainesville. 2:30 p.m. July 12, Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville. $10 adults, $8 students and children. 770-534-2787.
Georgia Mountain Fair, Hiawassee. Arts and crafts booths, carnival rides, pony rides, parade and concerts. July 15-25, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee. $9 admission, $15 admission with unlimited carnival rides, free for kids age 9 and younger; parking $2. 706-896-4191 or gamtfair@windstream.net.
Ongoing
"Tools for Living," Sautee. Exhibit of tools used to sustain early valley inhabitants. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sautee Nacoochee Community Association History Museum, 283 Ga. 255 N, Sautee. 706-878-3300.
Movies Under the Stars, Buford. 6:30 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 22. Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788.
Story times, Hall County. Children can listen to stories, sometimes read by special guests. Various days and times at libraries in the Hall County Library System. Free.
"Waters of Time: The Chicopee Woods Story," Gainesville. Learn about previous eras and inhabitants of Chicopee Woods. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturdays, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $3 adults, $2 children ages 2-12, age 1 and younger and members free. 770-535-1976.
"Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries," Atlanta. Through Aug. 16, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta. $15 adults, $14 students and seniors age 62 and older with ID, $13 children ages 3-12, free for children age 2 and younger and museum members. 404-929-6400.