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Fourth of July events
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Fireworks explode over Laurel Park as part of the American Legion's fireworks display last year. - photo by SARA GUEVARA

Add some spark to your weekend

Family events

“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.

Patriotic Pops Concert, Gainesville. Gainesville Symphony Orchestra. Bring a picnic and lawn chair or reserve a table. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Brenau University Amphitheatre, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville. $30 adults, $27 seniors, $12 students. 770-532-5727.

Fireworks, Flowery Branch. 9:30-9:50 p.m. Friday, Sterling on the Lake, 7004 Lake Sterling Boulevard, Flowery Branch. 770-967-9777.

Fireworks extravaganza, Buford. Family activities 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday; fireworks 9:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Lake Lanier Islands, 7000 Holiday Road, Buford. 770-932-7200.

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.

Family Fun Day, Dahlonega. Formal flag raising, Appalachian music, patriotic speeches, gold panning, arts and crafts and gold mining. 8:30 a.m.-dusk; museum open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, The Dahlonega Gold Museum, 1 Public Square, Dahlonega. Museum admission $3.50-$5. 706-864-2257.

FreedomFest, Demorest. Featuring Canton Jones, Francesca Batistelli, Shane & Shane and Barlow Girl. Fly-over, military tribute and kids activities. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, The Torch Church of God, 800 Cannon Bridge Road, Demorest. $10 at the gate, $5 parking, $10 vans, $15 buses. 706-778-4063.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bad Habits Band Fourth of July Tailgate Party, Dahlonega. Classic Southern Rock and country. Bring your grill and coolers; live music outside. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, 1450 Lumpkin County Parkway, Dahlonega. $5.

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.

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.