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Independence Day is here again, and Greensboro has music, fireworks and other festivities to help kick off your celebration.

When you're not cooking out in the backyard, head downtown and experience what the Fun Fourth Festival has to offer. For more information on the events, call 274-4595 or visit
www.aroundthepiedmonttriad.com/gsofestivals.

Kick-off Block Party
What: Features food, ice cold beer and Coca-Cola, and live music from South Central featuring J-Bird at 7 p.m. and Black and Blue at 8:30 p.m.
When: 7-11 p.m. Thursday
Where: Summit and Lindsay streets across from the Greensboro Historical Museum
Tickets: $10 at the gate

Fun Fourth Street Festival
What: Features a parade at
9:30 a.m., food, six stages of live music, amusement rides, a children's village with games and crafts, a "craftscene" with more than 100 artisans and craftsmen, and cool mist rain tunnels
When: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday
Etc: Free parking in the Greene Street, Church Street and Bellemeade Street parking decks

98.7 Simon Stage
Church Street, Summit Avenue and Lindsay Street (near the Greensboro Historical Museum)
10:45 a.m.: Memphis the Band
12:15 p.m.: Contagious Blues Band
1:45 p.m.: Red Hot Poker Dots
3:30 p.m.: Holy Ghost Tent Revival
5 p.m.: Carter Brothers Band

Children's/Teen Stage
Festival Park, 200 N. Davie St.
10:30 a.m.: Sam the Magic Man
11:30 a.m.: Big Bang Boom
1 p.m.: TBA
3 p.m.: We Are Masked
4:15 p.m.: Nugget
5:30 p.m.: Trees Are Pretty

WFMY Stage
North Davie Street at Friendly Avenue
10:30 a.m.: Street Feet Band
Noon: Lo-Fi Breakdown
1:30 p.m.: The Soul Brothers Band
3 p.m.: Citified
4:30 p.m.: Thacker Dairy Road

Center City Park Pavilion
Center City Park, Friendly Avenue, Davie and Elm streets
10:30 a.m.: Old South Dixieland Band
11:15 a.m.: Jamestown Pipes and Drums
Noon: Kuumba West African Drums
12:45 p.m.: Sweet Magic Combo
1:45 p.m.: Nutbush Ramblers
3 p.m.: True Brothers
4:15 p.m.: Historical Characters
4:30 p.m.: Greensboro Big Band

WEAL Gospel/WNAA Stage
Bellemeade and North Elm streets
10:30 a.m.: Various Gospel Artists
12:15 p.m.: Ron Jones, Shauna Greene and Sencere
1 p.m.: Todd Curry and Focus
2 p.m.: God's Image (G.I.)
2:30 p.m.: Ten Commandment Band
3:45 p.m.: Beautiful Experience
4:25 p.m.: Elhosee
4:45 p.m.: Lion Tracks
5:30 p.m.: Junkyard Band

The Libby Hill Wonder Stage
West Friendly Avenue at North Elm Street
10:15 a.m.: Kris Ferris
11 a.m.: Rajen Sukhadia-Sangeet Anand Musical Arts
12:10 p.m.: David Via
1 p.m.: Andrea Reese
2 p.m.: Three Graces Entertainment
3 p.m.: Kris Ferris
3:30 p.m.: Lee Tyler Post
4:45 p.m.: TBA

Pop Concert and Fireworks Spectacular
When: 7:30-10 p.m. Friday
Where: Jamieson Stadium at Grimsley High School, 801 Westover Terrace, Greensboro
Etc.: Rain date Saturday.
7:30: Patriotic concert with the Greensboro Concert Band
9:30: Gate City Fireworks Spectacular with patriotic music

OTHER EVENTS

Independence Day Celebration
What: Features food, games, rides, fireworks and performances by The Embers at 6 p.m. and The Company Shops Concert Band at 9:15 p.m.
When: 5-10 p.m. Thursday
Where: Burlington City Park, South Church Street, Burlington
Admission: Free
Information: 222-5030 or www.burlingtonnc.gov/recreation

Tweetsie Railroad's July 4 Fireworks
What: Rides, evening entertainment and fireworks at Tweetsie Railroad theme park
When: Park open until 9 p.m. Friday
Where: Tweetsie Railroad, 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane off U.S. 321, Blowing Rock
Admission: $30 for adults, $22 for children ages 3-12, free for children age 2 or younger
Information: (800) 526-5740 or www.tweetsie.com
Etc.: Parking is $5 per vehicle or free for Golden Rail Season Pass holders

Contact Alexa Milan at 373-7081 or alexandra.milan@news-record.com