Celebrate the Fourth of July with festivals, fireworks and fun

Just fireworks
Where: Silver Lake Park, Middletown
When: After dusk
Details: Residents planning to attend the show are able to enter the park around 5 to 6 p.m. The Maryland-based company Fireworks Productions puts on the fireworks show, and it usually lasts for 45 minutes. Non-profit vendors will sell food like hotdogs and water ice, and other goodies like glow sticks and jewelry during the show.

Where: Smyrna-Clayton Little League Park on Duck Creek Parkway, near Smyrna High and Middle schools
When: At dusk
Details: Due to construction, no parking will be allowed at Smyrna High School.    Parking is available at the middle school, at Smyrna Municipal Park, and North Elementary School on North Main Street in Smyrna, and  at Eagle Group – Metal Masters on Industrial Drive in Clayton.
   
Where: Rehoboth Beach
When: 9:15 p.m.
Details: Viewable from all along the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk. For more information, go to www.rehomain.com and click on the July 4 link in the calendar or call (302) 227-2772.

Where: Slaughter Beach
When: Fireworks begin at dusk
Details: There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries served from 4 to 9 p.m. Donations are accepted at the bridge. The rain date is July 5. For more information, call (302) 422-8888
Where: Bethany Beach
When: at dusk.

All day celebrations
Where: Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington
Details: Wilmington will host the First State’s largest Independence Day gala, to be highlighted by a performance by the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and fireworks over the Christina River. The free event, dubbed the “Independence Day Freedom Celebration,” will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a wide range of free family fun. 9:45 p.m.: Freedom Celebration Fireworks Finale starts at 9:45 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.ci.wilmington.de.us/July4th/ index.htm

Where: University of Delaware’s athletic complex, Newark
Details: The City of Newark’s annual Liberty Day. Live music starts at 4 p.m. with Hook, followed by the Honeycombs at 5:30 p.m. and Club Phred at 7:30 p.m – emphasis will be on songs from the ’50s, ’60s and ‘70s. Fine arts and homemade craft booths will be plentiful, as will games to keep the kids entertained. Fireworks start at dusk – around 9 p.m. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and plenty of sunscreen. For more information, call Newark Parks and Recreation at 302-366-7060 or go to cityofnewarkde.us. The rain date for fireworks only is July 5.

Where: Historic New Castle
Details: New Castle’s bell-ringing ceremony at 2 p.m. All the church bells in historic New Castle will chime 13 times to symbolize the 13 colonies. The town will hold a formal ceremony inside Immanuel Church on the Green starting at 1:25 p.m., which will include a brief worship service and presentation about our nation’s proud origins. Come dressed in your best 18-century attire to mingle with the re-enactors and docents who will be wearing their revolutionary pride on their puffy sleeves. After the bell-ringing, New Castle Mayor John Klingmeyer will speak about the city’s role in the revolution and participants will be led on a tour of Revolutionary War graves in Immanuel’s graveyard.

Where: Downtown Dover
Details: Children’s activities along Federal Street and an entertainment stage in front of the Capitol Building. Dixieland band concert at 6:30 p.m., 287th Army Band of the Delaware National Guard concert at 8:10 p.m., a 6 p.m. parade on State Street and fireworks at 9:20 p.m. For more information, go to www.dover4thofjuly.com

Where: Laurel
Details: A 7:30 a.m. prayer breakfast, which costs $12, a 5K run at 8:30 a.m., a parade at 10 a.m. and a talent show and carnival. For more information, call (302) 875-9319 or go to www.laurelchamber.com.