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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 http://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. ThursdayWhere: Summit and Lindsay streets across from the Greensboro Historical MuseumTickets: $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 tunnelsWhen: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. FridayEtc: 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 Band12:15 p.m.: Contagious Blues Band1:45 p.m.: Red Hot Poker Dots3:30 p.m.: Holy Ghost Tent Revival5 p.m.: Carter Brothers Band

Children's/Teen Stage

Festival Park, 200 N. Davie St.10:30 a.m.: Sam the Magic Man11:30 a.m.: Big Bang Boom1 p.m.: TBA3 p.m.: We Are Masked4:15 p.m.: Nugget5:30 p.m.: Trees Are Pretty

WFMY Stage

North Davie Street at Friendly Avenue10:30 a.m.: Street Feet BandNoon: Lo-Fi Breakdown1:30 p.m.: The Soul Brothers Band3 p.m.: Citified4:30 p.m.: Thacker Dairy Road

Center City Park Pavilion

Center City Park, Friendly Avenue, Davie and Elm streets10:30 a.m.: Old South Dixieland Band11:15 a.m.: Jamestown Pipes and DrumsNoon: Kuumba West African Drums12:45 p.m.: Sweet Magic Combo1:45 p.m.: Nutbush Ramblers3 p.m.: True Brothers4:15 p.m.: Historical Characters4:30 p.m.: Greensboro Big Band

WEAL Gospel/WNAA Stage

Bellemeade and North Elm streets10:30 a.m.: Various Gospel Artists12:15 p.m.: Ron Jones, Shauna Greene and Sencere1 p.m.: Todd Curry and Focus2 p.m.: God's Image (G.I.)2:30 p.m.: Ten Commandment Band3:45 p.m.: Beautiful Experience4:25 p.m.: Elhosee4:45 p.m.: Lion Tracks5:30 p.m.: Junkyard Band

The Libby Hill Wonder Stage

West Friendly Avenue at North Elm Street10:15 a.m.: Kris Ferris11 a.m.: Rajen Sukhadia-Sangeet Anand Musical Arts12:10 p.m.: David Via1 p.m.: Andrea Reese2 p.m.: Three Graces Entertainment3 p.m.: Kris Ferris3:30 p.m.: Lee Tyler Post4:45 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, GreensboroEtc.: Rain date Saturday.7:30: Patriotic concert with the Greensboro Concert Band9:30: Gate City Fireworks Spectacular with patriotic music

OTHER EVENTS

Independence Day CelebrationWhat: 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. ThursdayWhere: Burlington City Park, South Church Street, BurlingtonAdmission: FreeInformation: 222-5030 or http://www.burlingtonnc.gov/recreation

Tweetsie Railroad's July 4 FireworksWhat: Rides, evening entertainment and fireworks at Tweetsie Railroad theme parkWhen: Park open until 9 p.m. FridayWhere: Tweetsie Railroad,

300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane off U.S. 321, Blowing RockAdmission: $30 for adults, $22 for children ages 3-12, free for children age 2 or youngerInformation: (800) 526-5740 or http://www.tweetsie.comEtc.: 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.