Independence Day is upon us, and it's time to celebrate all things American -- which, in Alaska, includes animals in costume, burlesque dancers, vintage airplanes and running up and down a treacherous mountain just because it's there. Whatever your personal taste, it's a sure bet you'll find a Fourth of July celebration somewhere around the state that reflects your own unique American pride.

While Anchorage will be home to a host of great parties this weekend, a national holiday is a swell excuse to hit the road and see a bit more of our big wild corner of America. For those who have the urge to get out of town, Seward is undoubtedly the most popular destination -- the town's population swells to around 40,000 for Independence Day, according to the Seward Chamber of Commerce -- but parties to mark the United States' 233 birthday are planned in communities statewide.

Lest you feel overwhelmed by the possibilities (chili cook-offs! Boat races! The return of the Girdwood Forest Fair!), here's a list of a few sure bets in Anchorage and around the state. For a complete list of statewide Independence Day celebrations, check out the calendar on page six or events.adn.com

Anchorage

The official Anchorage celebration kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday, with a pancake breakfast on the Delaney Park Strip at H Street ($5 per person). The annual parade -- which this year also celebrates the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood -- begins at 11:30 a.m. and runs west along Ninth Avenue to P Street, then east on 10th Avenue to E Street. The fun continues with food, vendors, and entertainment until 6 p.m., including the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1 p.m., and the International Chili Society's Midnight Sun Alaska Regional Chili Cook-Off, ongoing throughout the day.

4thFest

Bernie's Bungalow Lounge, 626 D St.

Party all day and into the night at Bernie's, which will feature local acoustic, jazz, rap and rock musicians, along with performances by the lovely ladies of VivaVoom Brr-Lesque. Featured acts include The Snapping Turtle Swing Band, Double Aught and The Smile Ease. $10 gets you in the door; bands play from 4 p.m. until midnight, with a DJ to follow.

Baseball double-header

Mulcahy Stadium, 16th Avenue and Cordova Street

Hometown rivals the Anchorage Bucs and the Anchorage Glacier Pilots face off in the annual Fourth of July double-header at Mulcahy Stadium. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., and the first game starts at 6 p.m., with the traditional midnight fireworks show following the second game. Tickets are $6 at the gate, but you can score them for half-price in advance at all Anchorage and Eagle River NAPA stores.

Salmon Bake & Fly-By

Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, 4721 Aircraft Drive

Airplane junkies rejoice: The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum is celebrating the Fourth of July with vintage aircraft fly-bys, plus an all-you-can-eat salmon, hamburger and hot dog buffet, beer and wine garden, live music and auctions. Capt. Phil Harris (of "The Deadliest Catch" fame) will be on hand to sign autographs. The fun starts at 3 p.m. and wraps up at 8 p.m.; tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children.

Eagle River

Eagle River Fourth of July Celebration

Eagle River Lions Park: Mile 1.5 Eagle River Road

Get a jump start on your patriotic weekend at the Eagle River Fourth of July Celebration, which will actually be held today from 6 p.m. to midnight. The community celebration culminates with midnight fireworks and continues at 2 p.m. tomorrow with a parade.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks July Fourth Celebration

Pioneer Park (formerly known as Alaskaland): 2300 Airport Way

Fairbanks will mark the Fourth of July with a military flag ceremony at 11 a.m. on the riverboat Nenana, followed by a community celebration of family activities, live music, a craft bazaar and an Air Force fly-over. Children's activities run through 4 p.m.; live music will continue until 8 p.m.

North Pole Summer Festival & Parade

Santa Claus House, 101 Saint Nicholas Drive

It's Christmas in July at North Pole's summer festival and Independence Day celebration. The open-air festival will include entertainment, food, a kids' fishing derby, family activities and prizes. The party runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a parade at noon.

Girdwood

Girdwood Forest Fair

Mile 2.2 Alyeska Highway

After a one-year hiatus and worries of an uncertain future, the Girdwood Forest Fair is back in action with live music, food, crafts and more. The fair is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, with a parade at 11 a.m. Saturday. Camping is allowed at the Forest Fair campground for $25 per night; public camping will be prohibited in Girdwood all weekend. Admission to the fair is free.

Homer

13th Annual Homer Yacht Club-Land's End Regatta

Homer Spit

The Homer Yacht Club and Land's End Resort present their annual sailboat race, which begins at the deep water dock on the Homer Spit at 1 p.m. Saturday. Views of the race will be possible at a variety of locations along the Spit. Sailing enthusiasts interested in crewing for skippers who may need extra hands should meet at Homer Harbor's P Float at 11 a.m. on race day.

Seward

Mount Marathon

You haven't celebrated a real Alaska Fourth of July until you've spent the nation's birthday in Seward, where each year since 1915 brave souls have raced up and down Mount Marathon on a steep course peppered with cliffs and loose shale. (Race organizers recommend helmets, goggles, gloves, and knee and elbow pads.) While the hard-core runners tackle the mountain, the rest of the crowd fills Main Street for entertainment, activities, food vendors and the annual parade. Seward's Fourth of July celebration kicks off with fireworks at 12:01 a.m. Saturday; full schedule at seward.com.

Willow

Pet Costume Contest

Willow Community Center, Milepost 69.5 Parks Highway