Anchorage
July 4 celebration and parade -- Head to the Delaney Park Strip at 11 a.m. for a parade on Ninth Avenue between K and I Streets. The parade will be followed by a festival on the Park Strip from noon to 6 p.m., with free entertainment, children's activities and vendors. At 1 p.m. there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the flagpole on I Street. Parking is free on July 4 at all downtown Easy Park Parking garages, lots and metered parking. (279-7500, anchoragejuly4thcelebration.com)
Doubleheader baseball games and fireworks -- Take in a bit of America's pastime at Mulcahy Stadium during the annual Glacier Pilots-Bucs Alaska Baseball League doubleheader. Games start at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $8. If you stick around you'll get a great view of the fireworks beginning at 11:20 p.m. (anchoragebucs.com, anchorageglacierpilots.com)
American Blues, Bikes and Warriors Festival -- The Crazy Horse is hosting a rock'n'roll festival for the Fourth, with music from Guitar Shorty, Joey Fender and The 55s and other bands. There will also be a beer garden, food trucks and vendors. Starting at 5 p.m. at the Crazy Horse, 1565 Gambell St. $20. (279-1231)
All-American Picnic -- Enjoy all some classic picnic fare on the Anchorage Museum lawn, including fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Picnic held outdoors, weather permitting. Starting at noon at the Anchorage Museum, 625 C St. $14.95; children younger than 12 pay their age. (929-9200, anchoragemuseum.org)
Wasilla
Independence Day Celebration -- The City of Wasilla will hold a parade at 11 a.m. and Mayor's Picnic from 1-3 p.m. There will be free hot dogs, music and games for kids at Iditapark (near the Honor Garden). Fireworks will start at 11:45 p.m. West Nelson Avenue. Free. (357-9100, cityofwasilla.com; wasillaevents.com)
Talkeetna
Moose on Parade -- Businesses, artists and other groups in Talkeetna have been constructing moose sculptures – some four feet tall, some life size — which will parade down Main Street for the Fourth. After the parade they will be auctioned off. Noon-1 p.m. (talkeetnachamber.org/schedule/event)
Girdwood
Forest Fair -- It's not for Independence Day, exactly, but it is an Alaska Fourth of July weekend tradition. Forest Fair features Alaskan artists, hand-crafted items, exotic foods and entertainers from across the state. There will also be a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday. Free admission. The fair is held from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday at Mile 2.2 Alyeska Highway. (girdwoodforestfair.com)
Seward
Mount Marathon Race -- Another classic Fourth of July road trip destination, Seward's famous footrace will push athletes to the limit over a 3,022 mountain course. The seaside town roughly doubles in population for a day, with a parade at 1:30 p.m. and festivities continuing through the night. Juniors start at 9:30 a.m., women at 11:15 a.m. and men at 3 p.m. (For more info see seward.com or contact the Seward Chamber of Commerce at 907-224-8051)