Several areas around the county are celebrating the birth of our nation in a variety of ways.

The Campground Community, near Petrey, will be holding their Ninth Annual Campground Community Fourth of July Parade this Saturday, June 30, starting at 10 a.m. (participants meet at 9:30 a.m.).

Hotdogs, watermelons and snow cones will be served following the parade, as well as a variety of entertainment.  Giant water slides will be available for children, wading pools for toddlers and live music will be performed by the church band.

For more information, call Sherrill Jeffcoat at (334) 303-4284 or Amy Russell at (334) 372-0814.

Another parade is on tap for the Fourth of July in Rutledge.

The Rutledge parade will begin at 10 a.m. on the Fourth at town hall, and the organizers request that everyone arrive by 9:45 so everyone can get lined up.

Nearly all vehicles are welcome, and people of all ages (especially kids) are invited.

Afterward, refreshments will be served in town hall.

Call 335-5462 for more information or if you’d like to help with the parade.

Several fireworks shows are also planned for the county.

The City of Luverne and the Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a fireworks display at Turner Park on Tuesday, July 3.  Entertainment will start at 7:30 p.m. and the display will begin shortly afterward at dark.

Petrey will also put on a fireworks display on the Fourth of July starting between 8:30-8:45 p.m. (when the sun has fully set).  A local country western band will perform live at the Petrey Community Center starting around 5:30 p.m., where they will play until the display starts.

Barbecue sandwiches, hotdogs and chips will be served.