Liliana Nocella waves the flag as she leads the Saranac Lake Fourth of July Kiddie Parade in 2024. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

With the Fourth of July coming up on Friday, local towns each have planned events to celebrate the ratification of the Declaration of Independence 249 years ago. Independence Day marks the official separation of the American colonies from Great Britain’s rule in 1776.

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Saranac Lake

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Starting the day on Friday, the Women’s Civic Chamber will hold their 71st annual Kiddie Parade, with children marching, biking or riding in strollers through downtown, decked out in patriotic clothes or dressed for the theme, “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.”

The parade line-up will begin at 9:45 a.m. behind St. Bernard’s School, at 63 Main St. No registration is needed to participate. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m., heading down Church Street to Main Street and concluding at Riverside Park, where there will be a short ceremony and goodie bags for the kids.

That evening, there will be fireworks over Lake Flower at the Prescott IPW Park and boat launch on River Street at 9 p.m.

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Tupper Lake

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Tupper Lake has a slew of all-American events lasting throughout the day on Friday from 4:30 to 10 p.m.

The weekly live music Summer Sunset Series kicks off at the Sunset Stage bandshell in Flanders Park with jazz band Moment’s Notice at 4:30 p.m. and classic rock band Legend at 7 p.m., presented by Tupper Arts.

The Tupper Lake Riverpigs baseball team will face off against the Saranac Lake Surge in a battle of the two Tri-Lakes Empire League teams at Raquette Pond Stadium at 7 p.m.

Fireworks paid for by the town and village will begin at dusk.

There is plenty of free parking at the Tupper Lake Waterfront Park.

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Lake Placid

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This holiday weekend is packed with both indoor and outdoor events in the Lake Placid region.

On Friday, there will be a continuation of the I Love New York Horse Show. The events begin at 8 a.m. at the North Elba Show Grounds on state Route 73 and continue into the afternoon. Admission costs $8 on weekdays and $10 on weekends. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be available at the entrance gate.

If you’re in the vicinity at approximately 11:12 a.m. — look up. Four F-35 Lightning II aircraft with the Vermont National Guard will be doing a flyover around that time.

Other festivities in Lake Placid begin at 5 p.m. with the Fourth of July parade down Main Street. The route begins at the Olympic Center and ends at the intersection of Main Street and Saranac Avenue. This year’s theme is “The People’s Parade.”

“We want this to feel like a true hometown celebration,” said Catherine Ericson, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism community liaison and member of the organizing committee. “Whether you’re a local business, a scout troop, a group of co-workers or just a few friends who want to dress up and bring some joy to Main Street — we want you in this parade. This is a chance to showcase the creativity, spirit and pride of our community.”

At 9:30 p.m., the Lake Placid Fourth of July Fireworks will begin over Mirror Lake. This event is expected to draw a crowd, so people are encouraged to find a place early. To hear the fireworks set to music, tune in to 93.3 FM, or download the “Lake FM — Lake Placid” app.

On Saturday and Sunday, the I Love New York Horse Show continues, starting both days at 8 a.m. Saturday’s fun will feature slightly smaller animals with the Doggie Costume Contest. Registration for this event starts at 11:30 a.m. for the noon start time.

Across the street on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Olympic Jumping Complex at 5486 Cascade Road will be hosting the Star-Spangled Ski Jump competition. Competitions in both live ski jumping and Nordic combined will include athletes of all levels, from youth to elite. There will also be running and roller skiing races and an awards ceremony. Other family-friendly activities include food trucks, lawn games, crafts, face painting and giveaways.

Rounding out the day on Saturday, the state Olympic Regional Development Authority is hosting illusionist Leon Etienne at the Conference Center, 634 Main St., Lake Placid. The show begins at 7 p.m. and will include “fast-paced illusions and sleight-of-hand magic suited for all ages.”

Keene

The third annual Keene Community Day will be on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. at Marcy Field. The event will include live music, food, tug of war, beaver toss and other kids’ games. There will also be fireworks after dark. The rain date for the event is the next day, Sunday.

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Jay

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Saturday will also be the beginning of the Jay Summer Concert Series. Most weeks, the concerts will take place outdoors on the gazebo lawn at 15 Parkside Road. This week, the performance by The Larry Ham Trio will be indoors at the adjacent Amos & Julia Ward Theater from 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be available and the Jay Entertainment and Music Society is accepting donations.

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Long Lake

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In Long Lake, Juuly Fourth celebrations start at 10 a.m. with kids’ games, including sack races and water balloon fights, on the Long Lake Ball Field. These are free activities. The Long Lake Lions Club will be selling strawberry shortcake at noon until it is sold out.

The Long Lake Fire Department will be hosting a sausage and peppers cookout on the Beach at 3 p.m. The annual Fourth of July celebration starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Beach, with live music performed by Grit and Grace and food continuing to be provided by the fire department cookout and the Long Lake Lions Club.

Penelope the Clown will be doing face-painting and balloon animals at the Town Beach gazebo.

The Long Lake Little Bus will provide transportation to and from the fireworks for people using the Long Lake Municipal lot on Main Street. The fireworks will begin at dusk.