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Independence Day is Friday, but you can celebrate the birth of our nation beginning today.

All-American Celebration With the ASO. Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "A Lincoln Portrait," with a surprise narrator. Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story"; Theofanidis' "Rainbow Body!"; Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture; and Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Robert Spano conducts. 8 p.m. concert; 9:37 p.m. post-concert live WSB-TV's HD broadcast of the fireworks from Lenox Square, Atlanta (Buckhead) July Fourth. $21-$64. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 404-733-5397, 404-249-6400, www.vzwamp.com.

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An American Celebration. The Dunwoody United Methodist Chancel Choir and Symphonic Wind Ensemble perform favorite works from composer Stephen Foster as well as selections from Howard Hanson's "Song of Democracy." 4 p.m. June 29. Free. Dunwoody United Methodist Church, 1548 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody. 770-394-0675, www.dunwoodyumc.org.

American Celebration 2008. This community event sponsored by three area churches offers crafts, face painting, inflatables, a car show and music on two stages. Complimentary food and beverages available. A fireworks show at dark. 4-9:30 p.m. July Fourth. Free. First Baptist Church of Snellville, 2400 Main St. East, Snellville. 770-978-7000, www.fbcsnell.org.

Army Ground Forces Jazz Guardians-Starlight Concert Series. "Star Spangled Spectacular" concert. At KSU Campus Green. 8 p.m. June 29. Free. Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw. 770-423-6650, www.kennesaw.edu/arts.

Duluth Celebrates America. Fireworks display, live music, food, drinks and the United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team. 6 p.m. July 3. Free. Scott Hudgens Park, River Green Business Park, River Green Parkway, Duluth. 678-475-3512, www.duluth-ga.com.

Fourth of July Celebration. Children's activities include arts and crafts, performances, inflatables and stilt walkers. Free musical entertainment starts at 5 p.m. with a performance by the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. The evening culminates with a fireworks display synchronized with patriotic music. Noon-10 p.m. July Fourth. Free. Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Centennial Olympic Park Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-222-7275, www.centennialpark.com/events/fjuly.html.

Georgia Independence Day Festival. Visitors get a taste of the American Revolution through a visit with the "Founding Fathers," music, colonial craftspeople, dancing and food. Fireworks at dusk. 3 p.m. July 3-4. $5; $2 ages 6-12; ages 5 and younger free. Nash Farm, 4361 Jonesboro Road, Hampton. 770-288-7300, www.co.henry.ga.us/HomePageMisc/flyers/PR_GIDF_F.pdf.

July Fourth Salute to America. Activities include a Kid Zone featuring giant slides, a rock wall, face painters, balloon artist and an obstacle course. Live musical entertainment begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks display begins at approximately 9:40 p.m. Lenox Square and WSB-TV are hosts. 4 p.m. July Fourth. Free. Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-233-6767, www.lenoxsquare.com.

July Fourth Festivities and Fireworks. Children's activities and entertainment. Food vendors. On the Event Lawn behind Alpharetta Community Center. 5 p.m. July Fourth. Free. Wills Park, 11925 Wills Road, Alpharetta. 678-297-6165, www.alpharetta.ga.us.

Pied Piper Parade, Concert & Fireworks. Participants encouraged to decorate bicycles, skateboards or wagons and walk, ride or skate in the downtown Decatur parade. Concert on the square features the Callanwolde Concert Band. Fireworks rain date Aug. 31. Sponsored by DeKalb Medical Center and Decatur Business Association. Parade 6 p.m.; concert 7 p.m.; fireworks 9 p.m. July Fourth. Free. Decatur Square, West Ponce de Leon Avenue at Clairmont Avenue, Decatur. 404-371-8262, www.decaturga.com/events_july4.aspx.