Fourth of July
now-fri. 4 . Friendship Festival - 22nd annual event features events at Riverside Park in Buffalo, through July 4. Events include heritage arts, family activities, midway, live music and festival idol competition. Celebrate the Fourth of July with a Kiddie Parade at 10:30 a.m. down Tonawanda Street in front of the park followed by a Fourth of July Parade at 1 p.m., fireworks at dusk from Riverside Park; free. (888) 333-1987, www.fr iendshipfestival.com thurs. 3 . Town of Aurora Fireworks - Fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m. Thursday, July 3, Hamlin Park, South Grove Street and Prospect Avenue, East Auror a. thurs. 3 & fri. 4 . Lancaster Independence Days - Centered on Central Avenue, from Broadway to Brookfield Place in Lancaster, the two-day event opens at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 3 with rides and attractions. Friday's activities include a flag raising ceremony (8 a.m.), baby contest (9 a.m.), Lancaster/Depew Teen Idol winners (11 p.m.), followed by a parade on Pleasant Avenue. The main stage will feature The Ifs (3:30 p.m.) and The Strangers (7 p.m.) on Thursday and the Town Band (noon) and Hit N Run (6 p.m.). Events culminate with a fireworks display starting at 10 p.m. Visit www.lancastervillage.org or call 683-7026 for more information. thurs. 3-sat. 5 . Cheektowaga's Celebration - The July 4th events kick off with a carnival and beer pavilion starting at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 3 at Cheektowaga Town Park, 2600 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga and continues until 10:30 p.m. that evening. Activities for Friday start at noon and continue until 11 p.m. with fireworks display at dusk. Local entertainment and beer pavilion only continue on Saturday from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. thurs. 3-sun. 6 . Fourth of July Carnival - Celebrate America's Independence with rides, games of skill and carnival food starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 3 and continuing 1-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-10 p.m. Sunday at the Western New York Event Centre, Main Street, Clarence; free admission, rides $. fri. 4 . Amherst/Williamsville Fireworks - The Billy McEwen Band will kick off the celebration beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, July 4 at the University at Buffalo's bookstore parking lot (Lee and White roads), UB North Campus, Amherst, followed by the Erie County Wind Ensemble at 8:45 p.m., and concluding with a fireworks display along Lake LaSalle. Rain date will be Saturday, July 5. . T-NT Fireworks - There will be a concert at the bandshell next to Tonawanda City Hall on Niagara Street beginning at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks display at dusk (9:40 p.m.), Friday, July 4. Note: Fireworks will not be shot from a barge this year, but rather from a land site on Tonawanda Island in North Tonawanda. . Grand Island Celebration - Kick off the Fourth of July Celebration with a parade starting at 9:35 a.m. up Grand Island Blvd. (Grand Island Blvd. will be closed starting at 8:30 a.m., so arrive early), followed by the annual VFW Independence Day Picnic held at the VFW Post, 2121 Grand Island Blvd. A fireworks display will begin at dusk from Martin's Fantasy Island. Grand Island residents gain free admission to the park with photo identification and proof of residency. Rain date, Saturday, July 5 at dusk. 773-7591 . Orchard Park Parade & Fireworks - The parade kicks off at 8 p.m. Friday, July 4 from the Freeman Road entrance of Orchard Park High School and proceeds south to East Quaker Street. The parade continues west to east and then West Quaker Street to South Lincoln Street, concluding at Orchard Park Middle School at 60 S. Lincoln. Fireworks begin at dusk following award presentations for floats. In case of rain, the parade will not be rescheduled, but fireworks will be held at dusk Saturday, July 5. 662-3366 . Town of Elma Fireworks - Gigantic fireworks display beginning at dusk Friday, July 4 from the Elma Marilla and Wales Boys and Girls Club, 2080 Girdle Road, directly across from Iroquois Central Schools. sat. 5 . Clarence Fireworks - The Clarence celebration is included in the annual Day in the Park activities starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 5 at Clarence Town Park, 10405 Main St., Clarence. The event will feature activities for all ages, including rock climbing, pie eating, live music and refreshments. Fireworks will begin at dusk.