Independence Day celebrations from Lake Lanier’s mountain headwaters to its southern shores feature everything from sack races to parades, rock n’ roll to porch pickin’. And of course, there’s nothing like watching fireworks explode above the water. Here’s a sample of what’s happening July 1-4:

July 1 – July Evening of Fun, Mountain City – Old fashioned relay games, Appalachian dancing, live music, 5-8 pm  Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. $5 parking. 706-745-2141, www.gastateparks.org.

July 1 – Red, White & Boat, Gainesville – Celebration at marina for tenants only, 9 pm fireworks visible from various points on the lake, Gainesville Marina, 2145 Dawsonville Hwy.

July 1 – 4 – Margaritaville Lanier Islands, Buford – Live music 7-10 pm, fireworks 10 pm, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy; water park open 11 am – 9 pm Sat.-Tues. Music line-up at LandShark Landing: Mary Kate Farmer, July 1; Josh Coursen, July 2; Chris Chapman, July 3; Rick Stone Band, July 4. Regular admission; $9.99 admission at LandShark Landing. www.margaritavilleresorts.com.

July 4 – Laurel Park Celebration, Gainesville – All day celebration July 4, gates open at 9 am presented by Paul E. Bolding Post 7 American Legion; food vendors, kids’ activities, music, splash pad, and more, fireworks at dark visible from numerous points around north end of lake, 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy. $10 per car.

July 4 – Thomas Mashburn Steam Engine Parade/Independence Day Celebration, Cumming – Parade with sports teams, dance academies, antique cars, tractors and steam engines on Tribble Gap Road from Forsyth Central High School to Cumming Fairgrounds. 10 am – noon; Independence Day Celebration with children’s activities, food, vendors, live music, adult beverages, and more, 4-10 pm, fireworks 9:30 pm Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. www.cummingfair.net.

July 4 – Celebrate the 4th, Braselton – Food, music, parade, fireworks; parade on Ga. 53 begins at 6 p.m., live music and food trucks on the Town Green, 5-10 pm, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.

July 4 – Red, White & Blairsville – Food trucks, bounce houses, and fireworks, 7:30-10 pm, Meeks Park, 11 Pool Lane. www.visitblairsvillega.com.

July 4 – Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, Hiawassee – Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds annual blast in the mountains with live 60s-70s music with Vintage Vixens, 6-8 pm, fireworks 9:45 pm, 1311 Music Hall Rd. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

July 4 – Parade and Celebration, Dahlonega – Firecracker 5K, car show, patriotic parade, free concerts in Hancock Park, DJ and fireworks show on University of North Georgia drill field ad dusk, For schedule: www.dahlonegadda.org.

July 4 – Old Fashioned Celebration, Blairsville – 7 a.m. 5K/1-mile fun run, 9:30 am flag raising ceremony, followed by bicycle parade, pedal boat races, and other activities at one of the nation’s oldest state parks, 9 am – 5 pm, 6 pm concert featuring Struck by Lightning, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. 5K /fun run $20, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-745-2628.

July 4 – Annual Fireworks at Dusk, Helen – Bring lawn chairs and blankets, view fireworks from Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center. Arrive by 9 pm, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. 706 878-2181, www.helenga.org.

July 4 – Mall of Georgia Family Fun Day, Buford –  Village Amphitheatre, 4345 Buford Dr. Details: www.mallofgeorgia.com, 678 482-8788.