Highline residents can celebrate their independence from $4 a gallon gas by sticking close to home this Fourth of July. There is an explosion of hometown holiday festivities set throughout the Highline area.

Burien

The 85th annual Burien Independence Day parade will begin at 3 p.m. It will start on Ambaum Boulevard Southwest at Southwest 149th, turn east on Southwest 153rd Street to 2nd Avenue Southwest and loop back to Ambaum on Southwest 152nd Street.

Over 80 units will appear including the popular Chinese Dragon Team from Seattle. Rob Robbins of Burien Sand & Gravel is sponsoring the team.

Also, the Waconia High School Marching Band from Minnesota will entertain.

The parade will be preceded by the 33rd annual Joe Matava Classic and Washington State Juniors Criterium bike races along Southwest 153rd and 152nd streets.

Des Moines

"Fireworks Over Des Moines" will light up the sky at dusk as the Des Moines Arts Commission proudly presents the city's seventh-annual fireworks display, launched from the marina pier, to celebrate our nation's independence.

This Red, White and Blue birthday party kicks off at 6 p.m. with family fun, arts and crafts, food, and entertainment.

Vocalist Joey Jewell will pay homage to "Old Blue Eyes," Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin, together with the big band jazz sounds of the Swing Session

For more information, call 206-870-6527 or visit www.desmoineswa.gov.

Normandy Park

The celebration begins at 10:25 a.m. at Marvista Elementary with the 7th Annual All Downhill Fun Run followed by the 4th of July Parade.

The parade leaves Marvista at 10:30 a.m., traveling north on Marine View Drive to Shorebrook Drive, then west to the Normandy Park Cove.

Children, who participate in the parade, are encouraged to decorate their bikes in the holiday spirit and enter the bike-decorating contest.

Prizes will be awarded for the best patriotic decorations.

A community social at the Cove includes free ice cream, hot dogs, beverages, popcorn, sno-cones, music, car show, blow-up toys and more.

Marine View and Shorebrook will be closed to motor vehicles from approximately 9:30 a.m. to noon.

SeaTac

The City of SeaTac is co-sponsoring fireworks on Angle Lake. The public can view them from Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Boulevard, just after dark.

A special music in the park performance will be held in the park at 5 p.m.

Tukwila

"Family 4th at the Fort" celebrates Tukwila's' Centennial as well as Independence Day.

Beginning at 2 p.m., attractions for children will include inflatable bouncers, slides, a climbing wall and preschooler's area.

Entertainment and food from vendors will also be featured.

A fireworks display begins at 10 p.m.

All events are at Fort Dent Park, 6800 Fort Dent Park Way.

For more information, call 206-768-2822 or log on to www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/recreation/recevent.html.

Tukwila's Museum of Flight

On Friday and Saturday, the museum's exhibits, galleries and store will remain open until 7 p.m. Throughout the weekend, the museum offers programs for the whole family.

Join members of Skyway Post 9430 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Friday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the William M. Allen Theater as they present all 27 versions of the flag that have officially represented the United States over the years. From the first 13-star flag authorized by Congress in 1777 to today's 50-star flag, the presentation of each flag is accompanied with the story of its symbolism.

The museum is located at 9404 East Marginal Way S. in Tukwila.