10. CarmelFest
Reptile and freak shows, blues bands and Celtic singers, Frisbee-catching wonder dogs — the Rotary Club of Carmel presents dozens of events over two days. The St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Monday south of Carmel Drive on AAA Way. Indianapolis police officer and grand marshal Jason Fishburn will lead a pack of re-enactors from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and World Wars I and II. The weekend closes Monday with a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.

» Details: Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday; noon to 10:45 p.m. Monday, 1 Civic Square, Carmel. Admission is free; (317) 571-2400 or www.carmelfest.net.

11. Westfield Rocks the 4th
While Duke Tumatoe and The Power Trio may be headlining the festival at 8:15 p.m. Sunday, the event has much to offer as early as 11 a.m., when the Headliner Car Show rolls in. A battle of the bands, featuring six area acts, kicks off at noon, and the Ride for Prostate Cancer will be hosting its BIKE IT! fundraiser in the afternoon.

» Details: 11 a.m. (with fireworks at 9:45 p.m.) Sunday, Asa Bales Park, 132 W. Main St., Westfield. Free; (317) 867-2880 or www.dwna.org.

12. Marsh Symphony on the Prairie: Star Spangled Symphony
Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets, or reserve tables for this popular annual concert. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will perform patriotic favorites. Per tradition, Tchaikovsky’s “1812″ Overture will have artillery accompaniment. A fireworks show concludes the evening.

» Details: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Gates open at 4:30 p.m.). $26 in advance or $29 at the gate for those older than 12, $10 in advance or $12 at the gate for ages 2 to 12; (317) 639-4300 or www.IndianapolisSymphony.org.

13. Brownsburg Fourth of July Extravaganza
For patriotic stamina, this six-day Lions Club event (which started Wednesday and runs through Sunday) takes the cake. Highlights include a Celebration of the American Revolution Parade (starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at Odell Street) and a fireworks show shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday. Other activities — carnival rides, music and food — are offered nightly.

» Details: 5:30 to 11 p.m. today and Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 5 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Arbuckle Acres Park, 200 N. Green St. Free; (317) 852-2386, ext. 2343.

14. Zionsville July 4 Celebration
With a bounce house and climbing walls for kids, and live music at 6 p.m. from The Marlins for the adults, Zionsville’s July 4th Celebration has everyone covered. Fireworks kick off at dusk, but the real sparkler is the newly crowned Miss Indiana, Gabrielle Reed, who will perform and sign autographs.

» Details: 4 p.m. Sunday (gates open) Lions Park, 115 S. Elm St., Zionsville. Free admission, but Lions Club parking is $5; (317) 733-2273 or www.zionsvillelions.com.

15. July 4th Fireworks Festival
Noblesville’s Fourth of July has a “hometown heritage” theme. The festival starts with an early-evening parade on 16th Street; other activities such as a classic car show, cornhole tournament and kids’ zone will keep people occupied until the fireworks start at 10 p.m. Live music from Jayne Bond and the Pink Martinis.

» Details: 5 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Noblesville High School, 18111 Cumberland Road, Noblesville. Free; (317) 776-6367 or www .cityofnoblesville.com.

Fourth of July is a celebration of democracy through parades, picnics, baseball games, concerts and fireworks shows. But also giving us a big sense of freedom is a three-day weekend.

For those who aren’t stuck wearing “Kiss the Cook” aprons and wielding tongs, there’s plenty to do and see around the metro area, from a patriotic roller-derby bout to an old-fashioned ice cream social. Here is a melting pot of 15 options:

1. Scars and Stripes Forever
Nothing says “Happy Birthday, America” like the red, white and bruised Circle City Socialites. The roller-derby team will battle the Bleeding Heartland Code Blue Assassins from Bloomington. Stay in your seat for the halftime show by Naptown Skate Nation, and be sure to hit up the after-party at Claude and Annie’s.

» Details: 5 p.m. (doors open) Saturday, The Forum at Fishers, 9022 E. 126th St., Fishers. $12; www.circlecitysocialites.com.

2. Canal Family Fest
Used to be, the only chance you’d get to put your feet up while enjoying this annual event was if you rented a paddle boat or gondola. Now, you can take a break on the patio at the new Left Bank Café, a small restaurant with a Parisian flair. Canal Family Fest features live music and activities hosted by the Indiana State and Eiteljorg museums, and the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.

» Details: 4:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Downtown Canal. Free. For special activities, visit www.indianamuseum.org, www.eitel jorg.org or www.indianahistory.org.

3. Conner Prairie’s Glorious Fourth
How did American pioneers celebrate their independence from King George and England? Head out to Conner Prairie to meet Lady Liberty, join the White River Militia, and partake in a patriotic feast and some down-home barn dancing.

» Details: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers. $8 to $13, with special discounts for military; (317) 776-6000 or www.connerprairie .com.

4. Indianapolis Speedrome
Fast cars and freedom. That’s how we want to spend our Fourth of July weekend . . . wait, didn’t Rascal Flatts just have a hit song about that? Cheer on stocks, late models, Roadrunners and Hornets, and enjoy fireworks just before Figure 8 racing caps off the evening.

» Details: 4 p.m. Saturday, (gates open), 9:20 p.m. (fireworks), Indianapolis Speedrome, 802 S. Kitley Ave. Racing is also scheduled Friday night. $10 to $20 (children 5 and younger free); (317) 353-8206 or www.speedrome.com.

5. Fountain Square Theatre Building Rooftop Garden
For an adults-only view of Downtown fireworks, this is possibly the best seat in the city. On top of that, you get a great meal from shelBi street caFe & Bistro and duckpin bowling. Ages 21 and older.

» Details: 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday, 1105 Prospect St. $70; (317) 686-6010, ext. 2, or www.fountainsquareindy.com.

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