12 Awesome Things to Do This Weekend, July 3 - 6

Friday is Independence Day. If you're visiting this blog and expecting me to tell you to do anything other than watch fireworks on Friday night, you've lost your red, white, and blue marbles. Go stuff your face with apple pie and chug 10 patriotic Budweiser beers. In fact, the Dallas Observer is so root-tooting excited about this holiday, we've compiled the following all-American guides:

The Best Dallas Food and Drink to Bring to Fourth of July Parties This Weekend The Ultimate List of 4th of July Celebrations Five Rebellious Ways to Celebrate Independence Day But it's a long weekend, so here are some other awesome things to do as well:

Thursday, July 3

Kaboomtown Addison understands the best party is the first party. So the city's annual July 4th celebration happens on July 3. Head out to Addison Circle Park for Kaboomtown, the free fireworks extravaganza. Gates open at 3:00 p.m., the event kicks off at 5:00 p.m. and Kaboomtown will light up the night at approximately 9:30 p.m. This event is free, but you're gonna need a ticket so print one out at addisontexas.net.

2nd Annual Block Party on Henderson Ave. What's better than boozy popsicles, live music, a pool party, and $1 hot dogs? Well, freedom for one. But you live in America, so you already have that. For the other goodness, head to the corner of McMillan and Henderson Ave. beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday. Plus, there's no cover, so the event is free if you're of legal drinking age, which in this otherwise free country is still 21 years old.

Brek Shea Charity Art Show Even though many would consider soccer a form of art, it's not often enough that sports and fine art come together in meaningful ways. But Texas-born soccer star Brek Shea is also an artist and he's bringing his two loves under the same roof at 6 p.m. Thursday for an exhibit that will benefit Cancer Support Community North Texas. Taking place in Deep Ellum's beloved gallery Kettle Art (2650-B Main St), this charity art show will feature work by Shea and is $10 for entry, but the proceeds directly benefit his chosen charity. What could be more sportsmanlike than that? More info at leftfootstudio.com.

Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration- 35mm Print The outlaw country singers take over the big screen at the Texas Theatre at 8 p.m. Thursday. If you're hungry for more than just a movie, Bolsa Mercado has you covered. Buy a $25 combo ticket and get a sausage roll with macaroni and cheese and a freshly baked dessert. Your Thursday night just got delicious. More info at thetexastheatre.com.

Friday, July 4

Old Fashioned Fourth The donkeys at Dallas Heritage Village are named Nip and Tuck, and they wait all year for July 4th to don their festive red,white, and blue hats and pull kiddos through the rustic scenery on a wagon. The Old Fashioned Fourth takes place at 11 a.m. Friday and is a family-friendly festival with wagon rides, stick pony races, macaroni necklace-making, and lemonade. There'll also be music, a parade, and 1800s-era carnival games. Tickets are $10 for adults, and free for kids ages 12 and under. Visit dallasheritagevillage.org for more.

Fair Park Fourth There's something aggressively patriotic about fireworks over Fair Park. Maybe it's the stunning art deco architecture or the childhood memories of the State Fair, but seeing sparklers crackle in the night sky while Lee Greenwood plays over the loud speakers brings an American tear to my eye every red, white, and blue time. Grab your kids, dress them in American flag shirts, pack an apple pie and head to Fair Park Fourth (3809 Grand Ave). The festivities start at 12 p.m. Friday with music all afternoon, access to rides, games, and concessions culminating in fireworks. Entry is free, but parking is $5. More information available at fairpark.org. Independence Day If you won't be watching fireworks because you must be inside - maybe you're allergic to grass - then, the only other acceptable way to celebrate this 4th of July is by watching Independence Day. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, the Texas Theatre (231 W. Jefferson Blvd.) screens this classic summer blockbuster on the big screen. Tickets are $10 at thetexastheatre.com.

Lone Stars and Stripes at Lone Star Park The celebrations are in full swing at Lone Star Park, where there will be live music, fireworks, activities and thoroughbred racing. And did we mention fireworks?

All of the Fireworks: a Creating our Future 4th of July Potluck Hang out with our local creative class at Ash Studios (3203 Ash Ln.) on Friday evening, where you can scope out the fireworks in Fair Park, participate in a grill master battle, read along with the declaration of Independence, and listen to some original literary readings. Apparently there will be a ritualistic bra burning as well.

Saturday, July 5

Pop That! at Salt We're not ones to call attention to other blogs and the parties they're behind, but this weekend is slow on cool events and this summer pool party with Top Notch (Sober & Dayta) sounds pretty damn fun. Plus, we've been jonesing to try the new pool club, Salt, in the old Ku De Ta space. We only feel slightly uncomfortable about sending you to CentralTrack.com for your $7 advance tickets. Party lasts from 2 - 8 p.m.

Target First Saturday at the Nasher Sculpture Center On most days, the Nasher Sculpture Center's admission is $10. While that's still relatively cheap compared to many cultural institutions around the country, there's nothing that beats free. Lucky for us, Target agrees and sponsors a monthly day of admission. Enjoy the Mark Grotjahn exhibition and the Bettina Pousttchi Drive Thru-Museum. More info at nashersculpturecenter.org.

Sunday, July 6

Basically Beethoven Festival The end of a long weekend sneaks up on you and if you're looking to squeeze in a little bit of culture head to the first in a series of free concerts featuring the world's favorite composer. The Basically Beethoven Festival takes over City Performance Hall at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, but show up early because these seats fill up fast.

• Arts & Culture News