Gwinnett Daily Post

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Looking for something to do for the Fourth? Gwinnett's cities are offering

many fun activities for the family around the Fourth of July weekend.

BUFORD : For the first time ever, the Mall of Georgia Fabulous Fourth

celebration event will span two days, starting 2 p.m. Friday and ending 9

p.m. Saturday.

The Friday celebration will begin with live performances at the Village

Amphitheatre that will span the rest of the day. In addition to

prize-an-hour giveaways, there will be a Kids' Zone area, chock full of

brightly colored, bouncy inflatables and carnival games. The Georgia Force,

the Duluth-based Arena Football League team, will take the stage at 3 p.m.

for a performance featuring the team's cheerleaders and mascot. With the

self-proclaimed "grandest and brightest fireworks in Gwinnett," the Mall of

Georgia will host a fireworks show at dusk, followed by the movie "Open

Season," an animated film starring Ashton Kutcher and Martin Lawrence.

But don't worry; the fun doesn't end with the movie. On Saturday, the

activities continue, starting at 10 a.m. The Dodge Ride and Drive Event will

go from noon until 4 p.m., and the first 150 people to test-drive a vehicle

will receive a $20 Simon Malls Gift Card. Stone Echo will perform at 6:30

p.m. in the Village Amphitheatre, and live performances will continue until

9 p.m. For more information, call 678-482-8788 or visit

www.mallofgeorgia.com.

BRASELTON: "Celebrate Braselton," the town's Independence Day celebration,

will include a parade, vendors and live music from open 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Friday at Braselton Park. At dusk, Chateau Elan will host a fireworks show.

The festivities are free. For more information, call 706-654-3915.

DULUTH: "Duluth Salutes America," featuring the United States Special

Operations Command Parachute Team, will start at 6 p.m. Thursday at Scott

Hudgens Park, 4545 Rivergreen Parkway. There will also be a live band, food

and fireworks. The event is free. For more information, call 770-476-3434.

LAKE LANIER ISLANDS: "Light Up the Lake Fireworks Independence Day

Celebration" will be held from 10 a.m. until dark Friday at the Lake Lanier

Islands Resort's Beach and WaterPark, 7000 Holiday Road. There will be live

entertainment, games, family fun, poolside activities and a fireworks show

at dusk. The cost is adults, $27.99; children 42" and under, $17.99; under

3, free. For more information, call 770-932-7200.

LAWRENCEVILLE: "Prelude to the 4th" will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at

the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan St. The Aurora Theatre will

present "Oklahoma!" There will also be a fireworks display accompanied by a

live rendition of "Stars and Stripes." The event is free. For more

information, call 678-226-2639.

"Gwinnett Glows," featuring arts and crafts, free children's activities and

a live band, will be held Friday at the Historic Courthouse Square in

Downtown Lawrenceville at 185 Crogan St. In addition to clowns, face

painting, a fire juggler and trackless train rides, "Gwinnett Glows" will

have a rock climbing wall, pony rides and live appearances from popular

children's characters. The event is free. For more information, call

678-226-2639.

NORCROSS: The "Norcross pre-Independence Day Celebration" will be held

from 5 until 11 p.m. on Thursday at the Norcross Historic District at the

intersection of South Peachtree Street and Jones Street. The event will

feature clowns, magicians, live music, food, games and rides. The cost is

free. For more information, contact 770-448-2122.

STONE MOUNTAIN: The "Fantastic Fourth Celebration" will be held at 9:30

p.m. from Thursday through Saturday at Stone Mountain Park. Beginning with

the Laser Show Spectacular, the event will conclude with a traditional

fireworks display. Friday, the Fourth, bursts of light will be shot from

both the base and the top of the mountain. The laser show and fireworks are

free; parking is $10. For more information, call 770-498-5690.

SUGAR HILL : "Sparks in the Park" will be held from 6:30 p.m. to midnight

Thursday at E.E. Robinson Park, 850 Level Creek Road. The celebrations will

include live music, rides, fireworks and a movie. Listen to a performance by

the Dave Matthews Tribute Band and watch "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver

Surfer." All festivities are free. For more information, call 770-831-7413