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• Free weekends in Wisconsin and Minnesota
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• Try a new bike trail
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Fourth of July weekend

There's a celebration everywhere.

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You won't have to look far for fireworks and festivities over the Fourth of July weekend, because every town worth its salt has them.

But some of the best are the smallest. For an old-fashioned celebration, go to Madeline Island in Wisconsin for A Day on the Green. At 10:30 a.m., there's a home-grown parade that ends with historical figures giving patriotic speeches at the museum. An art fair, barbecue and fireworks follow. July 4.

Near Milwaukee, an Old World Fourth of July at Old World Wisconsin includes a band concert, old-fashioned games and visits with re-enactors who portray the role of African-American soldiers in the Civil War. July 4.

In the western Minneapolis village of Excelor, the Minnesota Orchestra plays at the Lake Minnetonka Fourth of July at Excelsior Commons, followed by fireworks. There's also a kids' parade and Popsicle social and a sandcastle-building contest.

Duluth claims to have the Minnesota's largest fireworks show, part of Fourth Fest in Bayfront Festival park, which includes concerts, games, crafts and a fly-by from the 148th Fighter Wing from Duluth. Watch from Skyline Parkway. July 4.

The Fourth also is a big weekend for powwows: at Red Cliff near Bayfield, the Red Lake Nation in northwest Minnesota, the Oneida Nation near Green Bay and in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Grand entries generally are at 1 and 7 p.m. For more, see Powwow primer.

Eyes to the Skies Festival in Lisle, Ill. This large festival on the west edge of Chicago features a carnival, craft fair and daily hot-air balloon launches and fireworks shows. July 2-4.

National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Mich. This town on Lake Michigan calls itself the Cherry Capital of the World and attracts half a million people to events that include many pie-eating and pit-spitting contests and the Cherry Royale Parade at 11:15 a.m. July 11. July 4-11. Last updated on June 16, 2009