Jul. 4--4 Rose Hill (Aiken)

There will be a celebration to support the Aiken County Veterans Council's Fisher House fund. Admission is by donation. Guest speaker will be retired U.S. Army Col. Ted Spain, former commander of the 10th U.S. Military Police Brigade in wartime Baghdad, Iraq.

Entertainment features Rhonda McDaniel, the 2008 Carolina Beach Music Association's best female vocalist and winner of the 2008 CBMA Award for Best Solo Album for her first self-titled CD; Aiken native Mike Stewart who will be joined on stage by guitarist "Shameless" Dave Bryan and harmonica player Dave Morgan; and Gene Avey, 2008 International Country Music Association modern country male vocalist of the year.

Gates open at 2:30 p.m. with music starting at 2:45 p.m. A Independence Day buffet starts at 6 p.m., in addition to a cash bar and grill. Call 648-1181 for more information.

4 Woodside Reserve (Aiken)

A private fireworks display starts a little after 9 p.m. inside Woodside Reserve; however, it will be visible from the Village located off Silver Bluff Road across from Richardsons Lake Road.

Fireworks and Barbecue (Aiken)

A July 4th celebration will be held at the VFW Post 5877. A dinner of a barbecue sandwich, hash and rice, cole slaw and baked beans will be served at 6 p.m. for $5 per plate. Lil Jimmy and the Boys will perform from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Fireworks start around dark, and the display is open to the public.

The VFW Post 5877 is located at 116 Midway Circle, Aiken. For more information, call 648-0119.

Riverblast (Augusta)

Arts, crafts, music and dancing culminate in a spectacular fireworks display. Festivities start at noon and last until after dark. Fireworks will be shot off from the North Augusta side of the Fifth Street Bridge and will last approximately a half hour. The display will be choreographed to music. Admission is free. Call (706) 826-0026 for more information.

Fourth of July Funtastic Family Fest (Barnwell)

Starting at 6 p.m., the Veterans Park in Barnwell will come alive with an evening of fun games, concert and fireworks. Bring your own picnic. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call (803) 541-6555.

Lake Murray's Boat Parade and Fireworks (Columbia)

The celebration features a boat parade, fireworks and live music. Boat owners deck their boats out in patriotic decorations with hopes of bringing home a prize. At 12:30 p.m., the Annual Boat Parade leaves Bomb Island as it parades toward the Lake Murray Dam and passes each park site.

At 8 p.m. at Dreher Island State Park, a concert by the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra will be held at Shelter 14. Around 9:15 p.m., fireworks will launch from Spence and Dreher islands. Tune into B106.7 FM, 98.5 FM to listen to the patriotic music show choreographed to the fireworks. Admission to the concert is $2.

Call (803) 781-5940 for details or visit www.lakemurraycountry.com.

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