Area communities to celebrate July 4

New Prague and other area communities will observe the July 4th holiday in many ways, celebrations including fireworks, parades, music and boat parades.

New Prague The evening of Wednesday, July 3, will be the New Prague Fireworks Show. Events will be held east of the New Prague Middle School, beginning at 6 p.m. There will be Kona Ice, Dawgs on the Run, face painting and free massages. The national anthem will be sung by Linda Fahrenkamp with the fireworks beginning 10:10 p.m.

North Morristown North Morristown has what is described locally as the oldest Fourth of July celebration in Minnesota. The celebration begins Thursday morning, July 4, and includes parades, music, games and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Elysian Elysian holds events over severals days for its annual July 4th celebration. It begins Tuesday, July 2, with two pageants and continues on to Sunday, July 7. In between, there will be days of music, a fishing contest, a vehicle show and parades. Fireworks will be Friday, July 5, 10 p.m., and will be shot off from Lake Tustin Park.

Northfield The Northfield Independence Day Fireworks are July 4, 10 p.m., with the display at Northfield Middle School. Viewing areas near the fireworks display include Northfield Middle School parking lot and south fields, Tyler Park, and the fields north of Jefferson Parkway.

Prior Lake Prior Lake’s annual Boat Parade is July 4. It begins with contestants convening on the Upper Lake near the docks at Charlie’s on Prior and judging at 1 p.m. There are prizes for the decorating of boats.

Shakopee Shakopee will hold its family event, Happy Birthday America, Wednesday, July 3, 10 a.m., at Lions Park. Children can bring their decorated trikes, bikes, wagons and other little vehicles for a brief parade, staging is at 10 a.m. and the parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Canterbury Park will have several activities July 3 starting at 4 p.m. with fireworks at 10:10 p.m. Mystic Lake Casino will have Rock and Rockets, a free outdoor concert July 4, from 5-10:30 p.m., ending with fireworks. Valleyfair - has been canceled.