While Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year, many celebrations across Collin County communities kick off early, offering fireworks, live music, family activities and patriotic traditions.

In Princeton, patriotic music, carnival rides, water fun and a dazzling drone-and-fireworks finale will highlight Princeton’s Freedom & Fireworks celebration as the city joins communities across the nation in marking America’s 250th anniversary.

The free event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at J.M. Caldwell Sr. Community Park, 500 W. College Ave.

Providing the soundtrack for the evening will be Dallas party band Elevation, a seven-piece group from the Emerald City Band family known for high-energy performances and crowd favorites.

In Wylie, Founders Park, 851 Hensley Lane, will host the city’s annual fireworks celebration beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 3. Attendees can enjoy live music by Midnight Traveler, food trucks, eight bounce houses and a Wylie Fire Rescue water spray zone. The 17-minute fireworks display, launched from the Birmingham Agricultural Center adjacent to Founders Park, is scheduled to begin at 9:45 p.m. and will feature fireworks reaching heights of 250 to 500 feet.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Parking will be available at Founders Park, Wylie High School, Cooper Junior High and Draper Intermediate. The event is hosted by the city of Wylie, Wylie Parks and Recreation and Wylie Fire Rescue.

Earlier in the day, the Brown House, 301 N. Ballard Ave., will host “The Party Starts at the Brown House,” an America 250 community celebration from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activities include yard games, refreshments, a costume contest and trivia honoring the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

In Sachse, the city’s annual Red, White and Blue Blast returns Friday, July 3.

The Red, White and Blue Blast will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at Heritage Park, 4408 Hudson Drive. The celebration features live musical performances by Kendall Shaw and Party Machine, along with stage games, a petting zoo, a Ninja Nation obstacle course, booth and food vendors, yard games, spirit awards and a splashdown hosted by Sachse F-R. The evening concludes with a fireworks display scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

Rockwall’s annual Fourth of July Celebration also returns July 4, beginning with a downtown parade at 11 a.m. Activities continue at Harry Myers Park from 5 to 9 p.m. with food vendors, live entertainment and a fireworks show to cap off the evening.

For a patriotic event with a different twist, In-Sync Exotics in Wylie will host its annual Watermelon Toss on Sunday, July 5. The event gives visitors a chance to watch rescued big cats enjoy watermelon treats while supporting the nonprofit sanctuary’s ongoing rescue and care efforts.

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