A+E

Fourth of July is as American as, well, America. Barbecues, live music, gathering with friends and family, sitting in the grass under the stars watching the sky light up — the loud boom, crack and sizzle of fireworks. So which celebration are you going to?

There's the Fourth of July Jubilee from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Arcata Plaza (free). Maybe catch a Crabs game at 2:30 at the Arcata Ballpark, too ($9, $6 students, $4 kids). In Eureka, check out the Fourth of July Festival starting at 10 a.m. in Old Town. The fireworks display starts over the bay at 10 p.m. (free). You can also watch fireworks out on the bay on the Madaket's Under the Fireworks Cruise at 9:30 p.m. ($45, reservations required). Or you can grab a seat at Redwood Acres for the Fireworks Spectacular at the Races, featuring a points race at 5 p.m. followed by fireworks ($12, $10, $2 for kids 6 - 12, free to kids 5 and under).

Heading south? Ferndale keeps it small, sweet and hometown with a parade, barbecue, kids games and more at the Ferndale Fourth of July Fun-Tastic at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Main Street. Over at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds, enjoy food and drink booths, live music and fireworks at dark. Gates open at 7 p.m. (free admisission). Fortuna does it a day early — why? Because it's the friendly city and they know you might need two days to celebrate. The Fortuna Fireworks Festival is on Friday, July 3 at 5:30 p.m. at Newburg Park ($10 barbecue, $5 kids' barbecue, $5 kids activities wrist band). Southern Humboldt blows it up with Fireworks in Benbow enjoy at 9:30 p.m. at the Benbow Lake State Recreation Area (free show, $8 to park).

Get out there this weekend and wish America happy birthday. Safely. And take care to secure your pets — the Humane Society says lost pet numbers spike around the holiday.