The Fourth of July brings to mind barbecues, family togetherness and celebrating America’s independence. This summer take your family and friends out to one of Abilene’s many events on the Fourth of July. Your local convention and visitors bureau encourages all local Abilenians to “Check Out Your Own Backyard!”

Join the Boys and Girls Club of Abilene at the Big Country July 4th Family Festival at 3 p.m. in Nelson Park, E.S. 11th Street and Loop 322. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a day of fun, food and vendors.

Live entertainment from 7 to 9 p.m. Fireworks display at dusk sponsored by Musgrave Enterprises.

Free to the public. For more information, contact Mark Young at (325) 672-1712.

Take a short drive out to Buffalo Gap for Vintage Base Ball and an Old Fashion Fourth of July. The children’s parade begins at 9 a.m. on Mulberry Street and ends at the Historic Village.

The Declaration of Independence to be read on the church steps. Free admission into Buffalo Gap Historic Village, 133 N. William in Buffalo Gap. Stay to see the Buffalo Gap Chips, the Historic Village’s 1880s Vintage Base Ball team. Watch the Chips as they recreate the sights, sounds and smells of 1880s baseball at their 10:30 a.m. game. Admission is free.

For more information, call (325) 572-3365.

Listen to the sounds of the Abilene Community Band’s 4th of July Concert at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, S. 6th Street and Meander Street. Free to the public. For more information, contact Diane Schmahl at (325) 437-8009.

Racing fans, check out the action at the Dodge RAM-bunctious Friday Night! Test & Tune-Fun and Grudge at the Abilene Dragstrip on July 4. Gates open at 6 p.m., lanes are open from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Adult spectators $5; free to ages 6 and younger with paid adult. Pit Pass $10; Run Card $5. Call (325) 673-7223 or visit www.abilenedragstrip.com for more information.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the Abilene Zoo for the 4th of July Celebration. See the animals, stroll the Zoo and have dinner provided by Golden Chick.

Watch the fireworks display across the pond at 9:30 p.m.

The gates will reopen at 6 p.m. for celebration ticket holders. Open until 10 p.m. Purchase tickets at the Zoo Store or at Golden Chick. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children age 18 and younger.

Bring the family to the Taylor County Expo Center for the Original Team Roping World Finals, July 4-12. Great family fun and admission is free. The event will be held in the covered outdoor arena, Horse Barn and Display Building.

Visit www.otrc.net or call (325) 677-4376 for more information.

Continue to be patriotic! The Center for Contemporary Arts will host July ArtWalk: Military Salute from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 10. Enjoy a performance by the Abilene Community Band at 6:30 p.m. in Everman Park. Stop by the Center to hear the Hardin-Simmons University chamber string ensemble and to see the new exhibit, “El Amor es Peligroso,” by Mary K. and Anthony Huff.

Come to the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature for “Uncle Sam Wants You to be Healthy!” Activities include: a family scavenger hunt, story time throughout the evening with talking vegetables, art activities in the Art Studio and the Right Weigh GetFit Boot Camp in the parking lot. Free giveaways and a chance to win a Nintendo Wii system. At The Grace Museum, create a patriotic bracelet in Make It and Take It, a free hands-on art activity for kids of all ages. Available from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The Center coordinates monthly ArtWalk to celebrate visual and performing arts within the historical downtown district. Free to the public.

For more information on Abilene’s attractions or events, visit www.abilenevisitors.com.

Shanna Smith is the Heritage Tourism and Special Projects Coordinator at the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau.