Here’s what’s happening on the Fourth of July, from North Pole to Juneau

This year's Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday, which means the long weekend could end up being a little bit longer for those with a generous boss. Take advantage of the extra day off and check out some festivities across the state. Here's a list of events celebrating the 241st year of American independence.

Anchorage
On Tuesday, start with a pancake breakfast ($5) at 8 a.m. on the Delaney Park Strip before following the parade on Ninth Avenue along the park strip at 11 a.m. Spend the rest of the day enjoying live music, games, local vendors and food at the festival from noon to 6 p.m. There will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Veterans Memorial Flag Pole at 1 p.m. The annual Alaska Baseball League doubleheader will pit the Anchorage Glacier Pilots against the Anchorage Bucs at Mulcahy Stadium (498 E. 16th Ave.) at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. End the day watching fireworks light up the sky after the last baseball game. (anchoragefairsandfestivals.org)

Eagle River
Head down to Eagle River Lions Park (Eagle River Road and East Eagle River Loop Road) Monday night from 6 p.m.-midnight for an evening of festivities, vendors and entertainment. Be sure to stick around and enjoy the fireworks display at midnight. (cer.org)

[July 4 fireworks: Where you legally can and can't have a personal pyrotechnic show]

Wasilla
Tuesday's annual community parade starts at 11 a.m. in downtown Wasilla. After the parade, head to Iditapark lawn (594 W. Nelson Ave.) for the mayor's picnic from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There will be live music, a hot dog eating contest, and other games and activities. Free hot dogs and refreshments will be available. After the picnic head to the Menard Sports Center (1001 S Clapp St.) from 3 p.m.-9 p.m. for carnival rides at the Wasilla Centennial Summerfest. At 11 p.m., fireworks will light up at the sky near Wonderland Park (594 W. Nelson Ave.). (cityofwasilla.com)

Glacier View
Seward isn't the only place in the state with a wild Fourth of July celebration. An hour-and-a-half drive east of Wasilla, the community of Glacier View will host their annual Fourth of July celebration at Glacier View River Retreat (35068 W. Glenn Highway). This year's events kick off Tuesday with the brand-new 5K run and kids fun run at 9:45 a.m. At "high noon" there will be a flyover, followed by the community parade. Lunch will be served between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., followed by the annual car launch. There is an nonresident entry fee of $10 for kids and $15 for adults. (Visit the event page on Facebook)

Glennallen
Celebrations kick off Tuesday in Glennallen with a free breakfast provided by the VFW at the American Legion Hall (Mile 186, Aurora Drive & Glenn Highway) from 7 a.m.-10 a.m. and a fun run at 8 a.m. At 10:30 a.m. the Alaska State Troopers will close down a portion of the Glenn Highway as floats and community members march down the road throwing candy. The parade begins at Glennallen School (1976 Aurora Dr.) before heading down to Pinneo Park behind the Copper Valley Community Library (Mile 186, Ballpark Road & Glenn Highway) for the Lions Club salmon bake and community games from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (Call Cooper Valley Chamber of Commerce, 907-822-5555)

Girdwood
Celebrate July Fourth on Tuesday with a free show at Jack Sprat (165 Olympic Mountain Loop) featuring Melissa Mitchell, Spiff and Tony from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. and a show featuring Kory Quinn and Michael Howard at Chair 5 Restaurant (5 Lindblad Ave.) from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Note: Girdwood Forest Fair, while associated with Fourth of July weekend in many Alaskans' minds, will take place the following weekend, July 7-9. (girdwood.com)

Seward
There's nothing quite like Fourth of July in Seward. Thousands of Alaskans make their way down the Seward Highway for a weekend getaway to see one of the most epic footraces of the year, Mount Marathon. Those who get into town Friday can enjoy food and craft booths on Adams and Washington streets from 6-8 p.m. The booths will be up and running from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday. Monday it's a party until midnight, when Lantis Fireworks light up the sky with a fireworks display at the waterfront. In the morning Tuesday, treat yourself to breakfast at the annual Methodist Pie Sale on Fourth Avenue at 9 a.m. Mount Marathon kicks off with the junior race in downtown Seward at 9 a.m., followed by the women's race at 11 a.m. and the men's race at 2 p.m. There will also be plenty of food options in the area starting at 11 a.m. (seward.com)

Kenai
Fourth of July in Kenai begins Tuesday with the annual parade on Bidarka Street at 11 a.m. After the parade head to Main Street Loop in downtown Kenai from noon-4 p.m. and visit the many local food and craft vendors at the community festival. And make sure you don't miss the cosplay costume contest. (kenaichamber.org)

Homer
The annual Fourth of July parade begins Tuesday on Pioneer Avenue at 6 p.m. This year's theme is "Homer in Bloom." Cash prizes of $50 and $75 will be awarded for: best adult group, best children's group, best of bikes and trikes, best with animals, best of antique cars, trucks, machinery, best use of theme, best of show and judges' sentimental favorite. (homeralaska.org)

Ester
In Ester, head to the intersection of Ester Loop and Main Street for the town's Fourth of July parade at 11 a.m., followed by a picnic at Ester Community Park (3566 Old Nenana Highway). (Visit the event page on Facebook)

Fairbanks
Fourth of July in Fairbanks is all about family fun at Pioneer Park (2300 Airport Way). The-all day celebration starts with live music at 11 a.m., with booths and vendors kicking off the community event from noon-8 p.m. (explorefairbanks.com)

North Pole
On Tuesday morning head north for the North Pole Fourth of July celebration. Start with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. at Santa's Senior Center (101 E. Sixth Ave.). The parade starts at 11 a.m. and there will be a community fair with food, vendors, games, music and prizes from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (explorefairbanks.com) 

Tok
If you plan on road tripping your way north this Tuesday, make sure you arrive early. The Tok Fourth of July parade shuts down the Alaska Highway and begins at 11 a.m. After the parade ends around noon, hang out in Tok for food, fun and games, including the newly added outhouse races. To get to the parade and community event, take the Tok Cutoff (Mile 1314, Alaska Highway) straight into town. (Call Tok Chamber of Commerce, 907-883-5775)

Juneau
Juneau's Fourth of July starts early with the fourth annual Glenn Frick Memorial Mile community walk/run. The parade kickoff is at 11 a.m. in downtown Juneau. End the night with a dinner at the Juneau Masonic Center (9315 Glacier Highway) for their Fourth of July Post-Parade Party from 6-9 p.m. (juneau4thofjuly.net)

Douglas
Come out for the annual community picnic and watermelon eating contest at Sandy Beach (504 St. Anns Ave.) on Monday at 6 p.m. before watching the fireworks display on Gastineau Channel at 11:59 p.m. On Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. the Douglas Fourth of July parade begins at Gastineau Elementary School (1507 Third St.). followed by field games at Savikko Park Field #2 (504 St. Anns Ave.) at 3 p.m. (douglas4thofjuly.com)

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly listed Melissa Mitchell's name as Michelle Mitchell.