VALLEY — Whether they call it Independence Day, America’s birthday or the Fourth of July, most people in the United States will be out celebrating in some way, shape or form come this Wednesday.

Many will be enjoying the day on their own with fireworks displays of their own design. For those who want to be around more people and experience a bigger show, however, the Greater Valley Area has plenty to offer the entire family.

The highlight in Chambers County, like it has been in the past, will be the City of Valley’s fireworks show. The fireworks will be set up and set off from the industrial park behind the Sportsplex by Chambley’s Display Fireworks.

Laurie Blount of Valley Parks and Recreation said that there will be plenty of parking and places to set up chairs to watch what will apparently be the best display Valley has seen to date thanks to the launch area allowing for “the biggest shell yet.”

“If they have a specific place they want to park it’s smart to get here a little earlier,” she said.

Those coming for the show can park at the Sportsplex or Community cCenter parking lots or even down Fob James Drive. The show will start just after dark, which will be around 9:30 p.m.

For families who want to have fun before the show, MainStreet Family Urgent Care is presenting their first ever Hometown Fourth of July Festival. From 5-8 p.m. ET, community members can come out to 491 Fob James Drive — the field by the recently closed Steak ‘n Shake — for free games, contests, inflatables, music and cool treats to beat the heat.

Music by DJ Gator Kincaid will keep the festivities going as kids get their faces painted and enjoy the inflatables while parents can escape the July weather in Jackson Heating & Air’s tent. MainStreet Community Educator Amanda James urges kids to bring a swimsuit, a towel and an eagerness to have holiday fun before the fireworks start.

“It’s an entire citywide event that’s free to the public where they can all come out and celebrate,” she said. “Before the fireworks people were just kind of hanging out and waiting. Now they have an event were they can come and have fun and watch the show. It’s going to be awesome.”

Troup County

In Troup County there will be plenty to do as well. A Fourth of July fireworks show will be held at Pyne Road Park overlooking West Point Lake, with gates opening at 10 a.m. to give people plenty of time to grab a spot, buy some food from a variety of vendors and let the kids play at the Kid’s Play Zone which opens at 4 p.m. There will be a $10 charge per vehicle and the show will begin at dark.

The LaGrange kids-only parade, allowing kids 19-and-younger, will take place at the Sweetland Amphitheatre in Boyd
Park. The 34th annual parade will be themed “Home of the Brave” and feature grand marshals from local law enforcement.