July Fourth is quickly approaching and a full schedule of events are being planned for downtown Mount Airy and across the county to commemorate Independence Day.

There will be family-friendly events all day downtown including pony rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, a slide and face painting. Balloons will be provided by Mr. Poketto the clown.

At 10:30 a.m. on the Fourth, the Declaration of Independence will be read in the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History’s courtyard by Brack Llewellyn and the NoneSuch Playmakers.

At 11 a.m., the annual Fourth of July Parade will begin at Veterans Park and travel up Main Street. The grand marshal will be the “Happiest Girl in the Whole USA,” Mount Airy native, Donna Fargo.

Parade applications for Mount Airy’s parade will be accepted through June 30. They can be obtained by calling DBA Coordinator Robin Dollyhigh at 786-4511, or applications are available online at www.mountairydowntown.org. All applicants are encouraged to have a patriotic theme.

From 1 to 4 p.m., Fargo will host a book signing at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History to meet her fans. Following the parade, the museum will host a Toast and Jam featuring wine by Round Peak Vineyards and live music provided by the Carolina Knights.

Veterans Park festivities begin at 5 p.m. with live music by Rhythm from 6 to 9 p.m. and fireworks following.

The 208th Army Reserve Band also will present a free patriotic concert at the Blackmon Amphitheatre July 5 at 7:30 p.m. The Army Reserve Band is scheduled to take part in the parade as well.

Other festivities scheduled for the week include a free concert by the 440th Army Band at 7 p.m. July 1 at the Blackmon Amphitheatre.

Fargo will be at the Main Oak Emporium from 2 to 4 p.m. on July 5.

These events are being made possible by the Downtown Business Association, the Gilmer-Smith Foundation, the Mount Airy Visitors Center, the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, the Surry Arts Council, the Mount Airy Rotary Club, WSYD, Mayor Cochran, the Downtown Merchants, Inc. board of directors and local veterans groups.

“We would like to encourage all to attend these events and to participate in the parade if possible,” said Jenny Lowry Caudle, owner of Olde Mill Music.

The July Fourth downtown Siloam celebration will begin with a parade at 9:30 a.m. Line-up starts at 9 a.m. at Hardy’s Trucking on Siloam Road. There will be floats, bike and antique cars, tractor contest, entertainment and children’s games. Food includes hot dogs, drinks and desserts. There will be a drawing for a homemade quilt made by the Siloam ECA members, as well as a 50/50 cash drawing. The day’s events are sponsored by the Copeland Ruritans.

The Surry County Tea Party will hold an Independence Day march and rally in Pilot Mountain beginning at 10 a.m. on July 4, with parade line-up at 9:30 a.m. near East Surry High School. Speakers, music and a Benjamin Franklin impersonator will be on hand.

The annual Fourth of July Family Fun Day will be hosted by the Ararat Volunteer Fire Department on July 4 this year. The day will begin with a parade followed by music, food, games and more at the fire station on Ararat Road near the Ararat River. The parade route this year will begin with line-up at the intersection of Ararat Road and Old U.S. 52 South. Line-up begins at 8 a.m. and the parade will begin at 9 a.m. The route ends at the fire station. Parade participants can be anything that walks, rolls and can be pushed.

Traditionally, trophies are presented for the ugliest truck, most patriotic float and golf cart, best float and most patriotic yard along the route.

In addition, community non-profit organizations, such as churches, the fire department, the Masons and the Ruritan club sell food items including hot dogs, ice cream, drinks and barbecue sandwiches as fundraisers for community projects and needs.

After a partial rain-out in 2011, the Shoals Ruritan is planning its Fourth of July celebration for this year, consisting of a veterans parade, honor ceremony and hot dogs and drinks. The day will end with a fireworks show. The celebration will begin with a parade lineup, a float for veterans, and vehicles from the Shoals community. Lineup will be at 5 p.m. at the Fairview Methodist Church on Quaker Church Road.

The parade will begin at 6 p.m., proceeding east on Quaker Church Road, turning right and heading south on Shoals Road to the Shoals Recreation Center adjacent to the Shoals Volunteer Fire Department. At 7 p.m., a ceremony honoring the veterans in attendance will be conducted, and all veterans will be recognized. At 8 p.m., hot dogs and drinks will be served. The fireworks show will commence at dusk, around 9 p.m.

One hot dog and a soft drink will be $1. The sales will allow the club to provide assistance to needy members in the Shoals community throughout the coming year.

Bluegrass music will be provided after the veterans ceremony and before the fireworks show by The Snow Creek Old Time Band. The Pilot Mountain Veterans of Foreign Wars will lead the parade and present the colors at the Recreation Center ballfield. In the event of inclement weather, a rain date has been set for July 7, with the same schedule as on July 4.