Four great events for the Fourth

As we head into a star-spangled weekend, these annual events are guaranteed to put some red, white and blue into your July Fourth outings. Check our weekly calendar, on Page D5, for more things to do. And don't miss The Times-Dispatch and TimesDispatch.com tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday for your neighbors' thoughts about what freedom means and coverage of Fourth festivities.

ASHLAND FOURTH OF JULY PARADE The nonmotorized procession starts at 11 a.m. at Henry Clay Elementary School on Hanover Avenue and marches to Hanover Arts & Activities Center, 500 S. Center St. There you can indulge in small-town holiday fun with contests, music, crafts and games. Free. (804) 798-2728.

OLD-FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION Meadow Farm Museum includes a restored 19th-century house on a 150-acre working farm. Crump Park has walking trails, a playground and a pond. Head there, 3400 Mountain Road in Glen Allen, for music, patriotic arts and crafts, contests, entertainment and more. 1-5 p.m. Free. (804) 501-5121.

DOGWOOD DELL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION First the music, then the fireworks. Concerts feature Back'N Da Day in doo-wop harmonies (5 p.m.), Carillon bells (6:30 p.m.) and Richmond Concert Band in patriotic and popular favorites (7 p.m.) in Dogwood Dell, Byrd Park. Free. (804) 646-3355.

COMCAST CHESTERFIELD FOURTH OF JULY EXTRAVAGANZA Gates open at 5 p.m. for children's activities, entertainment, music by Kings of Swing, food for sale and fireworks at dark at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road. Free. (804) 796-7045.