Best places to celebrate Independence Day in Greater Cleveland

From fireworks to food, from art fairs to farms, Greater Cleveland offers a plethora of fun things to do on and around July Fourth. Here are just a few of the best:

Star-Spangled Spectacular
July 1, starts at 5 p.m.
Public Square in downtown Cleveland
www.ClevelandOrchestra.com/event-detail/2010-July-01.aspx?pid=8131

Cleveland's Fourth of July celebration begins on Thursday, July 1, on downtown's Public Square with the "Star-Spangled Spectacular." The fun starts at 5 p.m. with local youth choirs and other performances. The Cleveland Orchestra takes the stage at 9 p.m. under the direction of Tito Munoz, who leads the ensemble through a variety of popular and classical favorites, culminating in their rendition of Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," complete with fireworks. The light show continues after the concert. Admission is free, but arrive early; choice seats go quickly.

Boston Mills ArtFest
July 2-4, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Boston Mills Ski Area
7100 Riverview Road in Peninsula
800-875-4241
www.BMBW.com/events-and-activities/boston-mills-artfest

July 2 through the Fourth marks the second weekend of the annual Boston Mills ArtFest, held at the Boston Mills Ski Area in Peninsula. The show features 160 artists displaying paintings, textile art, sculpture, ceramics and more. Plus, all of the works are available to purchase. The show also features live entertainment and food and beverages for sale (including full bar service). Admission is $8 for adults, and $6 for those 60 and older and students between 13 and 21. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Parking is also free.

Blossom Festival
July 2-4, Friday at 8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m.
Blossom Music Center
1145 W. Steels Corners Road in Cuyahoga Falls
216-231-7300
www.ClevelandOrchestra.com

The Cleveland Orchestra continues their holiday celebration with a weekend of concerts, July 2 through the Fourth, at the Blossom Music Center. Friday night's "American Spectacular" program includes selections by Copeland, Bernstein, Ward and more. On Saturday and Sunday, maestro Loras John Schissel leads the Blossom Festival Band's rousing "Salute to the U.S.A." All evenings end with fireworks and the "1812 Overture."

Mesopotamia Ox Roast
July 3-5, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mesopotamia Town Commons
State roads 534 and 87 in Mesopotamia
440-693-4086
www.MespoFire.com/2010oxroast.html

Part flea market, part food fest and all fun: The annual ox roast in Mesopotamia (located about an hour's drive southeast of Cleveland) is a July Fourth weekend tradition. The three-day event features a flea market/antique show in the town commons with everything from homemade pies to antique furniture to leather saddles. There's also live entertainment and the fire department's famous roast beef sandwiches. Admission is free and free parking is available at the town fire station.

Lake Farmpark Family Free Days
July 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lake Metroparks Farmpark
8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland
440-256-2122
www.LakeMetroparks.com/select-park/farmpark.shtml#Park

Lake County families can enjoy an afternoon at the farm for free on July Fourth at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland. The park features 50 different kinds of livestock as well as demonstrations of farm skills like milking, cheese-making and sheep herding. It's a fun way for city dwellers to get an authentic taste of farm life.

Cleveland Indians Baseball
July 4, 1:05 p.m. with pregame activities
Progressive Field
2401 Ontario St. in Cleveland
216-420-HITS
Cleveland.Indians.MLB.com/cle/ticketing/fun_days.jsp

What's more American than baseball? Celebrate Independence Day at Progressive Field as the Cleveland Indians take on the Oakland Athletics. Game time is 1:05 p.m., and special Fourth of July activities include an appearance by Jungle Terry and his animal show, a barbecue tent and a post-game opportunity for kids to run the bases.

RTA Family Fest
July 4, 7 p.m.-dusk
Settlers Landing in Cleveland
Off the RTA Waterfront Line
www.Cleveland.com/call-and-post/index.ssf/2010/06/euclid_beach_comes_alive_at_rt.html

Cleveland hosts the grandest of all area fireworks displays on July Fourth at Settlers Landing in the Flats, just west of Public Square. This year, the festivities start at 7 p.m. and include live music, rides on the former Euclid Beach rocket car and lots of refreshments for sale. Settlers Landing is also the perfect spot to view the city's fireworks display, which begins at 10 p.m. at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River over Lake Erie.