The Fourth of July comes with much to do as people enjoy Freedom Fest activities over the weekend. Watch the fireworks, eat good food and enjoy tons of events over the holiday. The fun starts on Thursday and goes through Saturday.

1. Family Day in the Park

2 p.m. until the fireworks end on Thursday and 1 p.m. until the fireworks end on Friday at Bandshell Community Park

Family day in the park features free slides and rides; 13 food concessions; wandering jugglers, magicians, clowns and performers; the Jaycee’s beer garden; artisans, and more. The arts and crafts show will host more than 30 vendors. Plus, there’s plenty of entertainment both days. Free parking will be available both days.

2. Miss Sparkler/ Mr. Firecracker Pageant

3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday at Bandshell Community Park

The pageant is open to girls and boys ages 5-8. Registration forms are available at the Chamber, YMCA, Overby Orthodontics or online at www.austincoc.com/festival.htm.

3. Fireworks

Dusk on Thursday and Friday at Bandshell Community Park

The Fourth of July Fireworks will be returning for two nights again this year. Bring a blanket or lawn chair down to the park and watch as fireworks fill the sky in celebration of Independence Day.

4. 32nd annual Mini Piggy Fun Run

10:45 a.m. on Friday on the parade route, starting in the parking lot between Austin Utilities and Riverside Arena on Fourth Street Northeast

Entry fee is $8 the day of race. Pre-registration is available at www.ymca-austin.org or the YMCA Front Desk, and race-day registration opens at 9:30 a.m. at the race start. Mini-Piggy Fun Run follows the parade route, ending at Main Street bridge. The event is not timed and is for children 12 and under. Participation ribbons will be given out following the run near the finish. For more information, call the at YMCA 507-433-1804.

5. Independence Day Parade

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday

The parade returns, but with an altered route this year. The parade will line up in the parking lot of Austin City Hall and Austin Utilities, 500 and 400 Fourth St. NE, and will move down Fourth Avenue Northeast before turning south onto Main Street North — its normal route — before running to Bandshell Community Park.

6. Hog Jog

8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday at East Side Lake Park

The five-mile Hog Jog kicks off bright and early with pre-registration from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. at the race site — the East Side Lake parking lots. Pre-registration is available at the YMCA or at www.ymca-austin.org. Race-day registration is from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. at the race site.

7. Fishing Frenzy

9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at East Side Lake

There is a $2 entry fee with prizes for all. Prizes include $50 for first place for ages 15 and under. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

8. Ulwelling Bike Race

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

The Dan Ulwelling 25-mile bike race starts at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center at noon, with an 11 a.m. registration. Online registration can be done at www.austincoc.com. The race begins at noon, heads north toward Lansing, then toward Waltham before snaking back to the nature center. Registration fee is $15.

9. 27 holes for the Fourth

10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Todd Park

Disc golf is returning the Fourth of July weekend. The Spamtown tournament will be Saturday for singles and Sunday for doubles. On Saturday, the Spamtown Open, a PDGA-sanctioned tournament will feature two rounds for a total of 54 holes. People must register by 9 a.m. Saturday. On Sunday, the Spamtown Doubles will feature two rounds of 18 holes. Partners are determined by the tournament director based on skill.

10. Blooming Prairie Old Fashioned Fourth

All day Thursday and Friday

An antique tractor show kicks off the summer festival at Blooming Prairie High School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 3. There are even more events starting at 4 p.m. that Thursday, including a “Letter Club” Moonwalk and a Pedal Tractor Pull.

A magic show will take place at the Blooming Prairie City Park at 7 p.m. July 3 and dances begin at 8 p.m. The teen dance featuring a live DJ will take place at the Servicemen’s Club and the J&H Street Dance with music by “The Blue Ringers” will be held downtown.

The fun continues on Friday, with the Awesome Blossom Run/Walk beginning early in the morning. Sign-ups for the run/walk begin at 7 a.m.

Friday events also include a car show, Hole-in-One Miniature Golf, Frog Bog, a Fine Arts Craft Fair and a beer garden. Stix of Fury perform at the city park at 1:30 p.m. as well.

The Rolling Car Show will take place at 1:30 p.m. along the parade route, with the parade itself at 2:30 p.m. A bean bag toss tournament will take place from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The celebration will wrap up with Blooming Prairie’s famous fireworks display, which takes place at 10 p.m. July 4 at Victory Field.