Don't plan on relaxing over the Fourth of July holiday.

Activities all over Austin absolutely pack the schedule this year with traditional favorites and some new additions.

Today, the downtown family day features mini-train rides, a kiddie parade and on-stage entertainment among other things. One of the new performances this year will be by Bridget's Dance Conservatory, which will put on their show from 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Other activities include the pedestal joust, moonwalk, mini-golf and the ring toss challenge. There will be a petting zoo and free balloons for the kids as well. The family day runs until 4 p.m.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the eighth annual street dance on Main Street. Five bands will play on two stages from 6 p.m. to midnight and prize drawings start at 11 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, and children 10 and under get in free with an adult.

Friday, military T-6 planes will do a flyover at 10:45 a.m. to kick off Austin's famous Independence Day parade. The parade, sponsored by Hormel Foods, starts at 11 a.m. at Wescott Field and travels west on First Ave. NW. At First St. NW, it will turn north to Third Avenue NW, west to First Street NW and then north again until it angles down and joins with North Main Street. The parade route ends at the junction of North Main Street. and Eighth Avenue NW.

Austin children will act as the grand marshals for the parade, and a number of Uncle Sams, sponsored by Austin Catholic Schools, will be walking along, handing out American-themed pinwheels and fans.

"Our parade is one of the best in southern Minnesota," festival Executive Director Cindy Samuel said. "It is colorful, and it is entertaining."

Food and games at Horace Austin Park will take place throughout the afternoon and evening, featuring characters like SpongeBob SquarePants, Scooby-Doo and the Powerpuff Girls and entertainment on stage by bands and performers. Big Carp Daddy and the Milfoil Weevils, on stage from 4 to 7 p.m., are one of the featured bands that evening.

Uncle Sam on stilts will be strolling the grounds juggling and performing on his unicycle and games such as tug-of-war and the basketball hoop shoot will be held from 1 to 10 p.m.

All this and more leads up to the fireworks show over Mill Pond at 9:45 p.m. Samuel said people start staking out their spots as early as 4 p.m. for the show. Money raised through sales of T-shirts and festival buttons help make both the show on the fourth, and the one on the fifth, possible. The $5 T-shirts and $2 buttons are available at the festival office at the Town Center. Button drawings will be held periodically to give away prizes.

Sporting events all day Saturday include a three-mile walk from the Mill Pond, a fishing contest at East Side Lake, a bike ride and race starting at the Nature Center and a 5-mile run starting at East Side Lake. Also, the men's slow pitch softball tournament will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at Todd Park.

The Hambone Blues Jam will also take place on Saturday in the Torge's parking lot from noon to 1 a.m. Eight bands will perform throughout the day

Tickets are $5 at the gate, and children 12 and under get in free with an adult.

A free rock show by Reverend Strychn Trio has changed locations. On Saturday, the band will play at 10 p.m. at the Alaskan Bar following performances at 8 and 9 p.m. by Fang3 and the Pachucos.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com