Lots of ways to celebrate

Augustans love to party, especially when things get blown up.

Here's a sampling of what's happening in the area to celebrate the Fourth of July:

Fort Gordon's Independence Day celebration will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. today at Barton Field on Fort Gordon. The event features a performance by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Band, children's carnival and pony rides, games and food vendors. See facebook.com/fortgordon.

The Lake Freedom Fireworks Spectacular is Friday at Little River Marina and Family Resort, 4271 Old Lincolnton Road in Appling. It will feature classic summer games at 3 p.m., including watermelon eating and seed-spitting, horse shoes, sack races, three-legged races and a raw egg toss. There's a Christian concert at 6 p.m. and fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. No coolers or alcohol are allowed, but food vendors will be available.

Riverblast begins at noon Saturday at Augusta Common, 800 block between Broad and Reynolds streets. The event features arts and crafts, dancing, music and a fireworks display.

Fireworks will be shot off of the North Augusta side of the Fifth Street Bridge. The display will last about 26 minutes, and will be choreographed to music.

Admission is free. Call (706) 826-0026.

Grovetown is serving free barbecue Saturday at Liberty Park Community Center on Newmantown Road. The food will be available from noon until the barbecue runs out. Barbecue is free and includes hash and rice, bread and pickles. Hot dogs and chips also will be available. Takeout plates cost $5. Entertainment includes karaoke and performances by Durell Morris and the Southern Bluegrass Boys.

The Columbia County Fourth of July celebration starts at 4 p.m. Saturday at Patriots Park, 5445 Columbia Road. The event will feature fireworks, inflatables, rides, live entertainment and food vendors. Entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m., with performers including the J. Mann Band, Brandon McGuiness, Hannah Miller and the Army Signal Corps Band from Fort Gordon. The fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m. See www.columbiacountyga.gov.

The annual Star-Spangled Fourth concert by the Independence Day Chorus and Orchestra begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 605 Reynolds St. The fireworks on Riverwalk will be followed with an afterglow barbecue in the River and Berlin rooms. General admission tickets cost $15, and patron tickets are $60 a pair. Patron tickets include preferred parking, seating and program recognition. See www.riverwalkseries.com.

Contact Tharon A. Giddens, features editor, at (706) 823-3347, or tharon.giddens@augustachronicle.com.