The Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday, providing a mid-week break and a full day of entertainment.

The local Stars and Stripes Committee has been busy organizing the annual parade and fireworks display that provide a bookend for the holiday.

The parade begins at noon this year and will follow the traditional course, rolling south over Cole Street. Organizers expect a healthy turnout of entries, featuring the usual assortment of civic groups and businesses.

As usual, the parade will begin with children on bicycles, tricycles and scooters. There’s a change this year, as the organizing committee will no longer provide kids with brightly-colored decorations; those wishing to head up the parade will have to arrive downtown with their rides already decked out.

That night, at about dusk, a professional fireworks show will light up the sky. There’s a change in venue this year, as the pyrotechnic display will take place on school district property near Southwood Elementary School (see accompanying story).

There was concern earlier in the year that funds would be scarce and the fireworks show would have to be scrapped. Sufficient donations were received to cover the costs, however, and the show will go on.

The Independence Day celebration kicks off a busy July in Enumclaw.

• Creation Festival returns to the Expo Center July 18-21, attracting tens of thousands of followers that fill the city’s streets, stores, restaurants and coffee shops – not to mention the grassy fields surrounding the Expo Center that are transformed into a tent village.

• At the same time, on July 20-21, downtown Enumclaw plays host to the annual Street Fair. Cole Street is blocked off as more than 150 vendors set up shop. Adding to the fun is a carnival, a regular rotation of live entertainment, miniature golf and pony rides. The Saturday morning of the event, runners and walkers are invited to turn out for a 5K event.

• Also on the busy weekend of July 21-22 is the annual handcar and lawnmower races in Wilkeson. It’s the biggest weekend of the summer in the small town, featuring an 11 a.m parade, along with food and entertainment.

• The last weekend of the month, July 27-29, will see the Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering return to the Enumclaw Expo Center. It’s a celebration of all things Celtic, with plenty of pipes and drums, traditional athletic competition, authentic food and plenty of vendors.