It has been more than 200 years since fireworks, drum and fife corps, and gun salutes kicked off the first celebration of our country's conception. And though many of these activities still remain traditions for Independence Day celebrations across the country, July 4 is about more than just outdoor fun and red, white, and blue decorations. It's also about liberty and our freedom as Americans.

For those of you who dozed off in history class, here's a quick refresher course: once Christopher Columbus discovered the "New World" in 1492, the real estate race was on in America. Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands all quickly made claims to colonies, and by the late 1600's, the majority of the East Coast was owned by the British. But tensions between the royals and colonists caused revolutionaries (George Washington and Thomas Jefferson among them) to fight back, and in 1776, pen the Declaration of Independence, which included such patriotic phrases as "all men are created equal" and "the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".

Since then, Americans have been celebrating the country's start in a variety of ways: with barbecues, with music and, most popularly, with parades and fireworks. Check out all the festivities in and around Rochester this year.

Thursday, July 3

Day of Remembrance Drumming, dance, keynote address. Durand Eastman Park, Irondequoit. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 234-1641.

Irondequoit Fourth of July Celebration Arts and crafts show (11 a.m.-9 p.m.), entertainment and food (2:30-11 p.m.), street dance w/Ruby Shooz (7 p.m.). Town Hall, 1280 Titus Ave, Irondequoit. Irondequoit.org.

Party in the Park The Joe Beard Blues Explosion, John Cole Blues Band, Steve Grills. Riverside Festival Site, Court St. and Exchange Blvd (across from the Blue Cross Arena). 5:30-9:30 p.m. 428-5900, cityofrochester.gov.

Penfield Independence Day Celebration  Chicken barbecue; music by Dick Stacy and the Rhythm Aces and the Coupe DeVilles. Harris Whalen Park, off Rt. 441, Penfield. 5-10 p.m. penfield.org.

Sodus Point Fourth of July Festivities Kiddie Parade (starts at Village Hall, 10 a.m.) antique car parade (7 p.m.), Ring of Fire (9:30 p.m.), fireworks (10 p.m.). Food, vendors, games, all day. Sodus Point Lighthouse grounds, Village of Sodus Point. 315-483-4936, greatsodusbay.org.

Friday, July 4

40 oz. to Freedom Live musical performances with patriotic theme. Dub Land Underground, 315 Alexander St. 9 p.m. 232-7550.

Brighton Fourth of July Celebration Chamber of Commerce 5K race (Brighton High School, 8 a.m.), pancake breakfast (Brighton High School, 8-11 a.m.), food, games, entertainment, and carnival rides (2:30-10 p.m.) pony rides (3:30-5:30 p.m.), Professor Jangle (children's entertainer, 5:30 p.m.), The Skycoasters (8 p.m.), fireworks display (9:50 p.m.). Meridian Centre Park, 2025 S Winton Rd (unless otherwise noted). 784-5260.

Brockport Fourth of July Celebration Morgan Manning House, 151 Main St, Brockport. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. brockportny.org.

Canandaigua Fourth of July Parade  South Main Street, Canandaigua. 10 a.m. Free. 396-0300, downtowncanandaigua.com.

Cool Kids: Bubblemania Juggling and bubble performers. Sagawa Park, Corner of Main & Erie St., Brockport. 7 p.m. 637-3984, generationcool.biz.

Downtown July 4 Celebration Fireworks display. Downtown Rochester. 10 p.m. 428-6697, cityofrochester.gov.

Fairport Fourth of July Celebration Race, vendors, arts & crafts, food, live music, parade. Perinton Park, Rt. 31F and O'Connor Rd, Fairport. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 586-9840, perintonchamber.com.

Fourth of July Bash Big Tree, Franchesca, and Lucid perform. Montage Live Music Hall, 50 Chestnut Plaza. 8 p.m. 232-1520.

GeneseeCountryVillage and Museum Independence Day Celebration Parade, music, ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence. Flint Hill Rd., Mumford. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 538-6927, gcv.org.

Henrietta Fourth of July Celebration Craft/garage sale (Henrietta Senior Center, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.), food, games, vendors, music (3-10 p.m.),fireworks display (9:40 p.m.) Henrietta Veteran's Memorial Park, 515 Calkins Rd. 359-2540, townofhenrietta.org.

Irondequoit Fourth of July Celebration 10K Race & 2-mile Fun Run (6:30-7:30 a.m.), decorated bike contest (ages 5-12, 9:45 a.m.), parade (11 a.m.), arts, crafts, entertainment, food (2:30-11 p.m.), fireworks display (9:30 p.m.) Town Hall, 1280 Titus Ave, Irondequoit. Irondequoit.org.

Monroe Extinguisher Co Stream Light Firemen appreciation night; mid-season madness; car show. 3011 Ridge Rd., Williamson. 7:30 p.m. 315-589-3018, spencerspeedway.org.

Penfield Independence Day Celebration Parade (Penfield High School to Penfield Community Center, 2 p.m.), music by Mint Jam, Trevor MacDonald Band, Brass Taxi (4-11 p.m.), fireworks display (10:15 p.m.). Harris Whalen Park, off Rt. 441, Penfield. penfield.org.

Picnic in the Park PatriART Walk for the Arts (1-, 2-, and 3-mile walks, 9 a.m.), music, live entertainment, arts and crafts, food, vendors, children's activities (noon-5 p.m.). Centennial Park, Richmond Ave, Batavia. 343-9313.

Red Wings Independence Day Celebration Vs. Buffalo Bisons, post-game fireworks. Frontier Field. 7:05 p.m. 454-9464, redwingsbaseball.com.

RiverCity Rhythms Smugtown Stompers (5:30 p.m.), Orient Express (7:30 p.m.). Between Exchange Blvd. and the Genesee River at Plymouth Ave. 428-5990, cityofrochester.gov.

Sodus Point Fourth of July Festivities Breakfast on the Bluff (7 a.m.-11 a.m.), Annual Lighthouse 5K Walk-Run (7:30-10:30 a.m.), Children's Fun Run (10:30 a.m.), craft show at the lighthouse (9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.), children's sailboat race (10:30 a.m.), Gap Mangione concert (2-4 p.m.). Sodus Point Lighthouse grounds, Village of Sodus Point. 315-483-4936, greatsodusbay.org.

Spirit of America Independence Day Party Inflatables, games, face painting, bocce and croquet (3-8 p.m.), jugglers, reenactments, entertainment (5:30-9 p.m.), Praise Band (5-6 p.m.), presentations and tribute to America's heroes by elected officials (6-8:30 p.m.), Mighty St. Joe's Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps (9-9:30 p.m.), fireworks display (10 p.m.). Grace and Truth Sports Park, 373 N Greece Rd. 615-3991, thespiritofamerica.info.

Watkins Glen World Grand Prix Concessions and vendors (7 a.m.-7 p.m.), various races (5-7 p.m.), fireworks display (9:45 p.m.). County Rt. 16, Watkins Glen. 866-461-RACE, theglen.com.

Saturday, July 5

America Night Sportsman Modified Twins, UMP Street Stocks, PureStox, ESDCA Mod Lites, fireworks spectacular. Ontario County Fairgrounds, County Road 10, Canandaigua. 5-10 p.m. 394-0961, canandaiguaspeedway.com.

Foot Stompin' Saturday at the Perry Farmers' Market Traditional American and folk music. Borden Ave., Perry. 8:30a.m.-12:30 p.m. perryfarmersmarket.com.

Watkins Glen World Grand Prix Concessions and vendors (7 a.m.-7 p.m.), various races (5-7 p.m.), fireworks display (9:45 p.m.). County Rt. 16, Watkins Glen. 866-461-RACE, theglen.com.