Our nation's still at war and the economy continues to slump. What's a true red-white-and-blue American to do?

Brush up the salute and rally the family for a bang-up Fourth of July, which fortunately falls on a Saturday this year. Fireworks will be lighting up skies along the Wasatch Front on July 4. Here are our picks for the most festive celebrations:

Provo's Freedom Festival » One of Utah's biggest celebrations spans three days, beginning July 2. Among the event's most popular activities are an arts and crafts fair on the Utah County Government complex and Tabernacle Park in downtown Provo (Center Street and University Avenue), and the Balloon Fest, which takes place from 6:30 to 8 a.m. at Bulldog Field, 1100 N. Freedom Blvd. Both events take place all three days. The Grande Parade, one of the festival's biggest events, is July 4 at 9 a.m., beginning at University Avenue. The festival's grand finale is the Stadium of Fire, this year featuring teen heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers and Utah-bred country stars SheDaisy, with Glenn Beck as host. The concert starts at 8 p.m. at Brigham Young University's LaVell Edwards Stadium and will be followed by one of the state's largest fireworks shows. (Tickets to the concert are $35-$120.) For a full schedule or to buy tickets, visit http://www.freedomfestival.org.

Ogden Cherry Days » North Ogden kicks off its celebration of Independence Day with a 5K run/walk July 4 at 7 a.m., followed by the Children's Parade at 9:30 a.m. and the main parade at 10 a.m., on Washington Boulevard from 2800 North to 1900 North. There will also be a car show, flag raising, softball game and a carnival at noon at North Ogden Park, 2685 N. 500 East. Live music begins at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. at Weber High School, 430 Weber High Drive. For more information, call 801-737-0587 or visit www.northogdencity.com.

Murray Fun Days » Activities start with a 5K race at 8 a.m. (registration is $15 advance, $30 day of) on Constitution Circle in Murray Park, 296 E. Murray Park Lane. The parade is at 8:30 a.m., beginning at Fashion Place Mall, 6151 S. State St., and ending at Murray Park. There will be a carnival, car show and baseball games at the park, as well as music and other live entertainment in the Murray Park Gazebo. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. in the Murray Park Softball Field. For questions, visit www.murray.utah.gov.

Sugar House Park » Residents of Salt Lake County know Sugar House Park as one of the biggest and best firework shows around. The show starts at 10 p.m., preceded by a patriotic concert by the Salt Lake Symphonic Winds at 7:30 p.m. Come early and enjoy the Sugar House Arts Festival from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. along Highland Drive between Wilmington Avenue and 2100 South. There will be live music, food and arts and crafts vendors. For more information, visit www.sugarhousepark.org or www.sugarhouselife.com.

Magna Days Celebrate with the city's parade at noon beginning at 8560 W. 3100 South and traveling north to Magna's Main Street at 2700 S. and then to 9180 West. A carnival will take place at 4 p.m. at Cooper Park, 8900 W. 2600 South. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.magnautah.org.

Park City This historic mining town has scheduled a full day of activities, beginning with a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast at City Park, 1354 Park Ave., followed by a 5K fun run with the Park City Ski Team at 10 a.m. (Call 435-649-4806 to register.) The Fourth of July Parade is from noon to 4 p.m., followed by food, live music, a beer garden and more at City Park. Fireworks will take place at dusk at Park City's Mountain Resort, 1310 Lowell Ave. For more info, visit www.parkcityinfo.com.

Salt Lake City Bees Game Utah's Triple-A team plays on July 4 and 5, both of which are followed by fireworks. The Bees play the Tacoma Rainiers at Franklin Covey Field, 77 W. 1300 South, Salt Lake City. Tickets for the July 4 ballgame are $8.50-$23.50; July 5 tickets are $6.50-$22.50, available online at slbees.com or at the venue box office.

Lehi Thanksgiving Point hosts the city's fireworks show at 10 p.m. at Electric Park, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Point Way, Lehi. The Crescent Superband will also perform at 6 p.m. Free.

Kaysville Festivities kick off at 6:30 a.m. with a breakfast at the Davis Applied Technology Center, 550 E. 300 South. There will be a parade at 11 a.m., beginning at DATC, and a free carnival with blow-up amusements at Davis High School, 325 S. Main St. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. at DATC. For more information, call 801-546-1235.

Clearfield A 5K run/walk is at 7 a.m. at the Clearfield City municipal building, 55 S. State St., followed by breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. in the parking of Macey's grocery store, 700 S. State St. The Hometown Parade is at 9:30 a.m. from the intersection of State and Center streets, ending at Fisher Park/Clearfield High School, 934 S. 1000 East, where there will be live music and fireworks at 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.clearfieldcity.org.

Riverton A carnival, entertainment and fireworks will take place Riverton City Park, 12650 S. 1450 West. There will also be a chuckwagon breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Cost is $2 to $3. Visit www.rivertoncity.com.

Sandy All events are at the South Towne Promenade, 10000 S. 175 West, including at 5K fun run (sign up by calling 801-568-2900); a youth arts festival featuring rides, games food and more; a parade at 7 p.m.; and country music group Carolina Rain, followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. Visit sandy.utah.gov/parks.

West Jordan Fireworks at dusk at Veterans Memorial Park, 1985 W. 7800 South. www.wjordan.com.

Independence Day concerts

Utah Symphony The Utah Symphony kicks off its summer concert series at Deer Valley Resort in Park City with the annual Patriotic Celebration on July 4, under the direction of David Cho. On the bill is the first movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5; Williams' "Star Wars Suite for Orchestra"; and Holst's "Mars" and "Jupiter" from "The Planets." Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25, $12 for students, $75 for families and $50 for reserved (prices increase $5 the day of the performance), available at www.utahsymphony.org or by calling 801-355-ARTS. The Utah Symphony will perform the concert on two earlier dates: July 3 at 8 p.m. at the Sundance Resort in Park City. Tickets are $15, $5 for students by calling 801-355-ARTS or online at www.arttix.org; and June 30, 8:30 p.m. at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City. Free.

Blood, Sweat and Tears As part of its St. Regis Big Stars Bright Night series, the Park City Performing Arts Foundation hosts an Independence Day concert featuring Blood, Sweat and Tears. The concert is July 3, 7 p.m., at Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater in Park City. Tickets are $31, $56 for reserved seating (discounts for seniors and children under 12) available at 435-655-3114 or www.ecclescenter.org.

Orchestra and Chorus of Sandy Joel Rosenberg leads the orchestra in a benefit concert on July 2 at 8 p.m. the Sandy Amphitheatre, 1245 E. 9400 South. The program includes Gould's "American Salute," Dvorak's "Adiago," Arlen's " Somewhere Over the Rainbow," Gershwin's "Summertime" and more. Tickets are $10, $35 for a family of 5, at the door.

"A Field of Stars" This original musical production by Sunnie Thompson is sponsored by Richfield City and The COMPANI Theater Arts Group. Performances are July 1 and 2, 7 p.m., and July 4, 4 p.m., at the Sevier Valley Center Theater on Snow College Richfield Campus, 200 S. 800 West, Richfield. Free.