Photo Credit: flickr user popofatticus

UPDATE: This event has been canceled due to weather concerns.

For a relatively small town, Athens' parks and recreation department provides the city with a near constant variety of free family activities. Residents are especially fond of the annual Fourth of July celebration, the charming Star-Spangled Classic, featuring plenty of kids' activities and fireworks on the expansive green space and play areas of Bishop Park. Kids under 10 can win prizes for their patriotically decorated bikes in the kids' bike parade at 6 p.m., which also welcomes strollers, wagons and scooters. The Kids' Fun Zone lasts all night and offers bouncy inflatables, face painting and games, all at $2 per person. Food vendors, live music and, of course, the fireworks at 9:30 p.m. round out the event, a sweet and inexpensive way to celebrate with the community.