We’ve assembled a handy guide to Fourth of July celebrations and traditions — from cooking tips to dates and times for 16 fireworks celebrations.

Fireworks displays

Today

* Tri-State Exhibition Center, 1/4 mile off I-75 at exit 20, Cleveland, Tenn., approximately 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

* Lake Winnepesaukah, 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville, Ga., 10 p.m., synchronized to music with finale to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”

Thursday

* Collegedale, Tenn., Veterans Memorial Park along Collegedale greenway off Apison Pike, about 9:15 p.m. following pops concert.

* Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Barnhardt Circle, about 9:30 p.m. following pops concert.

* Lookouts baseball game, AT&T Field, 201 Power Alley, fireworks follow 6:15 p.m. game (about 9:30 p.m.); display to be shot from Cameron Hill, fans will be allowed onto field to watch from outfield.

* Pops on the River, Coolidge Park, about 9:45 p.m. following CSO concert, display choreographed to music; fireworks will be shot from barge on Tennessee River, center section of Walnut Street Bridge will be closed for seating, through-traffic only.

Friday

* Blue Ridge, Ga., Blue Ridge Marina, 9 p.m.

* Dalton, Ga., Heritage Point Park, 1250 Crossplains Trail, 9:45 p.m.

* Dunlap, Tenn., downtown square, 9 p.m. CDT

* LaFayette, Ga., Municipal Park, South U.S. Highway 27, LaFayette, Ga., 9:30 p.m.

* Lake Winnepesaukah, 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville, Ga., 10 p.m., synchronized to music with finale to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”

* Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club, 809 James Blvd., 9:30 p.m.

* Soddy-Daisy, Soddy lake near ballfields, 9:30 p.m.

* South Pittsburg, Tenn., old ferry landing on Jaycee Drive, 9 p.m. CDT

Saturday

* Graysville, Tenn., Graysville City Park, 9:45 p.m.

* Spring City, Tenn., Veterans Park, 9 p.m.

FREE PATRIOTIC CONCERTS

* Collegedale Pops Concert: Thursday, 8 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park on the Collegedale greenway, adjacent to Apison Pike; program by East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra, bring lawn chairs for seating, fireworks following concert.

* Memorial Auditorium Organ Concert: Tuesday, 7 p.m., 399 McCallie Ave., patriotic and Broadway show tunes played on Austin pipe organ by Robert S. MacDonald, former organist at Radio City Music Hall; recognition of veterans and Armed Forces, organ accompaniment to Laurel and Hardy silent movie.

* Patriotism at the Post: Thursday, 8 p.m., polo field at Barnhardt Circle, Fort Oglethorpe; L’Abri Symphony Orchestra performs followed by fireworks.

* Pops on the River: Thursday, 8 p.m., Coolidge Park, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera patriotic concert; park in Unum lots between Fourth and Fifth streets and catch CARTA shuttle beginning at 6 p.m.

* Red, White and Bluegrass: Thursday, 7 p.m., John A. Patten Recreation Center, 3202 Kelley’s Ferry Road in Lookout Valley, sponsored by Lookout Valley Neighborhood Association.

GOD AND COUNTRY

Patriotic services at local churches today:

* “Celebrate America Festival”: Ridgedale Baptist Church, 1831 Hickory Valley Road, 6 p.m.

* “Freedom Celebration”: Tri-State Exhibition Center, 1/4 mile off I-75 at exit 20, Cleveland, Tenn., 5:30-9:30 p.m., eighth annual community program sponsored by Mount Olive Church of God, children’s inflatables, music, food vendors and fireworks finale.

* “In God We Trust”: First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Ave., 6:30 p.m., free fried chicken dinner in fellowship hall with seatings at 5:15 and 5:45 p.m., followed by program by choir, orchestra and veterans.

* “It’s Time to Stand”: Central Baptist Church/Abba’s House, 5208 Hixson Pike, 5:50 -6:10 p.m. barbershop quartet performs, 6:10 p.m. orchestra begins, 6:30 p.m. program with original and favorite patriotic music by church choir, message by the Rev. Ron Phillips; Hixson food vendors selling specialties outdoors on grounds of church.

— Compiled by staff writers Holly Leber and Susan Pierce

TIPS FOR BARBECUING

PORK: Get a fresh Boston butt roast, unthawed, use a rub of your choosing, refrigerate for a couple of hours before cooking. Put it in smoker with fat side up. Let smoke uncovered 6-7 hours at 200 degrees. Wrap with aluminum foil. Let stand 6-7 hours on the smoker. If the bone pulls out with ease, it’s done. Refrigerate the juices to use later if reheating is needed.

BEEF: Get a bottom round, flat piece of meat or shoulder clod. Don’t season — the natural flavor suffices. Put it on the smoker unthawed, let it smoke for two hours at 200 degrees with the fat side up. Wrap in foil. Let stand 6-7 hours on the smoker. Reserve juices, pour back onto the beef. Meat should fall apart when you pull it up.

CHICKEN: Buy a wh bird. Season top side w a rub of choice. Place o smoker for a couple of hours at 200 degrees. Wrap in foil and replace to keep flavors and aroma inside. Should be done in three hours. Leg should come off with ease.

RIBS: Season the top, let them smoke for two hours. Wrap in foil 4-6 hours. With glove on, stick a finger between the bones. If it goes between the bones “like butter,” you’re golden.

SAUCE: Use a tomato base, brown sugar and spices of your choosing to create a sauce. Get innovative: add spices and flavors like habanero, lemon pepper or garlic to a basic hickory-smoked sauce from the grocery store.

Source: Mark D. Chambers, owner of Choo Choo BBQ 153 and Nooga-Q Smokehouse and Grille

FOR LITTLE PATRIOTS

Red, White and Blue Days: Friday-Sunday, July 6, at Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., noon to 4 p.m. This Independence Day celebration for children includes a grand finale each day with “bubblewrap fireworks” in the atrium. Children’s art activities will include making paper flags and windsocks. Children can show their spirit with red, white and blue face paint and marching in a patriotic parade. Admission is regular museum admission of $8.95 for adults and children.

WRITE THE TROOPS

Thank a member of Battery M, 4th Battalion, 14th Marines — the “Mike Battery” — for their military service by sending cards, letters or packages of needed items such as toiletries, baby wipes, sunscreen, playing cards, books, CDs and DVDs.

Mail them to: 1st Sgt. James Tucker M Btry 3/14 Unit 72090 FPO AE 09509-2090

Source: Marine Corps Reserve Training Center

HISTORY OF THE HOLIDAY

The Fourth of July is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which declared independence

Great Britain.

The first anniversary:

In 1777, citizens of Philadelphia, Pa., celebrated in a manner modern Americans would find familiar: an official dinner with politicians (in their case, the Continental Congress), toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers, music, parades, troop reviews and fireworks.

The first recorded use of the name Independence Day was in 1791.

In 1870, Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees.

In 1941, Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.

Source: online encyclopedia

FLAG ETIQUETTE

1. When displayed with another flag, the United States flag should be on the right with its staff crossed in front of the other flag.

2. When a flag is in disarray and no longer suitable for display as an emblem, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably burning. Contact a local VFW chapter.

3. Flag T-shirts, napkins, etc. are considered a violation of the flag code; however a flag pin may be worn on the left lapel, near the heart.

4. When displayed in a window, the blue union should be placed at the upper left.

5. The flag should never be allowed to touch anything beneath it, including the ground, water or merchandise.

Source: United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 — The Flag