Everyone wants to see a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks show without traversing across Western New York. But event times and places change year to year, and with the current economic landscape, it's not even a given that the shows will go on.

We've provided you with what we hope to be a comprehensive listing of all parades, festivals, flag raisings and fireworks extravaganzas going on this weekend. There are nearly 40 events taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Western New York and its surrounding communities. Whether you plan on walking a few minutes to your neighborhood show or crossing the border for a festival, be sure to bring along this handy guide that lists time, dates, places and rain dates, if given. And don't forget to bring a few sets of earplugs for the young ones.

Today

Akron:

Noon to 10 p.m.: rides in Russell Park, 85 Main St.; 10 p.m.: fireworks in Newstead Town Park at Skyline and Buell streets. Rain date (for fireworks): Sunday.

Albion:

5 to 9:30 p.m.: live music, food, clown and face painting at Bullard Park on East Avenue. Parking shuttle available.

Buffalo:

At Coca-Cola Field, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra concert and fireworks display following 6:05 p.m. Buffalo Bisons game against the Rochester Red Wings. Tickets available for $23 at www.bisons.com or by calling 843-4373.

Friendship Festival (Riverside Park) activities include, noon: beautiful baby contest; 1 p.m.: rides, concessions, Jolly the Clown and llamas; 3 p.m.: KIDS Day and penny scramble; 7 p.m.: Speedy Parker Blues Band; dusk: fireworks.

Cheektowaga:

Rides from 6 to 10 p.m. and Hit N Run concert at 6:30 p.m. at Lions Pavilion, Cheektowaga Town Park, 2600 Harlem Road

Cuba:

10 p.m. fireworks at Cuba Lake.

East Aurora:

7:30 p.m.: parade (down Girard Street or Oakwood Avenue, depending on construction); 8 to 10 p.m.: Never Been concert at Hamlin Park; dusk: fireworks at Hamlin Park. Rain date (for fireworks): Saturday

Ellicottville:

Summer Festival of the Arts activities include, 1 p.m.: fiddle contest at Main Street Gazebo near Washington and Jefferson streets; 6 p.m.: Sean Patrick McGraw concert ($10) at HiloMont Ski Resort; 7 p.m.: family entertainment at gazebo; 7 p.m.: Championship Rodeo at 6319 Sommerville Valley Road. Call 699-4839 for rodeo tickets. Concert tickets can be purchased through Tickets.com, the Chamber of Commerce office or the Inn at Holiday Valley.

Evans:

Fireworks at dusk at Lake Erie Beach Park, 9568 Lake Shore Road.

Lancaster:

Independence Days Festival events include, noon: rides and beer garden in parking lot of Save-A-Lot (10 Aurora St., Lancaster), Carnival Kids Steel Orchestra on main stage in Save-A-Lot parking lot; 2 p.m.: Urban Renewal concert on main stage; 3 p.m.: Unbridled Enthusiasm at Fireman's Park shelter near water tower; 7 p.m.: The Strangers on main stage.

Little Valley:

At Little Valley Speedway (501 Erie St.), 7 p.m.: Freedom Daze race; dusk: fireworks. Adults $14, children under 12 free.

Olcott/Newfane:

10 p.m. fireworks over Lake Ontario, can be seen from West Pier. Rain date: Next Friday.

Salamanca:

9:30 p.m.: fireworks at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel (777 Seneca Allegany Blvd.). Rain date: 9:30 p.m. Saturday

Sardinia:

7 p.m.: parade from Savage Road to Sardinia Veterans Town Park, Genesee Road.

Varysburg:

Jam in the Valley at Buffalo Hill Village campgrounds (1629 Big Tree Road) includes performances at 4:45 p.m.: West of the Mark; 5:30 p.m.: DJ ICE/West of the Mark; 7:15 p.m.: Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy; 9 p.m.: Gretchen Wilson. One-day tickets are $40 and available at www.jaminthevalley.com.

Youngstown:

At Old Fort Niagara (located off I-190 North exit 25B. Follow Robert Moses Parkway North to Youngstown exit. Follow parking signs to Youngstown's Veterans Park for free shuttle service). 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: French and Indian War re-enactments and games; 8 p.m.: military music concert; 9:30 p.m.: fireworks. Ongoing art, baking, blacksmithing and fur trading demonstrations. $13 per person at door, children six and younger free.

SATURDAY

Akron:

4:30 p.m.: Main Street parade (from Akron Central Schools complex, 47 Bloomingdale Ave., Akron, to fire hall); 7:30 p.m. Akron Idol at Russell Park Gazebo.

Amherst:

Events around Lake LaSalle, including Baird Point; enter at Lee or White roads. 7 p.m.: Billy McEwen Band concert; 8:45 p.m.: Erie County Wind Ensemble concert; 9:45 p.m.: town fireworks show at northeast corner of University at Buffalo North Campus.

Batavia:

Noon to 5 p.m.: band, rides, vendors and food in Centennial Park on Richmond Avenue. Fireworks following 7:05 p.m. Batavia Muckdogs baseball game at Dwyer Stadium.

Buffalo:

Friendship Festival (Riverside Park) activities include, 7 a.m.: fishing contest; 10 a.m.: children's parade; noon: Fourth of July Parade at River Rock Drive and Hertel Avenue; 1 p.m.: rides, concessions, Jolly the Clown, llamas and America's Idol contest; 4:30 p.m.: karaoke with Kent Miller; 7 p.m.: LaPotencia Band concert; dusk: fireworks.

Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf activities include, 5:15 p.m.: Michael Oliver & the Sacred Band concert; 6 to 8 p.m.: Explore and More Children's Museum tent; 6:45 p.m.: Cadenza of the Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo concert; 8:30 p.m.: Tom Stahl and the Dangerfields concert; dusk: fireworks. No coolers, cans or outside concessions allowed.

Cheektowaga:

Noon: parade down Walden Avenue to Town Park. Events at Town Park include, 1 to 5 p.m.: amusements; 2 p.m.: Bedrock Boys concert; 6:30 p.m.: Boys of Summer concert; dusk: fireworks.

Clarence:

Dusk: fireworks at Main Park on Main Street.

Ellicottville:

Summer Festival of the Arts activities include, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: arts and crafts show, Jefferson Street; 11 a.m.: Pet Parade, Washington Street; 8 p.m.: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra concert ($30) at Holiday Valley Ski Resort slopes, followed by fireworks. Championship rodeo at 1 and 7 p.m. at 6319 Sommerville Valley Road.

Elma:

10 p.m.: fireworks over the Elma, Marilla and Wales Boys & Girls Club. Parking across the street at Iroquois Central School (2111 Girdle Road). Rain date: 10 p.m. Sunday.

Fort Erie, Ont. :

Friendship Festival (Mather Arch) activities include, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.: Kidz Zone, Taoist Tai Chi and aboriginal demonstrations; 8 p.m.: The Trews and Cash Karma concert.

Grand Island:

9 a.m.: Dick Bessel Kids Race and (9:15 a.m.) road race on Grand Island Boulevard; 9:35 a.m.: parade on Grand Island Boulevard from Staley Road to Baseline Road; dusk: fireworks at Martin's Fantasy Island, 2400 Grand Island Blvd.

Hamburg:

Dusk: fireworks shot off from Brierwood Country Club (visible from road), 5324 Rogers Road.

Lancaster:

Independence Days Festival events (unless noted, all at main stage in parking lot of Save-A-Lot, 10 Aurora St., Lancaster) include, 8 a.m.: flag raising; 9 a.m.: baby contest, Boys and Girls Club 10K run; 11 a.m.: InJest concert; noon: Lancaster Town Band; 2 p.m.: Pleasant Avenue parade; 3 p.m.: 23 Skidoo, Wonderfair/Fun for the Family at corner of Broadway and Lake Avenue; 3:30 p.m.: United Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps; 4 p.m.: Cheerforce Wolfpack-USA; 4:30 p.m.: Lancaster/Depew Teen Idol winners; 6 p.m. Hit N Run concert; 10 p.m.: fireworks.

Lewiston:

6:30 p.m.: live bands in Academy Park; dusk: fireworks at Lewiston Plateau, near Artpark. Rain date (fireworks): Sunday.

Little Valley:

At Little Valley Speedway, 7:30 p.m.: Freedom Daze demolition derbies; dusk: fireworks. Adults $8, children under 12 free.

Lockport:

Dusk: fireworks at Outwater Park, Corinthia and Trowbridge streets. Rain date: Sunday.

Niagara Falls, N.Y.:

9 p.m. fireworks at Hyde Park, 4343 Porter Road

Niagara Falls, Ont.:

At Queen Victoria Park. 8 p.m.: concerts; 10 p.m.: fireworks.

Olean:

At Bradner Stadium. 5:30 p.m.: live music; dusk: fireworks. Rain date: Sunday.

Orchard Park:

8 p.m.: parade leaving Orchard Park High School, 4040 Baker Road, proceeds south on Baker Road, turns right onto Quaker Street and left onto South Lincoln Avenue, followed by parade float awards and fireworks at Orchard Park Middle School, 60 S. Lincoln Ave. Rain date (fireworks): Sunday.

Pendleton:

At Pendleton Town Park. 5 p.m.: live music and clowns; dusk: fireworks. Rain date (fireworks): Sunday.

Royalton:

At Royalton Ravine Park, Gasport Road. 3:30 p.m.: parade, chicken barbecue and Kids Zone; 5 p.m.: free concert; dusk: fireworks.

Springville:

At Community Park on North Buffalo Street. 5 p.m.: softball game between village/town and Wal-Mart workers; 7 p.m.: Gene Hilts and the Rustic Ramblers concert; dusk: fireworks.

Tonawandas:

6 p.m.: Terry Buchwald at Gateway Harbor Park, Sweeney Street between Main and Webster streets, North Tonawanda; 7 p.m.: Sugar & Jazz concert at Niawanda Park on Niagara Street, Tonawanda. Fireworks from both locations at dusk.

Varysburg:

Jam in the Valley at Buffalo Hill Village campgrounds includes 3:45 p.m.: 90 West concert; 5 p.m.: DJ ICE concert; 7:15 p.m.: Billy Currington concert; 9 p.m.: Gary Allan concert; dusk: fireworks. One-day tickets are $40 and available at www.jaminthevalley.com. Fireworks are visible in surrounding area.

Wheatfield:

Fireworks at dusk at Oppenheim Park, 2713 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Youngstown:

At Old Fort Niagara. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: French and Indian War re-enactments and games. Ongoing art, baking, blacksmithing and fur trading demonstrations. $13 per person at door, children six and younger free.

SUNDAY

Buffalo:

Friendship Festival (Riverside Park) activities include, noon to 5 p.m.: Great Lakes Kite Flying; 12:30 p.m.: home-baked pie contest; 1 p.m.: rides, concessions and llamas; 2 p.m.: Jason Brave concert; 6 p.m.: J.C. Thompson Band concert

Ellicottville:

Summer Festival of the Arts activities include, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: arts and craft show; noon to 3 p.m.: Strawberry Festival at Main Street Gazebo near Washington and Jefferson streets; 2 p.m. Championship Rodeo at 6319 Sommerville Valley Road; 7 p.m.: Three Dog Night concert ($30) at Holiday Valley.

Fort Erie, Ont.:

Friendship Festival (Mather Arch) runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with activities including a Kidz Zone, vendors, street performers, Celtic Gathering, tug of war and Miss All Canadian pageant.

Sardinia:

10:30 p.m. fireworks at Sardinia Veterans Town Park, Genesee Road.

Youngstown:

At Old Fort Niagara. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: French and Indian War re-enactments.