As you know, Independence Day is this Friday, July 4. If you’re not sure where you can catch a fireworks show or help your children patriotically celebrate the holiday, here are some suggestions!

A Children’s Hands-on Workshop will be held at the Fort Smith National Historic Site. This all-day program is for children ages 5 and up and will allow kids to explore the history of early Fort Smith. Though it is designed mostly to be fun for the children, it is also educational and ties into Arkansas’ state curriculum frameworks and standards. And it’s FREE!  For more information call (479) 783-3961 or email fosm_interpretation@nps.gov.

At the Fort Smith Museum of History, kids can enjoy patriotic craft making from 1pm-2pm. For children ages 6-12, a trolley ride and ice cream is provided. This event is free but the museum asks that all who plan to attend RSVP at (479) 783-7841.

From 11am-2pm, the Fort Smith Museum of History will host an interpretative program on the United States Flag. This program is free with museum admission and will explain things like the flag’s creation, stylistic updates and changes, and more. For more information or to RSVP, call (479) 783-7841.

Everyone’s favorite Fourth of July event, the fireworks show, will be held at Fort Smith River Park at 7:30pm. It’s free, open to the public, and is the largest fireworks show in the area. Music and food will be provided, and the event will feature Mr. Cabbage Head and the Screaming Radishes as well as the River Valley Community Band. For more information call (479) 783-8888.