INDEPENDENCE DAY Area activities planned

MAHONING COUNTY

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown’s parade starts at 2 p.m. today. Kelly Pavlik will be the grand marshal. The parade will begin at the intersection of Kirk and Raccoon roads, and move north to Fitch High School.

Police are asking that people along the parade route don’t use garden hoses, Super Soakers or water balloons to douse parade participants. Participation in the parade is down because of that, said Lt. Bryan Kloss. Sometimes horses in the parade get upset when blasted with water, and safety is compromised, said Chris Lewis, parade chairman.

Fireworks are canceled in the township this year because of ongoing renovations at Fitch High School stadium, where they are usually set off.

CANFIELD

There are no fireworks scheduled this year.

Activities today include:

URegistration for Firecracker Four Mile Run and Kid’s Foot Race, 7:30 a.m., township hall.

UParade begins assembling, 8:15 a.m., Canfield Fairgrounds.

UKids’ race begins in front of First Place Bank, 8:30 a.m.

UBicycle decorating judging, 9 a.m. at fairgrounds.

UAwards for adult and kids’ races, 10 a.m. at reviewing stand.

UParade leaves fairgrounds, 10:10 a.m.

UParade reaches the Green at 10:30 a.m.

UAfter the parade, meet Porgie the Clown. There will also be a caricaturist on the Green.

UIntroduction of the parade grand marshal and awards presentation, noon.

UMagic show “Porgie the Clown,” 12:30 p.m. on the north Green.

UYoungstown Symphonic Band performance, 1 p.m. at the Gazebo.

STRUTHERS

A parade, sponsored by the Struthers Business Association, is at noon today and will cover a route of about three miles, starting at Fifth Street and Manor Avenue. The parade will travel along Sexton Street, Poland Avenue, Smithfield Street, then Fifth Street back to the plaza. Parade participants will begin assembling and lining up at 10:30 a.m. in front of the state license bureau in the Fifth Street Plaza.

YOUNGSTOWN

A fireworks display by B.J. Alan Co. is at 10 p.m. today by the B&O Station on Mahoning Avenue, sponsored by the city and Anthony’s On The River. Frankie and the Sensations will perform at Anthony’s, 15 Oak Hill Ave., from 7-11 p.m.

TRUMBULL COUNTY

HOWLAND

UA 5-kilometer Stripes Run and Walk sponsored by St. Joseph Medical Center will be at 8 a.m. today at the high school football stadium. Forms are available at YMCA, YWCA, St. Joseph’s, St. Joseph Urgent Care and township administration building, 205 Niles-Cortland Road.

UA parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Hunter’s Square Plaza. Numerical lineup will be distributed at 8:30 a.m. at the plaza.

UActivities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. include games, entertainment, face painting, food and music by Top Notes and Take II at East Market Street and Willow Drive.

URegistration for the car show will be at 11 a.m. for a $5 fee with judging at noon. Prizes will be awarded.

UPet parade at noon. Prizes will be given for cutest, smartest, best dressed, best behaved and most unusual.

To volunteer, contact Rachael Hunt at (330) 856-2340.

NILES

A fireworks display will be at 10 p.m. today downtown.