A parade, 5K run, auto show and fireworks are just some of the attractions that bring in an estimated 75,000 people each July. The 5K run begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by the street fair at 9:30 a.m. and the holiday parade at 10 a.m.
The Americana Festival concludes with grand finale fireworks at Centerville High School Stadium at 10 p.m. Cost: free. Call 937-433-5898 or go online to www.americanafestival.org.
2) COUNTRY CONCERT AT HICKORY HILLS
As it has for the past three decades, the Country Concert at Hickory Hills Lake will feature some of the top names in the genre. Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen and The Band Perry are among the performers in the 35th annual festival, which returns to Hickory Hills Lake, 7103 Ohio 55, Ft. Laramie, next Thursday through next Saturday, July 9-11. Music begins at 3 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. Cost: $89-$586. Tent and RV camping is available. Call 937-295-3000 or go online to www.countryconcert.com.
3) RED, WHITE AND BOONSHOFT
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 Dewesse Parkway, Dayton, is getting in the patriotic spirit with Red, White and Boonshoft. The Star Spangled Science Celebration, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 4, features science shows, indoor fireworks in the planetarium, face painting and more. Cost: $13 adults, $11 seniors 60 and older and $10 children 3-16. Admission is free for museum members and children younger than 3. Call 937-278-6076 or visit www.boonshoftmuseum.org.
4) AMRINDER GILL
Amrinder Gill is still relatively unknown in the United States, but he’s a rising star in India, where this year alone he will appear in several feature films such as the upcoming “Angrej.” The Punjabi singer-actor, whose latest album, “Judaa 2,” was released in 2014, is on a tour of the United States and Canada. Gill performs at Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton, at 6 p.m. Friday, July 3. Cost: $35, $50, $100. Call 937-344-9917 or visit www.daytonconventioncenter.com.
5) CAR SHOW AND SWAP MEET
Some of the now classic cars featured in the 50th annual 4th of July Car Show and Swap Meet in Xenia were new models fresh off the car lot when this popular event started a half century ago. Now, many of those high-powered machines have appreciated in value thanks to the loving care of its owners. These are the meticulous types of car owners that will be showing off antiques, street rods, trucks and street machines manufactured through 1988 at this automotive showcase, which returns to the Greene County Fairgrounds, 122 Fairground Road, Xenia, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Cost: $10 car registration and $2 for spectators. Visit www.greenecarclub.com.
6) NEW DAI SHOWS
Dayton Art Institute’s Year of American Art continues with “Call to Duty: World War Posters” and “Tears of Stone: Photographs by Jane Alden Stevens.” These two special exhibitions commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War I open at the DAI, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton, on Saturday, July 4. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost: free for museum members and youth/children 6 and younger. Admission is $14 for nonmember adults, $11 students 18 and older with ID, active military and groups of 10 or more, and $6 youth ages 7-17. The exhibitions are on display through Oct. 4. Call 937-223-4ART (4278) or visit www.daytonartinstitute.org.
7) TIMBRE
Timbre Cierpke’s angelic voice and nimble harp playing are the centerpiece of the music she creates with her band Timbre, but this isn’t somber chamber music. Cellist Patrick Rush and drummer Mason Self add powerful rhythmic counterpoint to Cierpke’s enchanting songs. The Nashville group, currently out supporting its new album, “Sun & Moon,” performs at Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Narrow/Arrow, Sea Cycles and Lo, the Loyal Conscripts will also perform. Cost: $5. Call 937-938-6405 or visit www.blindbobs.com.
8) DOWNTOWN FUN
Special drink deals at Dublin Pub, sample tastings at Belle of Dayton Distillery and a group bicycle ride to featured spots are just some of the activities this Friday evening in downtown Dayton. Various locations downtown beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, July 3. More information online at www.downtowndayton.org.
9) STAR SPANGLED BOOM
The City of Moraine is celebrating Independence Day with two days of fun on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4. Star Spangled Boom, at Wax Park, 3800 Main St., Moraine, features fireworks, amusement rides, live performances, amateur talent shows, a 5K walk/run and more. The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. Christian pop singer Adam Cappa performs at 7 p.m. Friday and country singer Alexis Gomez, the recent “American Idol” contestant from Centerville, performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The fireworks celebration begins at 10 p.m. Saturday. Cost: free. Call 937-535-1000 or visit www.ci.moraine.oh.us.
10) AARON TIPPIN
Last month, Aaron Tippin celebrated a quarter of a century as a successful country singer with two big projects for fans. In addition to the career-spanning two-disc retrospective, “Aaron Tippin 25,” he partnered with Stonehaus Winery for Aaron Tippin Country Jam, a barrel-selected blackberry wine. Tippin headlines a USO show with special guest Alexis Gomez at JD Legends, 65 Millard Drive, Franklin, at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9. Cost: $20. Call 937-746-4950 or visit www.jdlegends.com.
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