Around Alabama

18 Pell City the Pell City Historical Society will host Andrew Eden, who will make a presentation on the Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga and the founding of the nation’s first national military park. Free. 1 p.m. at the Venue on 20th. See the group’s Facebook page.

21-30 Northwest Alabama

W.C. Handy Music Festival. This ten-day series of primarily music events around the Shoals area honors the musical legacy of W.C. Handy, known as the “father of the Blues,” and the talented musicians who hail from the Shoals or who recorded there. Wchandymusicfestival.com

JULY

2 and 4 Prattville Independence Day activities. On Sunday, a patriotic concert by the Prattville Pops and Community Chorus begins at 3 p.m. at the Doster Center. On Tuesday, a parade begins at 9 a.m. downtown, followed by the Lions Club barbecue until 2 p.m. at Pratt Park. Cardboard boat races at 10:30 a.m., with a pool party from 1 to 5 p.m. Fireworks at the Clocktower begin at dark. PrattvilleAl.gov

3 Alexander City 19th annual Celebrate Freedom Christian concert and fireworks show, on the front lawn of Benjamin Russell High School at 6 p.m. Musical artists will be Jason Crabb and Colton Dixon, with Christian comedian Mickey Bell. Free; bring lawn chairs. Food available for purchase on site. Sponsored by the Alabama Cross Road Events.

3 Opelika Freedom Celebration, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Opelika High School, 1700 LaFayette Parkway. Silver Wings Parachute Team, music, hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and activities for the whole family. Fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Opelika-al.gov

3-4 Grand Bay Grand Bay Watermelon Festival, 10327 Taylor F. Harper Blvd. Arts and crafts vendors, food court and entertainment area. On Monday, gates are open 3 to 7 p.m. with no admission. On Tuesday, gates open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $5 per vehicle admission. Open car show, pretty baby contest, free sliced ice-cold watermelon, rides, games, contests and more. Fireworks at 8 p.m. Tuesday. GrandBayWatermelonFestival.org

4 Cullman Fourth of July fireworks and music festival at Smith Lake Park, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Food and arts and crafts vendors; park has tent camping and cabins. CullmanCountyParks.com

4 Fairhope Fourth of July concert and fireworks display, Henry George Park and the Fairhope Municipal Pier. Baldwin Pops Band concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the park, with fireworks around 9 p.m. 251-929-1474.

4 Gulf Shores Independence Day Celebration, Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. (Pier closes to the public beginning at 7 a.m. to setup for fireworks.) GulfShoresAl.gov

4 Headland Fourth of July parade and fireworks. Fun on the square begins at 4 p.m., and the ag parade begins at 5 p.m. Fireworks show at Douglas Park begins at 8:30 p.m. Food trucks, glitter tattoos, balloon animals and more. Business.headlandal.org and click on “events.”

4 Henagar 41st Annual Sand Mountain Potato Festival, Henagar City Park. Parade begins at 10 a.m. with activities in the park following. Free entry. Festival includes musical entertainment, car show, craft vendors, food vendors, and game vendors. Fireworks display at 9 p.m. 256-657-6282.

15 Wetumpka River and Blues Music and Arts Festival, 4 to 11 p.m. in downtown. Featuring Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Jukebox Brass Band, Kat Riggins, the Green Springs and the Fabulous Fliptones. Vendors selling handmade art and food vendors on site. Search for the event’s Facebook page.

15-16 Cullman 16th annual Shoot for a Cure 3D archery tournament at Camp David, 3735 County Road 940. Sponsored by Circle of Hope, all proceeds go to the Bruno Cancer Center. Family atmosphere with door prizes and concessions available; awards will be given for age divisions and levels of competition. Search for Circle of Hope Cullman on Facebook.

22 Clanton 13th annual Chilton County Arts Festival, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clanton Performing Arts Center on the campus of Jefferson State. Vendors will sell only hand-crafted art at this free indoor event. ChiltonCountyArtsCouncil.com or call 205990-9409.

27-30 Mobile Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival. Events include an evening of poetry at the Ben May Main Library, a jazz gala, and concerts on the Mobile Civic Center Grounds. Musicians will include Kent Jordan and friends, Excelsior Band and Zulu Tramps, Donald Harrison, Thad Wilson, Madoca and friends and Kim Scott. Gcehjazzfest.wordpress.com

29 Daphne Taste of the Eastern Shore, a fundraiser benefiting the Daphne High School Band. 6 to 10 p.m., Daphne Civic Center. Multiple locally owned restaurants will be featured, along with a silent auction and live music by the Velcro Pygmies. Tickets are $50 per person; email susiepooh1979@yahoo.com

August

3-6

Northeast Alabama the World’s Longest Yard Sale. More than 650 miles of yard sales and unique treasure finds await travelers along the Lookout Mountain Parkway from Gadsden to Chattanooga, Tenn. VisitLookoutMountain.com

18-19 Russellville Franklin County Watermelon Festival. 5:45 to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Watermelon cutting and contests and fun for the whole family. Music acts on the main stage are Tremayne and Velcro Pygmies on Friday and REWIND, Austin Bohannon and Colt Ford on Saturday. Franklincountychamber.org

To place an event, e-mail events@alabamaliving.coop. or visit www.alabamaliving.coop. You can also mail to Events Calendar, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124; Each submission must include a contact name and phone number. Deadline is two months prior to issue date. We regret that we cannot publish every event due to space limitations. Alabama Living on FBAlabama Living on Twitter @Alabama_Living instagram.com/alabamaliving