Listen: Your Favorite Songs for 4th of July Festivities

We asked you to submit your favorite patriotic tunes and created a Spotify playlist.

Happy 4th of July! Whether you plan to celebrate America's freedom by watching a parade or two, having a cookout, oohing and ahhing at fireworks or just hanging out by the pool, we wanted to make sure you had the soundtrack for it. Last week, we asked you to submit your favorite patriotic songs. We compiled them into a Spotify playlist and now we're giving it back to you. Note: To listen to the playlist, you must be a Spotify user. To play, click the "Play" button at the top of the list and it should launch your Spotify application. If the playlist doesn't load, try clicking "Play" with Spotify already open. Happy listening and have a great holiday!

•  4 Comments
• Photos (2)

Grass Fires Already a Problem, and 4th of July Fireworks Loom

If the kids are going to burn sparklers, make sure they don't toss them on the lawn, fire department says

On Saturday, someone riding a motorcycle was seen throwing a smoke bomb near SouthPark Mall about 6 p.m. Within minutes, the grass was on fire. The fire department was called to put out the blaze, which burned at least 200 feet of grass on a hillside, a report said. This year, the danger of backyard fireworks goes beyond personal injury. With the drought-like conditions, a spark is apt to easily set the dry, crispy grass on fire -- and the culprit could face an arson charge. "People need to just use common sense," Detective Lt. John Janowski said. "With as dry as it's been, nobody should be doing any kind of fireworks right now." Still, at least six fireworks complaints came in Saturday night -- from Willow Circle, Jonathan Drive, North …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Fourth of July Fireworks Guide and Interactive Map

Patch wants to help you get ready for fireworks this Fourth of July. Check out our interactive map and get info on all the shows in Northeast Ohio.

Fireworks fans, have we got a guide for you! With the Fourth of July holiday fast approaching, Patch has compiled a guide with information on the fireworks shows going on across Northeast Ohio. From Avon to Mentor, and down to North Canton, we've got you covered for Independence Day. So check out our interactive map to find a show near you, or see a list of the shows below. Their sorted by date, with the first shows on June 30 and the latest on July 7. Did we miss any good shows? Tell us in the comments so we can add it to the map! Happy Fourth of July from Patch. Enjoy the fireworks! BRECKSVILLE When: June 30 Where: The fireworks can be seen from downtown (Public Square, intersection of Brecksville Road and state Route 82) Time: About 10 …

•  11 Comments
• Photos (1)

Priscilla Smith

12:40 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Okay, thanks. For anyone who wants to know, in downtown Akron on July 4th, the Akron Symphony plays in Lock 3 followed by fireworks. There are also great fireworks at Portage Country Club on the 4th and they let the public in for free to see them.   more ›

City will Host July 4 Fireworks Again

Businesses donate cost of annual display

The city will again host a Fourth of July fireworks show thanks to contributions from Strongsville businesses, Mayor Tom Perciak said. "The entire cost is borne by the business community," the mayor said. Perciak announced Monday that enough money has been donated to host the show, which will take place at dusk July 4 at the athletic fields on Foltz Parkway. The mayor urged those attending to heed the orders of police officers directing traffic and to be patient when driving to and from the show.

• Photos (1)

Fireworks are Tonight at Dusk

Display is at recreation fields on Foltz Parkway

Don't forget -- Strongsville's fireworks display starts at dusk tonight from the athletic fields on Foltz Parkway, next to the city service garage. If it rains, the show will be tomorrow night. The Ehrnfelt Recreation Center is closed all day today for the Fourth of July holiday.

• Photos (4)

5 Thing You Need to Know this Weekend

Fireworks, parties and meetings

1. Fireworks in Strongsville are at dusk on Monday, July 4 at the recreation fields on Foltz Parkway. 2. If you can't see Strongsville's, or you really like fireworks, you can catch's Brunswick's show at 10 p.m. Sunday, July 3 at Brunswick High School, 3581 Center Road (Route 303). 3. The Ehrnfelt Recreation Center will be closed all day Monday for the holiday. 4. Monday's regular City Council meeting will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday instead at Mike Kalinich Sr. City Council Chambers. 5. The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be out in force over the weekend, looking for impaired drivers. Last Fourth of July holiday, troopers arrested 611 drivers for OVI from Friday, July 2 at midnight through midnight Monday, July 5. Troopers encourage the public to…

• Photos (1)

Krista's Kitchen

Celebrate Freedom with Cookies

Your friends and family will "oooh" and "ahhh" over these festive, star-shaped, lemon-nut cookies

Our household is gearing up for another fun-filled Fourth of July weekend! Year to year our activities seem to vary when celebrating the Fourth. Whether we spend the weekend camping, boating, travelling, watching a parade, snuggling under the fireworks, toasting marshmallows over a fire, (or a combination of all of those activities) one tradition remains constant: The Annual Fourth of July Weekend Cookout. There is always a cookout. Smoke rises from the grill, children run wild in the backyard, and an assortment favorite potluck dishes line the countertops. It just wouldn't feel like the Fourth of July without gathering with family and friends to celebrate our  country's Independence Day.   For the last couple of years, we have hosted the …

• Photos (5)

Fireworks are July 4 in Strongsville, July 3 Next Door

If you love the patriotic displays, you can see two shows

Strongsville's annual Fourth of July fireworks show is set for dusk on Monday, July 4 at the Foltz athletic fields on Foltz Parkway, next to the city service center. Rain date is July 5. In neighboring Brunswick, fireworks are set for July 3. The show starts at 10 p.m. from Brunswick High School, 3643 Center Rd. Brunswick also has a Patriot Party on July 3, starting at 7 p.m. at the city's Recreation Center, 3637 Center Rd., that features a performance by the Brunswick Community Band. All city offices and the Ehrnfelt Recreation Center will be closed on Monday, July 4.

• Photos (1)