Happy Fourth of July!

It's that special time of the summer when families, friends and former residents flock to their hometowns to celebrate Independence Day with parades, cookouts, fireworks, and backyard parties.

With the 2015 Fourth of July falling on a Saturday, it's sure to be a memorable weekend.

Few communities commemorate the Fourth of July with more spirit than the small towns of northeastern Minnesota, in which thousands of immigrants settled in the late 1800s and early 1900s to seek a better way of life.

Beyond parades and fireworks, there will be car shows, street dances, helicopter, pony and fire truck rides, obstacle courses, ice cream socials, costume judging, water balloon tossing, and good old-fashioned sack races.

Here's a list of Fourth of July celebrations in the area.

Check your community's website for more details.

Be safe. And enjoy!

Friday, July 3

6 p.m. - Aurora parade

7:30 p.m. - Gilbert parade

Dusk - Fireworks in Eveleth, Gilbert, Nashwauk

Saturday, July 4

8:30 a.m. - Buhl parade, games in the park after parade

9 a.m. - Virginia parade in Olcott Park

9:30 a.m. - Eveleth parade, kids games at Monroe Park after parade

9:30 a.m. - Mountain Iron parade, events at football field after parade

10:30 a.m. - Gilbert Kiddie parade

10 a.m. - Lake Leander/Lake 14 parade

11 a.m. - Side Lake parade

11 a.m. - Crosby-Ironton parade

11 a.m. - Tower parade, children's races on school field after parade

Noon - Nashwauk parade, races for all ages on Central Avenue at 2 p.m.

Noon - Aurora Children's parade

1 p.m. - Kinney parade, games following in park

1 p.m. - Ely parade

1 p.m. - Biwabik "patriotic" parade

1 p.m. - Keewatin Kiddie parade

1:30 p.m. - "Superheroes of Lake Vermilion" flotilla at BayView Lodge

2:00 p.m. - Keewatin Grand parade

7 p.m. - 118th anniversary Biwabik "Calathumpian" parade

8 p.m. - Grand Marais parade

Dusk - Fireworks in Aitkin, Crosby, Ely, Grand Marais, Grand Portage, Grand Rapids, Keewatin, Silver Bay, Tofte, Tower, Virginia

Pictured above: City of Gilbert employee Bruce Halik places an American flag on a street post in downtown Gilbert in preparation for the city Fourth of July celebration.