With the Fourth of July on Thursday, Harlan County is booming with preparation for upcoming activities and celebration. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate this monumental day in American history, the annual Fourth of July Fest will once again take place in downtown Harlan on July 4 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The festival, hosted by Harlan Tourism and sponsored by Don’s Super Saver, will kick off at the Harlan Center at 9 a.m. with the Red, White & Zoom! 5K. Participants can pre-register for $15 by July 3 or pay $20 on the day of the race (no T-shirt guarantee). The race is timed and medals will be awarded in different age divisions, including 12 and under, 13-18, 19-29, 30-39 and 40 and up, for both male and female. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Harlan County High School track team.

Harlan Tourism directors also announced the Fun Filled Fourth Fest Parade taking place in downtown Harlan. There is no entry fee to participate in the parade and all organizations are welcome to join. The parade will be following the same route as last year, featuring both floats and a kids wagon parade.

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. with line up at 4 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded for the following categories: Best Kids Wagon ($50); Most Patriotic ($50); Best Theme ($50); Harlan Tourism Award ($100); Grand Prize ($250).

The celebration will also include live music, vendors (open at 4 p.m.), food and fireworks. Fireworks will be shot from the same place as last year, so the best views will be from downtown Harlan around the Harlan Center.

For more information on Harlan Tourism’s Fourth of July Fest, call the Harlan Center at 606-573-4156.

Other Fourth of July events:

• The city of Cumberland will celebrate Independence Day beginning at 7 p.m. on July 3 with a band, Big Daddy and the Heat, and vendors at the gazebo in downtown. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. For more information, call 606-589-5812;

• The Evarts Fourth of July celebration will be held on July 4 starting at 2 p.m. with a beauty pageant. The Honor Guard will then kick off the second annual “T.J. Strong Block Party” at 4 p.m. Those in attendance will be able to participate in games, inflatables/water slides, corn hole tournaments, slime station, face painting, train rides and more. Free food and drinks will also be provided. The parade will line up at 6:30 p.m. behind Evarts High School and will begin at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dark or 9:30 p.m. behind Dairy Hut. For more information, call Evarts City Hall at 606-837-2477;

• The Lynch Fourth of July Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on July 4 with line up from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Lynch Church of God. The parade will head west and end at West Main Park with a brief patriotic ceremony, trophy presentation, free water, hot dogs and watermelon (while supplies last).