With a theme of "Honoring Your Local Heroes," the Fourth of July Steering Committee and the City of Friendswood will start the 121st Fourth of July celebration with a 10 a.m. parade featuring more than 100 entries.

The grand marshal is Dick Daugird, co-founder of the Lighthouse Charity Cooking Team. The team received recognition for serving food to first responders and dislocated residents after Hurricane Ike. More recently, it assisted at the Rotary Club of Galveston's crawfish boil.

The City of Friendswood 4th of July Steering Committee selects the grand marshal, said Jeff Newpher, city of Friendswood communications specialist.

"Mr. Daugird was selected for both his work with the Lighthouse Charity Cooking Team and also his many decades of service to the community," explained Newpher.

Daugird and his wife, Horacene, established the nonprofit Lighthouse Charity Team 32 years ago in Friendswood, starting as a host for a Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon. It grew as it helped more and more charitable groups.

"For a little charity born in a small community, we've really grown. We had no idea it would get this big," said Daugird. The 250 volunteers are busy all year long, he said. "It comes from the heart and helps a lot of people."

Daugird, who will lead the parade in a Ford Mustang convertible, said he is surprised and humbled by his selection.

The parade will begin on FM 518 at Heritage Drive and conclude at Stevenson Park, 1100 South Friendswood Drive. At the park, families will find rides, games, food and entertainment until 3:30 p.m.

The celebration resumes at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Park, 2200 S. Friendswood Drive, where the band Decades will perform with concluding fireworks set to music at 9:20 p.m.

Visit http://www.ci.friendswood.tx.us/July-4th-Celebration/ or call the Parks and Recreation Department at 281-996-3220 for details.

Other communities also are planning Fourth of July celebrations. They include:

Alvin: Alvin Parks & Recreation will present a Fourth of July celebration at Bob Brisoe Park, 3625 Briscoe Drive. The community concert band will play at 7:30 p.m. The fireworks show will be at 9 p.m. Parking is available at Alvin Community College. Call 281-388-4299 for details.

Deer Park: On July 4, the Deer Park Parks and Recreation Department will hold the annual 4th Fest at the Jimmy Burke Activity Center, 500 W. 13th St. in Deer Park. The free event will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude with a 9:15 p.m. fireworks display.

The event will include an obstacle course, zip line and games, arts and crafts and concessions. Entertainment will include performances by the Skyline Band from 5-7 p.m. on the indoor stage, and Big Richard on the outdoor stage from 7:30-9:15 p.m.

Visit www.deerparktx.gov/fireworks for details.

Kemah: The Kids parade will start at 9:30 a.m. July 4 in the Kemah Lighthouse District followed by the main parade at 10 a.m. Parade staging will start at 9 a.m. at Sixth and Bradford. The parade theme is "Red, White & Kemah." A post-parade celebration will be at the Kemah Community Center, 800 Harris Ave. Email cneeley@kemah-tx.com for details.

Kemah Boardwalk: The Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave, features live music and 9:30 p.m. fireworks over Galveston Bay. Visit http://www.kemahboardwalk.com for details.

Pasadena: Celebrate the 4th of July at the Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway, from 4-10 p.m. The event will include a 20-minute fireworks show, live music, a car show, a kidzone, U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots BBQ Cook-off, games, prizes, vendors, water balloon war zone, sports and other entertainment. Call the Parks and Recreation Department at 713-475-7048 for information.

League City: Citizen Appreciation Day is planned from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 4 at League Park, 512 Second St. The annual event will feature a petting zoo, live entertainment, face-painting, moonwalks, food, snow cones, and cotton candy. Contact the League City Parks Recreation Department at 281-554-1180 for details.

Nassau Bay: The July Fourth Celebration will begin at noon for two hours of water wars as people do battle with water guns and hoses to soak their neighbors. Go to http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4caeab2fa02 to register.

The parade lineup will begin at 5:15 p.m. at Gloria Dei Church, 18220 Upper Bay Road. The parade will start at 6 p.m., go down San Sebastian to Point Lookout to Kingstreet to Martinique to Lake Nassau Park. Prizes will be awarded for parade entries, including best use of patriotic music, best use of red, white and blue and best support of military veterans.

The pie contest - open to all varieties - will begin at 6:15 p.m. with prizes for best overall, best taste and best presentation. Fireworks are scheduled at 9 p.m. Visit www.nassaubay.com for details.

Pearland: The Celebration of Freedom will be from 6-10 p.m. July 4th at Pearland High School Football stadium, 3775 S. Main St. Free admission. The evening will begin with a VFW military salute and the national anthem.

The Slags, the featured band, will perform on the H-E-B Entertainment stage. The Exchange Club of Pearland will give away free American flags. The evening concludes with fireworks at 9 p.m.

Free parking is available at Turner Career and College High School, 4719 Bailey Road, with a free shuttle to the event. Activities include strolling entertainment, craft and novelty vendors, "Backyard Bash" yard games, a children's area and food vendors. Call 281-412-8907 for information.

Seabrook: Rex Meador Park, 2100 Meyer Road, Seabrook, hosts Fourth of July events including a Kids Parade, free hot dogs and games from 10 a.m.-noon. Visit http://www.kemahboardwalk.com for details.

Webster: Texas Avenue Park, 17100 Texas Ave., will host the Fourth of July celebration starting at 5 p.m. featuring "A Salute to Veterans," bingo, entertainers, inflatables, concessions and games. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. Visit http://cityofwebster.com/

Galveston

Join the Galveston Beach Band every Tuesday this summer through Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. for a weekly outdoor summer pop band concert.

A special concert will be held on Sunday, July 3, in celebration of Independence Day. Every concert is free.

Frank Incaprera Jr. leads the Galveston Beach Band at the historic Eugenia and George Sealy Pavilion at Mary Moody Northern Plaza located at 24th and Sealy streets across from Rosenberg Library. Wooden bench seating is provided.

Special guest conductors and presenters make appearances all summer long. Call the City of Galveston's Parks and Recreation Department at 409-797-3700 or visit the Galveston Beach Band online at http://www.galvestonbeachband.org/.

Pearland

Pearland Town Center Pavilion hosts summer movie nights every other Saturday at 7:30 p.m. through Aug. 13.

Bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the atmosphere at the Memorial Hermann Pavilion.

The schedule is July 16 - "Zootopia," July 30 - "Cinderella" and Aug. 13 - "The Good Dinosaur."

Check for updates on the Pearland Town Center Facebook page.