CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It won't be a traditional Fourth of July weekend this year, with the holiday falling smack dab in the middle of the week.

But maybe that's a good excuse to keep the celebration of America's 236th birthday going all week.

You can start tonight (if you haven't already) by heading to Public Square for the Cleveland Orchestra's free Star-Spangled Spectacular. A music festival starts at 5 p.m., and the orchestra concert will begin at 9 p.m., with a fireworks display following, weather permitting.

The orchestra and conductor Jahja Ling will perform American favorites such as "America the Beautiful" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever" as well as Tchaikovsky's "1812" Overture. Soprano Janice Chandler-Eteme will perform as soloist in "Summertime" from Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess."

If you are a traditionalist and like your fireworks on the actual holiday, plenty of communities in Northeast Ohio will host displays on Wednesday.

Cleveland's fireworks show begins about 10 p.m., and you can view it from Edgewater Park, Kirtland Park, Whiskey Island, Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica and Settlers Landing in the Flats.

Settlers Landing is the site of the Family Fun Fest that leads up to the fireworks. The festival kicks off at 7 p.m. and includes music, food and nostalgic items from the former Euclid Beach amusement park.

If you think that no Fourth of July celebration is complete without a slab of ribs covered in barbecue sauce, grab a napkin and a hearty appetite and head to Akron's three-day Rib, White and Blue Festival. The free festival, which also includes rides and music, begins at 11 a.m. today at Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., and continues through Wednesday with a fireworks finale.

And of course, there is no shortage of parades and community festivals, each with its own special flavor.

JULY FOURTH EVENTS

Communities across Northeast Ohio are hosting a number of events and activities to celebrate Independence Day. Fireworks, parades and plenty of entertainment will keep the entire family happy during our country's 236th birthday party.

Here's a list of holiday events to help you celebrate.

MONDAY

Akron: The three-day Rib, White and Blue Festival begins at 11 a.m. at Lock 3, 200 S. Main St. Rib cook-off, music, rides and more.

Bay Village: Bay Village Community Band Concert at 7 p.m. at Cahoon Park Gazebo.

Cleveland: The Cleveland Orchestra holds its free Star-Spangled Spectacular on Public Square. The festival starts at 5 p.m. and the concert at 9 p.m. Fireworks will follow the concert.

TUESDAY

Akron: The Rib, White and Blue Festival begins at 11 a.m. at Lock 3, 200 S. Main St. Rib cook-off, music, rides and more.

Bratenahl: Fireworks show at dusk at the Village Park. Rain date July 5.

Brunswick: Patriot Days will be at the Brunswick Community Recreation and Fitness Center. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy the pool, Sno-Kones and DJ; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the Brunswick Community Band; and at 10 p.m. fireworks (rain date July 5).

Chardon: Fireworks display at 10 p.m. between Chardon High School and Middle School.

Cuyahoga Falls: Blossom Festival at the Blossom Music Center. The Cleveland Orchestra, led by conductor Jahja Ling, with Inon Barnatan on piano, will perform the "America the Beautiful" concert at 8 p.m. Fireworks will follow the concert if weather permits.

Hudson: Fireworks show begins at dusk at the Barlow Farm Park.

Independence: Fireworks at 10 p.m. at Elmwood Park. Rain date July 5.

Medina: Fireworks Festival from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Medina Community Recreation Center. Fireworks display begins at 10 p.m.

North Ridgeville: Independence Day Celebration at Victory Sports Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. Party begins at 7 p.m. and includes food, music, a bounce house and more. Fireworks at dusk. Admission is free.

Wadsworth: Fireworks at Memorial Park at dusk. Rain date July 5.

WEDNESDAY

Akron: Last day for the Rib, White and Blue Festival, which begins at 11 a.m. at Lock 3, 200 S. Main St. Rib cook-off, music, rides and more.

Bay Village: Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. at Cahoon Park. Rain date July 5.

Bedford: Fourth of July parade starting at 10 a.m. at Columbus Road and Washington Street.

Berea: The Grindstone Festival will be held from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Coe Lake behind City Hall. Games, music and more. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. at Coe Lake.

Chardon: Old Glory Day Parade, music and games at Chardon Square. Bike-decorating clinic starts at 1:30 p.m. Parade the Square and music from band 730 Club at 2 p.m. and games at 2:30 p.m.

Chesterland: Independence Day Parade at 11 a.m. beginning at St. Anselm Church on Ohio 306. Judging for the float contest begins at 9:30 a.m.

Cleveland: The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority hosts the Family Fun Fest at 7 p.m. at the Waterfront Line's Settlers Landing station. Music, fireworks, food and more. The Cleveland Fireworks Display begins at about 10 p.m. Best places to take in the fireworks show are Edgewater and Kirtland parks, Whiskey Island and Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica.

Chippewa Lake: Parade begins at 1 p.m. at the Gloria Glens Town Hall. The Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show, followed by the Cardboard Boat Race, starts at 5:30 p.m. at Chippewa Lake Beach.

Cuyahoga Falls: The Blossom Music Center's "Salute to America" concert with the Blossom Festival Band at 8 p.m. Fireworks will follow the concert if weather permits.

Eastlake: Fireworks at the Lake County Captains Classic Park. Gates open at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 10 p.m. Concessions and booths from various nonprofit, civic and sporting groups will be open. Parking is free.

Fairlawn: Parade at 6:30 p.m., from Fairlawn Plaza to Summit Mall.

Fairview Park: The Fairview Park Community Band will perform at 10:30 a.m. at the Bain Park Gazebo, 21077 North Park Drive. Free.

Gates Mills: Parade at 11 a.m. beginning at the Town Center.

Kirtland: Food and dancing at the polka party from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the SNPJ Farm, 10946 Heath Road in Kirtland. Featured guests include Del Sinchak Band from Youngstown and the Eddie Rodick "King of Cleveland" band. For more information Call Val the "Polka Gal" Pawlowski at 440-286-1786 or 330-318-3004.

Lakewood: Parade at 10 a.m. starting on Lake Avenue. The Lakewood Project (see video) will perform at 7 p.m. Fireworks at dusk at Lakewood Park.

Medina: The YWCA Twin Sizzler Race starts at 6 a.m. The parade starts at 6 p.m. at the Medina High School parking lot. The Kiwanis Ice Cream Social will be from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the Medina Community Band will perform at 8:30 p.m. Both the social and performance will be on the square.

Mentor: Fireworks begin at 9:50 p.m. The show can be viewed from Mentor High School and Civic Center Park.

Oberlin: Fireworks at dusk at the Hamilton Recreation Complex.

Shaker Heights: Fireworks at dusk at Shaker Heights Middle School.

Solon: Fireworks display at dusk at the Solon Community Park on SOM Center Road.

Spencer: Village and township residents, ages 16 and under, can come out to the Fishing Derby from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Spencer Reservoir. The parade starts at 4 p.m. at the police station and there will be a fireworks display at dusk at Firestone Park.

Strongsville: Fireworks show at dusk at the Foltz Athletic Fields on Foltz Parkway.

Wadsworth: Independence Day Concert at 7 p.m. at the Wadsworth Community Bank.

Wickliffe: Fireworks at dusk at Coulby Park on Ridge Road.

Willoughby: Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. at South High School.

Valley City: A parade begins at 10 a.m. at the depot on Center Road and ends at Mill Stream Park. At the park, following the parade, there will be an Antique Car Show and kids games. There will also be a fireworks display at the park at dusk.

THURSDAY

Berea: The Grindstone Festival will be held from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Coe Lake behind City Hall. Games, music and more. Parade at 7 p.m. in downtown Berea. The movie "Big Miracle" will be shown at Coe Lake.

JULY 6

Berea: The Grindstone Festival will be from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Coe Lake behind City Hall. Games, music and more. The St. Ignatius High School Circus Co. will perform from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kids DJ from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.