Jackson Free Press

2019 Balloon Glow

The City of Ridgeland will host its annual Celebrate America Balloon Glow from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Northpark (1200 E. County Line Road). The Balloon Glow serves as the opening event of the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Race and Festival in Canton. The event will include live musicfrom Phil Vassar and Burnham Road, food vendors and a children's carnival at Northpark, and a fireworks show at the end of the evening. The Balloon Glow is free and open to the public. For more information, find the event on Facebook.

2019 Farm Bureau Watermelon Classic

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum (1152 Lakeland Dr.) will host the annual Farm Bureau Watermelon Classic from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, July 4. The event includes a 5K walk and run and a one-mile fun run that Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi hosts.

Admission is $25 for the 5K events run and walk, which begin consecutively at 7:30 a.m., and $15 for the fun run, which begins at 8:45 a.m.

There will be two water stations on the course, and all participants will receive watermelon and beverages after the race. Pets are not allowed, but participants can bring strollers as long as they start at the back of the pack. The event will also feature prizes for the participant with the best costume in each race.

For more information or to register for the event, call 601-982-8264 or visit msfame.com/2019watermelon/ or runsignup.com.

Independence Celebration on the Rez

The ninth annual Independence Celebration on the Rez will take place on Saturday, June 29, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lakeshore Park in Brandon. The event will include a "Fenders and Fireworks" classic car show, live music from DJ JDHollywood, food and drink vendors, a beer garden at Old Trace Park, a vintage military warplane flyover and a fireworks show. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit ridgelandms.org or find the event on Facebook.

Red, White and Blue at the Zoo

On July 4, the Jackson Zoo will offer $4 admission to visitors wearing red, white and blue as part of their clothing or hair. Participants must be wearing all three colors to qualify for the promotion. The event will also feature food from Dippin' Dots, Twisted Pretzel and Brick Street Pops. Visitors age 21 or older can also purchase wristbands for $7 to sample craft beers from LD's Beer Run at the zoo's cafe.

Customers can also use their receipt from the event for a 15-percent discount at Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint, Broad Street Baking Company or BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar. Zoo membership holders can get the discount at The Iron Horse Grill, Brent's Drugs, Barrelhouse and The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen.

For more information, visit jacksonzoo.org or find the event on Facebook.

Red, White and U 4th of July Reunion After Party

Freelons Da Groove (440 N. Mill St.) will host its "Red, White and U 4th of July Reunion After Party" from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The event will have no cover charge before 11:30 p.m. After 11:30 p.m., the cover charge will be between $10-$20, depending on crowd size. Freelons will also sell $2 beers until 11:30 p.m.

Current and former members of the U.S. military will get in free all night.

VIP tables for six with a complementary bottle of wine are available for $175. Customers can also purchase advance tickets for $15 to get in without waiting in line. To order VIP tables or advance tickets, call 769-300-5303.

For more information, call 601-949-2535 or find the event on Facebook.

Family Fireworks Extravaganza

On Thursday, July 4, the City of Clinton will host the Family Fireworks Extravaganza at Traceway Park (328 Cynthia Road) in Clinton. Hannah Belle and Bishop Gunn will perform during the event. Admission is free, but parking is $10. For more information, find the event on Facebook.

4th of July at the Outlets

The Outlets of Mississippi (200 Bass Pro Drive, Pearl) will host a Fourth of July celebration at the mall on Thursday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will include face painting, live music from Pearl Jamz, a baby alligator expo from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, a bounce house and more. For more information, find the event on Facebook.

After the celebration, the Mississippi Braves will play against the Biloxi Shuckers at Trustmark Park (One Braves Way, Pearl) starting at 6:35 p.m. For more information, visit mississippibraves.com or find the team on Facebook.

4th of July Cookout

The Club at The Township (340 Township Ave., Ridgeland) will host an Independence Day cookout on Thursday, July 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will have hamburgers, hotdogs, live music and free beer. For more information, find the event on Facebook.

Fourth of July Fireworks

On Thursday, July 4, the City of Madison will host an Independence Day celebration from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event will have food trucks such as 30 Below Rolled Ice Cream, Burgers & Blues and Tacqueria La Reata, and the fireworks begin at 9 p.m. For more information, find the event on Facebook.

Pre-Fourth of July Celebration

ISH (5105 Interstate 55 N.) will have a pre-Independence Day celebration on Wednesday, July 3, at 5 p.m. The event will have performances from Monica Shepherd, Malcolm Shepherd and Tamara Tate. There is no cover charge, and ISH will also have $5 martinis all day.

Add more at jacksonfreepress.com/july42019.