Fort Dodge will celebrate tonight with a free concert and fireworks.

Big events are planned in Gowrie and in Williams in Hamilton County.

Gowrie

On Saturday, a whole day of fun activities is planned for families to attend.

From 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., the Gowrie Fire Department will hold its pancake breakfast. At 7:30 a.m., the Freedom 5K Run/Walk will take place at the football field. There will also be a craft fair at the Gowrie City Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The centerpiece of the town’s Independence Day celebration, Gowrie’s Fourth of July Parade, will begin at 10 a.m. Each year, the parade draws thousands of visitors from all over the state and is one of the longest running parades in Iowa.

The rest of the day will consist of Gowrie United Methodist Church’s annual chicken dinner and the Freedom Cruise Car Show at Laurel Park, 1214 Pleasant St. The Freedom Cruise Car Show has been happening in Laurel Park since 1992 with car lovers, families, and community members coming to support the patriotic event each year.

The carnival will be open all day following the parade.

The Gowrie Depot Historical Museum by Laurel Park will be open from noon to 4 p.m.

To end the night, fireworks — provided by the community can donations and Gowrie Fire Department — will be shot off.

Fort Dodge

A fireworks display will be presented by Fort Frenzy, 3232 First Ave. S., tonight.

The event will begin at 4 p.m. with live music. Clint Riedel, Jive for Five and Jesse Wilson & Friends will perform.

Fireworks will begin after dark.

Williams

The festivities in Williams actually begin today with the Kids Parade starting at 6 p.m.

Following the parade, there will be a free meal and kickball games for children ages 4-7, and 8 through 12 years old.

On Saturday, the parade begins at 10 a.m.; all entries must be registered by 9:30 a.m. The parade will begin with the colors presented by American Legion Post 633. The grand marshals of the parade will be Bob and Linda Solberg. One of the parade highlights will be the Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa, which will be in the parade for the second year.

Activities after the parade will be centered around the city park, with lunch served by community churches in the shelter. There will be the Lions Bingo and a Cake Walk starting shortly after the end of the parade. Games, a train ride and moonwalks will all be provided for kids to enjoy.

There will be foot races in the park, and music in the Gazebo. In addition to the Mackenzie Highlanders, there will also be music performed by the Ron Smith Band.

The Hamilton County Crime Stoppers will provide a free nickel scramble in the park at 1 p.m., and the Little Princess program will be held at 1:30.

At the end of the afternoon, as a special tribute to the 250th Celebration, the Williams Lions Club is sponsoring a free concert from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Williams ball diamond. The Cheesy Smoker food truck will be on hand to provide food.

The 250th celebration will be capped off with a gigantic fireworks display near the ball diamond that will begin at about 9:45 p.m.