The cities of Selma, Valley Grande and Orrville are making final preparations for fireworks shows to celebrate Independence Day.

In Selma, the celebration will begin at 4:30 p.m. for veterans and their immediate families with a special small cookout in their honor.

At 5:30 p.m., the gates at Memorial Stadium will open to everyone to enjoy music and light entertainment.

Councilwoman Susan Youngblood helped organize this year’s event and said the theme is “The Land of the Free Because of the Brave: Honoring Our Veterans,” and honoring veterans is exactly what she has plans to do.

“The Fourth of July, we usually have a program and people sing songs, etc., but we felt like this year we really needed to pay homage to our veterans,” Youngblood said. “That’s what it’s about. It’s about honoring our veterans. We just need to ensure that are veterans understand that they are appreciated.”

A little while after 6 p.m., the veterans will be lined up and recognized for the sacrifices that they have made for the country.

Youngblood said it’s also important the city honors the families of the veterans.

“One of the things that we really don’t think enough about is the family of the veterans,” she said. “We want to acknowledge that we realize that they are all undergoing changes [too].”

The fireworks will begin at first dark and Youngblood said she is hoping for a large crowd.

“We hope everybody comes out and enjoys the fireworks and helps us honor the veterans,” she said. “This is a great time for people to see people that they don’t get to see very often.”

In Orrville, the town will be getting together from 5-8 p.m. for a free barbecue with chicken, ribs, hotdogs, hamburgers and more.

Orrville Mayor Louvenia Lumpkin said she is excited for the event and to see everyone come out and have a good time.

“I am very excited. We had a great turnout last year, and we’re expecting more people to come this year,” Lumpkin said. “We’re just asking the community to come out tomorrow and celebrate as a community.”

There will be a bike parade, a water slide and more and the fireworks are set to start at 8:30 p.m. at the Orrville Community Center.

In Valley Grande, Mayor Matt Dobbs said they will only be having fireworks this year, but they will be even better than before. The fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. at Valley Grande City Park.