Kids and family events in Dallas-Fort Worth, June 28-July 4

It's already July, so it must be time for Fourth of July celebrations.

Why does it seem that just when we start enjoying summer it's almost over? It can't seriously be July already, can it? It is, and that can only mean one thing -- Fourth of July celebrations! But since the Fourth falls in the middle of the week this year, events will be a little more spread out than usual.

Fair Park Fourth

When you see flashes in the sky in Grapevine on Friday, you may wonder why they're jumping the gun on the 4th of July. But what's really happening is the weekly Friday Fireworks over Lake Grapevine, something that will continue the rest of the summer. Your best bet is to watch them from Oak Grove Park, where parking is free, but you can also pay $5 to watch at Meadowmere Park or Rockledge Park if you so wish.

Take a short break from celebrating the nation's birthday and clean your dog at the Spawlash Party on Saturday at the brand new Ten Bells Tavern in Dallas. It'll cost $10-$15 to have your pup pampered, but it goes toward a good cause: All proceeds will benefit Animal Rescue of Texas.

Fourth of July-themed events kick off on Saturday with the Allen USA Celebration at Celebration Park in Allen. The free event will feature a concert from '80s band The Bangles and a host of other festival activities. The Fort Worth Symphony will hold not one, not two, but three different Old-Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnics at Fort Worth Botanic Garden next Monday through Wednesday. Enjoy a bunch of classic and classical music followed by fireworks. If you love Addison's annual Kaboom Town, remember that they're holding it on Tuesday, July 3 this year instead of the Fourth. But just because it's a day early doesn't mean the fun will be any less at Addison Circle Park. For a big event actually on the Fourth, head out to Fair Park in Dallas for Fair Park Fourth. With the ability to sit anywhere on the Fair Park grounds to watch the fireworks show, you should have no problem getting a good view.