The long Fourth of July weekend is loaded with concerts, carnivals, parades and, especially, fireworks. Here is a sampling of some of the big events from the traditional Boston Pops concert to the Bristol, R.I. parade:

Boston

The 2005 Boston Pops Fourthof-July concert at the Hatch Shell will feature singer Gretchen Wilson, country music sensations Big & Rich and Cowboy Troy, the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus, and the winner of this year's POPSearch 2005 talent competition.

Wilson, Big & Rich, and Cowboy Troy will join Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for the world premiere of a new patriotic song, `` Our America.'' This year's celebration includes performances of several selections from the orchestra's new recording, `` America,'' including `` God Bless America,'' and `` Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy.'' The U.S. Army Band and Soldiers Chorus join the Pops for several pieces, including a Patriotic Sing-Along.

The concert will conclude with the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus joining Lockhart and the orchestra for Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and the concert will climax with the orchestra's signature performance of Sousa's `` The Stars and Stripes Forever!'' kicking off a 30-minute fireworks spectacular over the Charles River. The MBTA commuter trains will run on a Saturday schedule, with the last South Attleboro and Franklin trains scheduled to leave Boston around 11:45 p.m. (or 45 minutes after end of fireworks display).

Canton

On Monday, at 10 p.m., the town of Canton will offer a second weekend fireworks display, billed as the largest display in Southern New England. The display will be held at the Irish Cultural Center, at 200 New Boston Drive, off Route 138. The event will include live music by the Reminiscents.

The town will also offer other activities from Saturday through Sunday during its 25th Annual Fourth of July Celebration. The three-day celebration will include carnival rides, acrobats, jugglers, clowns, trapeze artists and a petting zoo, in addition to live music. Food courts and beverage tents will also be set up throughout the grounds.

The celebration begins on Saturday, July 2 at 7 p.m. with music by the Ann Marie Collins Band, followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. On Sunday, July 3, the event starts at 6 p.m. and features live music by the John Connors Band. (781-821-5000)

Dartmouth

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, the Town of Dartmouth and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra will join July 1 in presenting a fireworks display and pops concert to kick off Independence Day weekend.

The concert, which will take place on the UMD campus quadrangle, will begin at 6 p.m. with jazz/world music/progressive rock band Planet Groove. At 7:45 p.m., the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra will take the stage and feature great American music. At 9:30 p.m. the symphony will perform the 1812 Overture in unison with the launching of the fireworks.

Visitors can arrive any time after 5 p.m. and are encouraged to bring along picnic suppers, lawn chairs, bug spray, and blankets. Concession stands and vendors will have a variety of foods for sale. This community celebration is family-oriented and alcohol-free. (508-999-8000)

Franklin Franklin will hold a Fourth of July Celebration from June 30 through July 4 on the town common. One of the features of the five-day event will be a carnival, which will be open 6-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. There will also be a road race at 10 a.m. Satur day, live entertainment on the common throughout the day on Saturday, and a fireworks display at 10 p.m. Sunday, to be launched from beside the high school. (508-520-4949)

Seekonk

On Sunday, Seekonk Speedway will have a fireworks display after dusk, during the evening's regular events. Seekonk Speedway will have a fireworks display after dusk, during the evening's regular events on Sunday, Sept. 4.

Sharon

Sharon will celebrate the Fourth of July on Sunday with a family day of events that begins at 2 p.m. at Memorial Park Beach, with field events, award ribbons and free ice cream. At the boat launch area of Memorial Park Beach, there will be a bicycle and doll carriage parade at 4 p.m. From 4-9:30, on the main beach area, there will be a lakeside celebration, with musical entertainment, clowns, concession stands, pony rides and carnival rides, with a bandstand concert from 7-9 p.m. The fireworks display will be launched over Lake Massapoag at 9:30 p.m. (781-784-1530)

Walpole

The town's annual Night Before The Fourth fireworks display goes off Sunday in the town center at 9 p.m. Music and best viewing at Stone Field behind town hall on School Street.

Bristol, R.I.

On Sunday, at 10 p.m., the town of Bristol will have its annual fireworks display over Bristol Harbor. On Monday, the town will also present its 220th annual Bristol Civic, Military and Fireman's Parade at 10:30 a.m. from the corner of Chest nut Street and Hope Street (Route 114). Visit www.july4thbristolri.com.

Cumberland, R.I.

The Arnold Mills July 4th events Monday feature Shriner's marchers, a road race and concert on the village green. Race at 9 a.m. Parade at 11 a.m. Musical concert at 1 p.m. Nate Whipple Highway (Route 120). (401-334-9996)

Glocester, R.I.

On Friday, the town of Glocester holds its Independence Concert & Fireworks beginning at 7 p.m. in Glocester Memorial Park, Adelaide Road (off Route 44), Chepachet, R.I. (Rain date: Saturday.) On Monday, at 11 a.m., the town will begin its Annual Ancient & Horribles parade, with costumed marchers, through Chepachet village.

Pawtucket

The Pawtucket Red Sox will present fireworks displays following each of their games at McCoy Stadium on Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings, July 2-4.

Providence

The city is bringing back fireworks this year, planning a display of pyrotechnics accompanied by patriotic music over Station Park, across from Provi dence Place Mall downtown, on Sunday at 9 p.m.

Smithfield, R.I.

Smithfield offers a night of food, music and colorful fireworks on Sunday. Free events feature a concert at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks display at 9 p.m. at Deerfield Park Pavilion on Pleasant View Avenue, Route 116. Rain date, July 5. (401-233-1051).

Woonsocket, R.I.

Sunday, the town of Woonsocket will host a live concert from 6 to 9 p.m., with the Vini Ames & Sh-Bop Band, followed at 9:15 p.m. by a fireworks display at World War II Park on Social Street. Rain date is Tuesday, July 5. (401-762-6400)