FOURTH FUN

10 patriotic things for kids this weekend

At a time when politics might divide us, give your kids a lesson in patriotism and an appreciation of our history as we cel

ebrate our country’s birthday. Here are 10 things you can do in and around Austin during the Fourth of July week.

1. Go big. Gather with thousands of your closest friends at Vic Mathias Shores to hear the Austin Symphony Orchestra perform, then see the skies over downtown Austin light up with fireworks. H-E-B Austin Symphony July Fourth Concert and Fireworks, 8:30 p.m. July 4. Free. Vic Mathias Shores. austinsymphony.org 2. Go small. Watch your neighborhood Fourth of

July parade, or, better yet, decorate your bike, stroller or wagon and join in. Several Central Texas small towns also have parades. The Red, White

&Buda parade starts at 9 a.m. on Main Street; follow-up activities happen in the greenbelt near the library, and fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. at the Buda Sportsplex. In Georgetown,

the parade begins at 11 a.m. in San Gabriel Park. At night, the fireworks happen at 9:30 p.m. 3. Take in state history. The Bullock Museum offers many patriotic events next week. Kick things off with Free First Sunday with the theme

Stars & Stripes, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. You’ll hear from the author of the book “W is for Weird: An Austin Alphabet,” learn about voting from

AMERICAN-STATESMAN 2017 Adrienne Brammer helps her nieces Lily, left, and Adrianna with their flags during the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” before the fireworks show over Lady Bird Lake last year.

AMERICAN STATESMAN 2012 Madelyn Padilla-Harris, 4, waits to ride her decorated scooter in the 2012 Georgetown Fourth of July Hometown Parade.

Nicole Villalpando Raising Austin