Family-friendly ways to celebrate July Fourth

Before fireworks start, kids’ options abound.

Look inside for your guide to parades, fireworks, sports and the AJC Peachtree Road Race.

Metro Atlanta offers many fun family-friendly ways to celebrate Independence Day.

From parades and fireworks to pool parties, sporting events, and of course, The AJC Peachtree Road Race, the Fourth of July is a day filled with special events.

Here’s a look at seven fabulous ways families can enjoy the day.

An Atlanta Braves game

On July 4, the Atlanta Braves will h ost the Houston Astros in

a home game at SunTrust Park with a 7:35 p.m. opening pitch. With the game falling on Independence Day, the game experience with be awash with patriotic elements. A pregame ceremony will feature a video about the history of the Declaration of Independence. There will be a presentation of an American flag in the shape of the United States, held by members of the military, and a 13-gun salute will celebrate the first 13 Colonies. Hometown heroes (those in the community recently honored by the Atlanta Braves) also will be recognized during the game. And yes, there will be postgame fireworks.

Atlanta Braves, SunTrust Park, 755 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta. www.mlb.com/braves.

An MLS soccer game

Celebrate the day with Atlanta United FC as they take on the San Jose Earthquakes in this MLS matchup at Bobby Dodd Stadium at 7 p.m.

Bobby Dodd Stadium at Grant Field, 142 North Ave., Atlanta. www.atlutd.com/ schedule.

Mall of Georgia’s 15th annual Star Spangled Fourth event

The Mall of Georgia in Buford will set off what it is calling “Gwinnett’s grandest fireworks display” after an evening of Independence Day festivities. The 15th annual Star Spangled Fourth celebration will feature live music, a kids play area and a screening of “The Lego Batman Movie.” It’s all free.

The “Kids Zone” will feature children’s rides and inflatable attractions. The Woodys will open the night’s live music program, playing from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by A1A (the Original and Official Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show), playing from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available throughout the night. After A1A’s set concludes, the band’s lead singer, Jeff Pike, will perform the national anthem. The fireworks extravaganza will light up the sky immediately afterward at about 9:30 p.m.

The night will come to a close with a screening of “The Lego Batman Movie” (after the fireworks display), which will be shown on a 70-foot screen in the parking lot across from Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678482-8788, www.simon.com/ mall/mall-of-georgia/about.

Downtown Covington’s Stars and Stripes Fest 2017

Live entertainment and activities for kids including a rock wall, zip line, large inflatables and bubbles will start at 2:30 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m.

Sponsored by Main Street Covington and the city of Covington, the event will feature performances by Jorge Alvarez followed by the Old Soles, Raymond Hamonds, the Newton County Community Band, Grassville & Johnny Roquemore, and Amy Rae. Admission to the event is free, and some of the activities require a small fee. At 4 p.m., there will be a Golf Cart Parade around the Square benefiting the Newton County Special Olympics Equestrian Team. You can also light the night with one of the Southeast’s largest firework displays starting at 9:30 p.m. For more information or updates, follow Main Street Covington

Coca-Cola July 4th Fest at Six Flags Over Georgia

10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. July 2-4. $50.99-$52.99 when purchased online. More at the gate. Go to the website for special admission info.

Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell. 770-739-3400, www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race

This is the 48th year for our city’s famous 10k, drawing thousands of participants, volunteers and spectators to Atlanta. The course runs from Buckhead to Piedmont Park, with wheelchair racers starting at 6:43 a.m. and the main start at 7:30 a.m. in waves of racers. You and your family can be among the 150,000 spectators cheering on the 60,000 participants in the country’s largest road race. The AJC Peachtree Road Race takes place along a route that begins at Peachtree Road at Lenox Square mall and ends at Piedmont Park. For more info, go to www.ajc.com/ peachtree.

Callaway Gardens July 4th Spangled Beach Party

If you are looking for a getaway from the city, consider Callaway’s July Fourth celebration, which begins early and lasts well into the night at an annual beach party at Robin Lake Beach. Highlights include beach activities, live music — headlined by the Swingin’ Medallions, the FSU Flying High Circus and a fireworks extravaganza.

$30 for adults, $15 for adults and free for children 5 and under. Half-price for those with annual passes. Free for overnight guests staying at a Callaway property. Tickets are available at the gate the day of the event.

17800 U.S. 27, Pine Mountain. 1-800-225-5292, www. callawaygardens.com. on Facebook.

2101 Clark St., Covington. 770-385-2077, www.facebook.com/downtowncovingtonga/.

HENRY TAYLOR / HENRY.TAYLOR@AJC.COM Simon Bryan catches a ball thrown by another Braves fan, Jayden Obregon, at the Atlanta Braves’ opening game April 14 at SunTrust Park in Cobb County. The Braves have lots of festivities planned for their Fourth of July home game, including fireworks.

HENRY TAYLOR / HENRY.TAYLOR@AJC.COM In this photo from the opening game at SunTrust Park, fans watch as the Atlanta Braves Heavy Hitters Drumline performs. The July Fourth game against the Houston Astros also will include patriotic elements and fireworks.

CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM Reg and Paula Barnes, dressed as Uncle Sam and Betsy Ross, arrive to hold the finish line tape for the 2016 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race at Piedmont Park.