Community celebrations in Maple Valley and the Covington area will add to the festive air of Independence Day this Friday. Here’s what’s going on:

Where and when: Lake Wilderness Park, July 4

Fireworks show: At 10 p.m. Musical accompaniment by the Maple Valley Youth Symphony. The best place to watch will be near the beach house. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to reserve your preferred viewing location. Boats will be allowed on the lake – another good vantage point.

Arts and crafts: Starting after 4 p.m., free arts and crafts sponsored by Millennium Video and Security. Kids can choose among themed projects to take home, while supplies last.

Softball and other games: For the second year, the community softball game at 2 p.m.; for anyone over 13 years old. Slowpitch games will be on Patrick’s Field and coordinated by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, which will supply the balls and bats. Players should bring their own gloves. Also on tap will be traditional picnic games, including three-legged races and gunny sack races.

Raffle: Maple Valley Library Guild will be raffling off a quilt; tickets at the display tent.

Homemade pie baking contest: Men, women and children can enter their favorite fruit pie. Entries will be accepted at the pie contest tent near the beach house 4 to 6 p.m. No entry fees. Winners will receive gift certificates from local sponsoring merchants, including: Johnson’s Home and Garden, Marble Slab Creamery and Gloria’s Restaurant. Rules and details are available at www.maplevalleyparks.com or mark.ratcliffe@ci.maple-valley.wa.us

Food and drink: Pack your own picnic, or buy grilled hamburgers and hot dogs from Maple Valley Junior Football and Cheer. Other food and concessions will also be available for purchase.

Parking, access: Walk to the park if possible and bring flashlights for going home following the fireworks show. Free parking will be available in the main parking lot and near the boat launch. Senior, ADA and event staff with parking passes will have limited parking available in the lodge area. Motorists should be prepared (and patient) for a slow exit of the park following the fireworks show.

Music: A band will play classic rock songs for listening and dancing on the beach.

Alcohol: It’s banned from the park. So are fireworks.

More information: http://ci.maple-valley.wa.us

Fourth of July Splash

Where and when: Lake Meridian Park, July 4, noon to approximately 11 p.m.

Fireworks show: 10 p.m. Musical accompaniment by Rainier Symphony.

Parking and access: Free shuttle bus will run approximately every 20 minutes from free parking areas at Kent Fire Station 75 (15635 SE. 272nd St.),

Kentwood High School and the 132nd park-and-ride.

Activities and games: Old-fashioned games, athletic skills contests, classic cars, hands-on art projects, watermelon and pie eating contests, and boat parade.

Stage entertainment: Noon, Allegro Precision Dance Company; 12:45, singer-songwriter Jim Abernethy; 1:30, Heel Klickin’ Cloggers; 2:15, The Po’Boys (blues, pop rock); 3:00, pie and watermelon eating contests sponsored by the Kent Senior Activity Center; 4:30, Steve and Kristi Nebel (travel adventures in song); 5:30, rock trio Sub-Motive; 7, juggler Rhys Thomas; 9, Rainier Symphony.

Miscellaneous: Organized by the city of Kent. Event started in 1998. Bring your own food and seating.