The Blowing Rock Fourth of July parade on Saturday includes a car dedicated to "Isabella Propeller and the Magic Beanie," a children's book written by John Graves and illustrated by Gail Haley. In the VW Beetle, Graves and Haley are accompanied by Laurel and Riley Kiker, with Riley dressed up like the fictional Isabella Propeller.

Here are a few of the other Independence Day activities occurring in the High Country this week:

SUNDAY, JULY 1

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Diana & Sarvis Ridge bluegrass — Blowing Rock Memorial Park

5 p.m. to 9 p.m. — Sweet T park dance — Blowing Rock Memorial Park

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4

11 a.m. — Boone Parade — King Street, Boone

11 a.m. — Todd Liberty Day Parade — Preparation and dressing begins at 10:30 a.m. with parade at 11 a.m. — Railroad Grade Road, Todd

Noon — Watermelon and cake — Jones House Community Center, Boone

5 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Bethel Blast — Music, barbecue, fireworks and fellowship — Bethel Road, Sugar Grove

6:30 p.m. — King George effigy burning — Toasts, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a burning of a stuffed representation of King George and choral singing will occur at the Hickory Ridge Homestead prior to the Horn in the West drama. Admission is by donation. Horn in the West Drive, Boone

7 p.m. — Music with D.J. Carl — Clawson/Burnley Park — Hunting Lane, Boone

Approx. 9:15 p.m. — Public fireworks at Clawson/Burnley Park — Hunting Lane, Boone

Approx. 9:30 p.m. — Tweetsie fireworks — The park stays open until 9 p.m. Parking inside the attraction is $5 per car. — U.S. 321 South, Blowing Rock