Check out this list of events celebrating the 4th of July in Charlotte and the surrounding area — as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

WBT KNIGHT’S SKYSHOW Hosted by Al Gardner and Tara Servatius. Jon Wilson broadcasts live. Skyshow radio heard live on 1110 A.M. and 99.3 F.M. Skyshow tailgate party at 5 p.m., Charlotte Knights vs. Durham Bulls at 7:15 p.m. Skyshow fireworks will follow the game. Sat., July 4. $7 and up. Knights Stadium, Fort Mill. 803-548-8050. For more information, call 704-364-6637 or visit www.wbtskyshow.com.

9TH ANNUAL PIG PICKIN’ Featuring live performances by Belmont Playboys, The Needles, The Dead Kings, M4 Messenger and Black Lashes. Sat., July 4. The Penguin, 1921 Commonwealth Ave.

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT HOLIDAY INN CENTER CITY This 4th of July celebration will feature live DJ music, a rooftop view of uptown fireworks display, cash bar, food and more. Sat., July 4, 7-11 p.m. $10-$15 for all-you-can-eat. Holiday Inn Center City, 230 N. College St.

BREAKFAST CLUB JULY 4TH PARTY Three levels of totally 80’s. $2 PBR bottles, party favors, and view of uptown fireworks. visit www.that80sclub.com for more informtaion. Sat., July 4. Breakfast Club, 225 N. Caldwell St. 704-374-1982. www.that80sclub.com.

CAROWINDS’ INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION This all day event includes country music performances, the Miss Carowinds’ 2009 Swimsuit Competition, live DJ, and the yearly Night of Fire. Sat., July 4, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. 704-588-2600. www.carowinds.com.

CONCERT ON THE GREEN Come celebrate the Fourth of July at the Village Green, where R & B band, Rough Draft, will play. Pack your “most patriotic” picnic for the contest. Sat., July 4. Free. Davidson Village Green, Concord and Main St., Davidson.

TOWN OF DAVIDSON PARKS AND RECREATION FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION Dress your bicycles, wagons, pets, and strollers in your favorite patriotic attire and come to Davidson’s annual Fourth of July small town parade and evening of music and games. Sat., July 4, 4:30-8 p.m. Davidson Village Green, Concord and Main St., Davidson.

FOURTH OF JULY AT BLUE RESTAURANT In honor of Independence Day, Blue Restaurant and Bar is offereing a three course dinner special for $34.95 and 1/2 price bottles of red and white wines. The Pressley Brothers will be playing live music. Sat., July 4, 5 p.m. Blue Restaurant, 5th & College.

RED ROCKS, WHITEWATER & BLUEGRASS 4TH OF JULY FESTIVAL Spend your Fourth of July at the USNWC. With festivities starting at noon, enjoy music, food, beer, wine, and activities for the whole family. Then, later, sit back and watch the fireworks display. Sat., July 4, 12 p.m. US National Whitewater Center, 820 Hawfield Rd.

RED, WHITE & BLUE FEST Charlotte’s only deck party and premiere fireworks view. Queens City Car Wars & Bike Show. For more information, visit www.kossmotorsports.com. Sat., July 4. $5, Free for children 12 and under. The Blake Hotel, 555 South McDowell St.

RED, WHITE, AND BOOM! PRESENTED BY LANCE Come celebrate the 4th at this family-friendly festival full of activities, musical entertainment, food vendors, and more. Fireworks show begin at 9:30 p.m. Sat., July 4, 6-10 p.m. Free, $5 parking fee. Memorial Stadium, 310 North Kings Dr.

RED, WHITE AND BOOM! ROCK HILL Event features live music from the Oneppo Brothers and ZoSo. There will be food vendors, kids activities and the fireworks start at 10 p.m. Sat., July 4, 6-10 p.m. Free. Old Town Amphitheater at City Hall Black Street, Rock Hill, SC.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION AT THE CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY Bring your family and learn about the birth of your country through colonial games, various family-friendly activities and bring a picnic lunch. Sat., July 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Dr. 704-568-1774. www.charlottemuseum.org.

CELEBRATING AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE Featuring firearms demonstrations, historic readings, cooking demonstrations and more. For more information, visit www.chmuseums.org. Sat., July 4,  10 a.m.-4 p.m. $3-$6; Free for children 3 and younger. 1444 Brattonsville Rd, McConnells, S.C.

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It’s no secret, fireworks — as pretty as they are — are trashy. Something you may not have considered is this: They’re also toxic. Fortunately, eco geeks are on the case.

Fireworks spew out not only dust and smoke, but also heavy metals, carbon monoxide and sulfur oxides. The shades of green are produced by barium compounds that can cause heart and lung problems, according to Thomas Klaptke, a professor at University of Munich in Germany.

While fireworks are explosive and not environmentally safe to begin with, there is hope. Researchers are working to find a way to produce environmentally safe fireworks at an affordable price.

Darren Naud and Michael Hiskey decided to find a way to create eco-friendly fireworks nine years ago, when they founded DMD Systems. Since then, the company, based in Los Alamos, N.M., has created two branches of fireworks: low smoke and perchlorate-free.

More from The Frederick News-Post.

Further reading: South Carolina readies for fireworks rush

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Check out these events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area this weekend— as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.

FRIDAY, JULY 3

311
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
311 is still “all mixed up.” The bands newest album, titled Uplifter contains a mix of sounds from hard rock to reggae. See them perform with opening act Ziggy Marley at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre tonight.

• Special Event Theatre Charlotte is presenting a night of song merriment with its Grease Sing-Along event. The film will be screened with subtitled song lyrics, so you can chime in. Dress up as your favorite character from the film for the pre-show costume contest. more…

• Theater Ready for a fight? Citizens of the Universe is presenting fist-pumping performances of Fight Club for your own deranged enlightenment.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Living in America party
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club’s Living in America party will feature 80’s music, party favors, drink specials and you can get a great view of Uptown fireworks.

• Special Event Red, White & Boom is a family-friendly 4th of July fest full of activities at Memorial Stadium. more…

• Special Event Red White & Blue Fest offers you a car and bike show, a fashion show, live music, food, fireworks and more, in celebration of July 4th. more…

SUNDAY, JULY 5

Basil Thai Cuisine
210 N. Church St.
In a recovery effort from yesterday’s hotdogs and hamburgers, visit Basil Thai Cuisine where you can munch on flavorful Pad Thai.

• Theater In the mood for a romantic comedy? If so, head to CPCC’s Halton Theater for a performance of The Rainmaker. more…

• Theater Make your way to Belk Theater today for final performances of The Phantom of the Opera. more…

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