Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our national independence through food, fireworks, and music. And this year is no exception.

On July 3, there will be two consecutive concerts in Juneau, as well as a pre-fireworks barn dance.

First up is an extended Concert in the Park, put on by Capital City Celebration, Juneau Arts and Culture Center and Sysco, and featuring three bands. At 5:30 p.m. there's Firepower, a youth band. At 6 p.m., Tidewater, a bluegrass, swing, country and fiddle tunes band, will come onstage. Finishing out the night is Fleet Street, a jazz combo with vocals, at 7 p.m.

If it rains, the concert will go on, at the JACC.

During the concert, free hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided as part of a community barbeque held in honor of the holiday and Alaska's 50th birthday.

Then, beginning at 8:30 p.m., The Diamonds will return to Juneau for a "Sock Hop" at Centennial Hall.

The sock hop is being put on by Capital City Celebrations, who also sponsored the Jan. 3 sold-out Statehood Ball featuring the band.

Unlike the Statehood Ball, Kathy Hildre, chairwoman of Capital City Celebrations, stressed that the sock hop is very casual. So casual, that, as implied by the name, you don't have to even wear shoes to dance.

Hildre said the Diamonds were excited to come back to Juneau and help celebrate the 50th anniversary.

There's a cash bar and snacks and the dance ends at 11:45 p.m., right in time for midnight fireworks over the channel.

Tickets are $20 at Hearthside Books and Miner's Postal on Franklin Street. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Also on July 3, there will be a New England Barn Dance at St. Anne's Parish Hall. The dance starts at 8:30 p.m., is free, and welcomes new and seasoned dancers. No partners required.

Full Circle will provide music for the dance and Jim Grammel will teach and call the dances.

The music continues on into the next day. Douglas' Savikko Park Field #2 will be buzzing with bands from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Elemendorf Air Force Band will continue its 4th of July run in Juneau along with local bands One Aisle Over, Lifted Embrace, Missed By a Long Shot and Moses Kane.