In the days leading up to the July 4 holiday and in the week to follow, Elbert County residents will have plenty to do as summer gears up with events across the county.

Independence Day celebrations begin in Elizabeth on July 2, the Saturday before the holiday, with Yankee Doodle Dandy on Main Street. The morning begins with a pancake breakfast and a patriotic pet parade. Pet owners are encouraged to dress up their favorite pets.

Billed as an All-American day, the celebration includes a pie-eating contest, open market and food court.

Over the hill in Kiowa, the Elbert County Historical Society holds its Annual Pioneer Fourth Celebration on July 4. In addition to the open house at the Elbert County Museum, the event features live music, skilled pioneer artisan demonstrations, a pie-baking contest and games for the kids.

To close out the July 4 holiday, the Kiowa Fire Department will continue its 27-year tradition of its Fourth of July fireworks show.

A shortage of funding forced the cancellation of last year's performance, but the department was able to raise around $3,800 of the $4,500 needed for the display, and the volunteer firefighters came to the rescue by chipping in the difference.

The fireworks show is set to begin after sunset (around 9:15) at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa.

The close of the long Independence Day weekend does not mark the end of activities in the county, and big celebrations are planned in Simla and Elbert the following weekend.

The town of Simla holds Simla Days on July 9. Saturday's festivities begin with a parade on Pueblo Avenue followed by local vendors and a dunk tank. The Beer Garden opens at noon, and the town council is providing a free dinner.

Also slated for July 9 is the Elbert Day Festival beginning with a 5K benefit for Elbert School and suicide prevention and ending with dinner sponsored by the Elbert Town Committee.

Sandwiched in between is a full day of activities including flyovers by local pilots, a tractor pull, a musical tribute to Western traditions and lifestyles by award-winning singer-song writer Barry Ward.

An egg toss, a watermelon seed spitting contest and a pancake race are planned for both kids and adults. Music performed by Canyon Station Band rounds out the afternoon and evening.

Celebrations in Elbert County

Elizabeth - Yankee Doodle Dandy, July 2, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

Main Street — farmers market, face painting, music, open market, and a potato race

• 8-10 a.m. — Pancake Breakfast

• 10:30-11 a.m. — Pet-riotic Parade

• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Food court

• Noon-2 p.m. — Photo-op and tie-dye a shirt

• 1-2 p.m. — Pie-eating contest

Kiowa — Pioneer Fourth Celebration, July 4, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

Elbert County Museum — Open house, live music, skilled pioneer artisans, pie-baking contest, kids games, silent auction

• 10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Pioneer Fourth Celebration

• 11:30 a.m. — Pie-baking contest

• Sunset — Kiowa fireworks show (fairgrounds) presented the Kiowa Fire District

Simla — Independence Day Celebration, July 4, sunset

• Sunset — Simla Football Field

Simla — Simla Days (Pueblo Avenue), July 9

• 10 a.m. — Parade

• 11 a.m. — Flag raising

• Noon-10 p.m. — Beer garden

• 6-7 p.m. — Free dinner provided by town council

• 7-10 p.m. — Music and dancing

Elbert — Elbert Day Festival (North Elbert Road and Lavell Avenue), July 9

• 8 a.m. — Elbert Town 5k Run/Walk (benefit for Elbert School and suicide prevention)

• 8-10 a.m. — Country breakfast in Russell Gates Mercantile, Elbert Woman's Club

• 9:30 a.m. — Flyover by Kelley Air Park residents

• 10 a.m. — Parade with vintage cars, tractors, and military vehicles

• 11 a.m. — Gold Canyon Gunfighters re-enactment, vignettes throughout the day

• 11 a.m.-6 p.m. — Beer garden opens and lunch prepared by Elbert town committee

• 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. — Award-winning musician Barry Ward

• Noon-2:30 p.m. — Roping demonstration

• 3-7 p.m. — Music by The Canyon Station Band

• 3-6 p.m. — Tractor pull

• 4-7 p.m. — Dinner sponsored by Elbert town committee