Atlanta will celebrate July 4th without the lavish WSB Parade this year, but people-watching events will be in full bloom around town.

The day begins early for runners and an expected throng of 150,000 fans of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race. With 55,000 registered participants officially hitting the pavement at 7:30 a.m., excitement will be pulsing through Atlanta during the world's-largest 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) race. Runners will begin assembling around dawn at the traditional Lenox Square Mall start site. But this year there is a new finish line.

Drought conditions steered the race away from its usual finish line at Piedmont Park, where grassy areas are being protected. One additional turn has been added to the route toward a new finish line at the intersection of Juniper Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown Atlanta. For more information and a detailed map, check out www.atlanta trackclub.org.

As the 39th annual road race concludes, parades and other festivities will be coming to life around the metro area.

WATCH OR JOIN IN

Here is a listing of where you can join in the marching or plant your chair to watch an all-American spectacle of floats, beauty queens, clowns and bands on July 4:

> Decatur's Pied Piper Parade invites you to jump right in as it winds through the city's downtown streets. You are invited to dress up in your favorite patriotic attire, decorate your bike or wagon and be a part of this family friendly parade that typically has more people marching than watching. This event is known for the creativity of its participants. The lineup takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Decatur at 308 Clairemont Ave. The parade ends on the square at the Community Bandstand with the presentation of colors by a local Boy Scout troop and a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" by the Callanwolde Concert Band.

> The elaborate Marietta Freedom Parade will have an estimated 2,000 participants this year. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Roswell Street Baptist Church and will travel west on Roswell Street, ending at North Marietta Parkway. Participants will include the Air National Guard Band and plenty of floats.

> Avondale Estates' traditional Fourth of July parade route is down Clarendon Road, starting on the south end of town near Avondale High School and ending on the north end of town near Covington Road. The parade begins at 10 a.m. with everything from elaborate floats to resident kids on their own wheels. You can join in the march or watch the fun.

> In Dunwoody, the big "Celebrate Freedom" parade begins at 9:30 a.m. The 2.5-mile route starts at the intersection of Mount Vernon Road and Jett Ferry Road and travels west on Mount Vernon to Dunwoody Village Parkway. The parade has a registered 2,000 participants, including five marching bands, floats, clowns, animal units and local celebrities.

> The city of Stone Mountain will kick off a lively Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m. at the west gate of Stone Mountain Park on East Mountain Street. The fun and fanfare will travel down Main Street, ending at the Stone Mountain Rock Gym on Mimosa Drive.

> Stone Mountain Park's Fantastic Fourth Celebration runs today through Saturday. Each evening begins with a laser show, followed by a fireworks display in front of the mountain. And on Friday, bursts of light will illuminate the sky as fireworks choreographed to music are shot from both the base and the top of Stone Mountain. The laser show and fireworks are free. Parking permit required for vehicle entry to the park —- $10 for a one-day permit or $35 for an annual permit.

> In Gwinnett County, check out the eighth annual Mall of Georgia's Fabulous Fourth event. Activities have been expanded to two days. Things will heat up at 2 p.m. Friday with free concerts in the Village Amphitheatre. Children of all ages can be entertained in the Kids' Zone area. Carnival games and family activities continue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The mall will also host a musical performance from the band Stone Echo as part of its Summer Concert Series at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Village Amphitheatre. The Mall of Georgia is located at 3333 Buford Drive in Buford.