There's plenty to do on the Fourth without putting a dent in the budget.

The day starts with homespun parades in Marietta and Canton and ends with fireworks in six cities in Cobb and Cherokee.

Kennesaw gets an edge on the competition with a free concert and fireworks tonight at the Depot. Head to Acworth tomorrow to watch fireworks over Lake Acworth or to Powder Springs for an alternative to crowds in Marietta. The city expects about 80,000 people to show up for Marietta's daylong celebration.

This year, "Gone with the Wind" fans will have a chance to mingle with five surviving stars of the classic movie. The Marietta Gone with the Wind, Scarlett on the Square Museum plans a breakfast, autograph party and dinner dance during the weekend.

IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND

KENNESAW

Concert series

Frontiers: A Journey tribute band, pre-Independence Day celebration with fireworks, starting 8 p.m. tonight. Kennesaw Historic Train Depot, 2828 Cherokee St., Kennesaw.

> Information: 770-422-9714, www.kennesaw-ga.gov/summerconcertseries.

ACWORTH

Concerts and fireworks

Three concerts, 4-8 p.m., Friday and fireworks at dark, Cauble Park at Lake Acworth, 4425 Beach St., Acworth, Shuttles from the Postal Service office, City Hall and Acworth First Baptist Church.

> Information: 770-917-1234, www.acworth.org.

MARIETTA

Fourth in the Park

Parade and festival with entertainment, carnival games, food, arts and crafts, and fireworks. 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday. Glover Park at Marietta Square, Marietta.

> Information: 770-429-1115, www.mariettaga.gov.

PATRIOTIC PLANNER

Marietta's Star Spangled Scarlett Weekend

Five cast members from "Gone With the Wind," at Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum: Scarlett on the Square, 18 Whitlock Ave., Friday-Sunday. A Rhett Butler show truck, trivia, GWTW swap meets, costume contests and a big band dance and dinner with a salute to U.S. military forces, Tickets, $10 to $35 or $150 for entire weekend.

> Information: 770-794-5576, www.mariettaga.gov/gwtw/starspangled.aspx.

Powder Springs Independence Day Celebration

Food and children's activities: inflatables, rock climbing wall, bungee jump and trackless train. Fireworks at dark, 6-10 p.m., Town Square, 4488 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs.

> Information: 770-943-1666 or www.cityofpowdersprings.org.

Fireworks in the Park in Canton

Family activities and fireworks, 4-8 p.m. Friday, Heritage Park, Canton. Sponsored by North Cherokee Kiwanis.

> Information: 770-704-4100; www.firstcherokeestate.com.

FreedomFest Parade in Woodstock

Freedom run, 7:30 a.m., and parade, 10 a.m. Festival in the Park: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., arts and crafts, children's games, watermelon seed spitting and hot dog eating contests, Friday, downtown Woodstock, 103 Arnold Mill Road. Fireworks off Ga. 92 at Target shopping center at dark.

—- Lynne Shaw contributed to this report.