AJC Peachtree Road Race and fireworks

Get your running shoes ready.

The annual AJC Peachtree Road Race will kick off the Fourth of July holiday Monday.

The race, a 10K organized by the Atlanta Track Club, will start in Buckhead near Lenox Square Mall and end in Piedmont Park.

It’s sure to bring a flood of runners to the area, so check the traffic before heading out.

Weekend road closures suspended

The Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures on interstates and major state system highways from 5 a.m. Friday until 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

“We expect heavy holiday traffic across the state as people head to parades, barbecues and fireworks,” GDOT construction director Marc Mastronardi said. “By restricting lane closures, we hope this will enable motorists to travel with fewer delays and less stress.”

» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @ajcwsbtraffic on Twitter.

Wet weather ahead

Bring umbrellas and tons of water to Fourth of July activities.

There is a slight chance of rain the remainder of the week, but that will increase to a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday and Monday, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Meteorologist Karen Minton said expect rain mostly in the afternoon on Monday. Weather won’t include “a washout,” but it will not be “a perfect Fourth of July weekend either,” she said.

The forecast called for highs to reach 93 degrees Saturday, 94 degrees Sunday and 93 degrees Monday.

» Check the full forecast and track changes

Watch the AJC Peachtree Road Race

If sitting and watching is more your thing than running is, enjoy the stream of runners from afar.

Here are some spots along the race route that will be open for your viewing — and eating — pleasure:

Cook Hall

Watch the race on the restaurant's patio from while enjoying $5 Bloody Marys and mimosas, plus music from DJ Hakim. Cook Hall is at 3377 Peachtree Road in Atlanta.

R. Thomas

The vegetarian restaurant is open 24 hours, so swing by as early as you want to grab a seat. R. Thomas at 1812 Peachtree St. NE in Atlanta.

Shake Shack

The Shops at Buckhead Atlanta will close off the property's Bolling Way entrance from 7 to 11 a.m. for Shake Shack's race party. Enjoy a special Shack Shandy drink, free tastes of frozen custard, face painting, cheer sign decorating, corn hole and giveaways, in addition to music from Yacht Rock DJ. Shake Shack is at 3035 Peachtree Road, No. A146 in Atlanta.

Corso Coffee

Get a front row view of the race and order off the coffee shop’s regular menu starting at 7 a.m.

Corso Coffee is at 3065 Peachtree Road, No. 210 in Atlanta.

10th and Piedmont

If you want to catch the runners as they reach the home stretch of the race, check out 10th and Piedmont's brunch and bottomless mimosas starting at 9 a.m. 10th and Piedmont is at 991 Piedmont Ave. in Atlanta.

Counting down to fireworks

From the annual Pied Piper Parade in Decatur to fireworks at local malls, get ready for events galore this Fourth of July weekend.

Six Flags Over Georgia will offer a three-day celebration of nightly fireworks and special events beginning Saturday. Go online for theme park hours or to get discounts on season passes.

Hit up Lenox Square or the Mall of Georgia, Stone Mountain Park, downtown East Point or Lake Avondale for fireworks shows starting about 9:30 p.m. Monday or whenever it gets dark.

The Mall of Georgia will even bring bounce houses, walls to climb and Captain America in a Village Kids Zone starting at 5 p.m.

The Pied Piper Parade will begin at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur, just before an evening of music from the Callanwolde Concert Band and fireworks after dark.

If you’re in Atlanta, gates open at the same time for the Fourth of July celebration at Centennial Olympic Park.

The event will feature musician Jorel “JFly” Flynn, who has worked with such artists as Jennifer Holliday, New Edition and Cameo.

Before dark, you’ll have the option to attend a beach party at Callaway Gardens or catch a morning parade at the DeKalb School of the Arts or Huntley Hills Swim and Tennis Club.