ELKINS — This Fourth July weekend, communities across the country and locally are going that extra mile to celebrate America 250 and the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Elkins, which has a full day of activities planned for July 4, including a parade, car show, concert and fireworks display, isn’t the lone spot in the area to find an Independence Day celebration. Surrounding counties have also scheduled events that will light up the Fourth of July skies, including in Tucker County where the 69th annual Mountaineer Day Festival will take place in the town of Thomas.

The Thomas Volunteer Fire Department has hosted the town’s fireworks display since 1958 and will do the same again this year. And as part of the celebration, there will also be a 5K/2/K walk and run, live music, art, food and culture.

The 5K/2K walk and run will get underway at 8 a.m. and food/craft vendors and kids inflatables will open at 10 a.m. along with a kid’s bike decorating contest. The annual parade will be at noon and cake walk at 1 p.m. Live musical entertainment will begin at 2:30 p.m. and conclude at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks will begin after dark.

In Barbour County, a Fourth of July community celebration is set to take place on July 4 at the Barbour County Fairgrounds. Festivities start at 9 a.m., with an Indoor Flea Market in the Equestrian building.

A Tractor Show Show and Country Rat Rod and Car Show will get underway at 10 a.m. and the Red, White and Blue Parade will begin at 5 p.m. Side-by-sides, ATVs, golf carts, bicycles, vehicles and floats are encouraged to participate. A miniature golf course will also be set up for the celebration and fireworks will begin after dark.

Also on July 4, the Harman Volunteer Fire Department will host an Independence Day celebration that will get underway at 9 a.m. The festivities will feature vendor sales, food trucks, chicken burn, car show, parade, live music and fireworks at dark.

In Upshur County, the City of Buckhannon will host its Fourth of July celebration Friday, July 3. The event is part of Create Buckhannon’s Festival Fridays at Jawbone Park. The celebration will feature live music, chicken bbq dinners, food vendors, inflatables, costumed characters, a climbing wall for children, a city ceremony celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and fireworks.

The event opens at 5 p.m. and fireworks are scheduled to fill the sky after dark at approximately 9:30