Celebrate America's Birthday With Fourth of July Fireworks

As most city residents know, there is never a shortage of fun things to do or places to go in Portsmouth or the surrounding Seacoast area. Each Thursday, we will offer five suggestions for families who are planning out their weekends.

1. "Wizard of Oz": The Prescott Park Arts Festival summer production of "The Wizard of Oz" will resume this evening at 7 p.m. and continue through the weekend with performances on Friday evening at 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Suggested donations of $8 to $10 to support the arts festival are appreciated.

2. Summer in the Street returns: Pro Portsmouth's Summer in the Street festival resumes this Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. where Portsmouth Police block off traffic from Pleasant Street from Porter Street to Market Square so that live music and family-friendly activities can take over. This Saturday Cormac McCarthy and Mainesqueeze are the featured performers.

3. Fourth of July fireworks: The city will launch a fireworks display on Sunday at 9:15 p.m. over South Mill Pond to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. Police have put in place several parking restrictions.

4. An American Celebration: Strawbery Banke Museum will be the place to be on Monday, July 4. The museum will host a U.S. Naturalization ceremony where several immigrants will become U.S. citizens. It will also host historical displays, kids games and plenty of food and fun to celebrate the nation's birthday. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $15 for adults. Children and teens under 17 years old are free.

5. Hit the beaches: Wallis Sands State Park and Jenness Beach State Park in nearby Rye on Route 1-A are just a short drive from Portsmouth and always give families a great beach day experience.