Today's 5: Big Weekend Begins

Today starts the Independence Day Weekend. If you're not heading out town for the long weekend there's lots to do in Plainview and on Long Island.

Each day the "5 Things" column will tell you five essential pieces of information you need to know today, like events happening or community topics being covered on the site later on in the day. Have an event or topic that should appear in this column? Add it to the calendar or send us a news tip.

On Friday: 

1. Head to Jones Beach; pristine white sands; a boardwalk that stretches for miles. Ocean breezes. Memories. Need we say more? Ten bucks to park. 

2. Not ready to take the plunge? The J and WBAB 102.3 present Tribute Fridays throughout July. Each week, a popular local tribute band takes the stage; you can hear tributes to rock legends like Queen, Styx, Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. Free (evening) parking at Field 4.

3. The Feast of St. Anthony is celebrated in nearby Westbury at St. Brigid's/ Our Lady of Hope Regional School. Today through Sunday, 7-11 p.m. Food, games, rides, raffles and music with a firework display on July 2 @ 10 p.m., hosted by the Durazzano Society of Westbury.

4. Monday is Independence Day, a national holiday. All public, governmental agencies are closed (like the post office. There's no garbage pickup in the Town of Oyster Bay. It's a big holiday. Celebrate.) Most supermarkets are open, but on shorter hours.

5. There's been all this buzz about our story about the five things you can't do in Plainview anymore. Check out our story here.