If you’re like me, you’ve already decided to take off the Friday before the 4th to get that four-day weekend vibe going. If you’re in the Downtown corridor, check out some of these events:

FOR THE FREE:

• DJ Mars is going to be on the 1’s and 2’s over at Django serving up the hottest summertime beats starting at 9pm on Saturday and going on until question marks. If you think the rhythm’s gonna get ya, cool off with 2-for-1 Dos Equis’ and martinis from 9-11. Tell ’em “summer fling” at the door to get in for free.
• WSB’s Salute 2 America parade kicks off at 1pm starting at P’tree and Ralph McGill and heading on down to Centennial Olympic Park. Stick around the Park for their annual Fourth of July celebration starting at 5:30pm with 70’s and 80’s show band Shimmer and special guests Classic Rock All-Stars. The fireworks start at 9:30pm.

FOR THE PAID:

• Tony Hawk’s “Boom Boom Huck Jam” will be at Philips Arena. With skateboarding, BMX and motocross elements in the show, you X-gamers out there will love it. Tickets run from $27 – $67.
• The Ethiopian Sports Federation of Northern America is at the Georgia World Congress Center and Georgia Dome through July 9th. There will be soccer teams from across the country competing to win the ESFNA title. Haile Gebresellassie will be the guest of honor. Tickets run from $12 – $15.

If you know of anything else to add, feel free to comment! Have a great Fourth!