Happy Fourth of July . . .

. . . and all the nearby dates, too! There's a lot to do, so get your running shoes on.

Friday, July 2, you have a chance to hear Richland lads Jordan Lunardini and Matt Reinhardt with the old gang, Frankie Ballard and Eddie Robinson, at the Stagecoach Barn (8940 N. 32nd Street at M-89/C Avenue), in their Funkberry Jam mode. Starts at 9 p.m., costs $7.

But don't stay out too late if you're planning to run or walk in the Pace for Poverty at 8 a.m. The event, organized by Gull Lake grad Adam Simon and PAF stalwart Jeff Brown, starts by the athletic fields behind Gull Lake Middle School on M-89. If you took my advice about Friday night, you should be done in plenty of time for the 11 a.m. step-off of the Richland 4th of July Parade--note that this year it's on Saturday, July 3. You wouldn't want to miss it, or any of the surrounding fun and food, like the Lions Club chicken barbecue and Richland Presbyterian's pie tent.

Then keep supporting great local music and have fun, too, at the Boiling Pot Music Festival at Arcadia Festival Place downtown, noon to midnight on Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4. Cost is $10 each day at the gate, or $15 for both days if you buy in advance.

Happy Second, Third, and Fourth!