From the mountains to the Midlands to the coast, South Carolina goes all out for Independence Day.

July 4th falls on a Wednesday this year, with some events held the weekend before or after the 4th. Here are a few of our family's picks for places to get fired up on the Fourth of July.

The former Naval Base in North Charleston is home to a rocking July 4th celebration, sponsored by the city of North Charleston.

From 3-9 p.m. July 4, you’re invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to the free festival at Riverfront Park.

Music will be provided by Common Ground, Coastrunners, Atlanta Pleasure Band and Ruben Studdard, and there will be plenty of family activities and food vendors. There‘s a great children‘s area (that‘s also free), featuring inflatable jump castles, games and a water fountain.

At dark, fireworks will light up the sky, coordinated with live music from Equinox Jazz Band.
The park is easily accessible from Interstates 526 and 26. It's set on the banks of the picturesque Cooper River and bordered by Noisette Creek.

Planning a July 4th cookout? Get in some exercise first at Hilton Head, where the 27th annual Doctors Care Firecracker 5000 Road Race and Family Fun Walk will get started at 8 a.m. July 4. It's considered one of the state's top 10 races, with more than 1,300 runners and walkers participating each year.

The new 5K race course starts in front of Shelter Cove Community Park. Afterward, there will be plenty of fresh fruit and cold drinks -- along with music and door prizes -- at the post race celebration.

Fourth of July is all about peaches in Lexington County's tiny town of Gilbert.
This year marks the 54th Lexington County Peach Festival on Fourth of July.

All things peaches will be celebrated in the Gilbert Community Park on Rikard Circle between Gilbert Primary and Gilbert Middle schools. The festival starts at 8:30 a.m. and runs until the fireworks show kicks off at 10 p.m.

Festivities include the peach pageant, peach parade, live entertainment, art contest, antique car show and more. 

There are plenty of food options, including barbecue, hot dogs and hamburgers . But peaches are the stars of this festival. Don’t miss the peach ice cream and the peach cobbler – always a family favorite. And the peach tea is delicious.

Two Georgetown County resorts have July 4th events that shouldn't be missed. Pawleys Island is home to an anything-goes parade through the tiny island.

It's one of the highlights of the year on the barrier island between Myrtle Beach and Georgetown, where home-made floats of every description parade between the causeways. The parade starts at 11 a.m. and the causeways close to traffic by 10:30.

Murrells Inlet, the seafood capital of South Carolina, takes advantage of its picturesque inlet location with a Fourth of July boat parade.

This year's theme is "Red, White and View. Inlet Style, Tried and True."
Boaters decorate their boats according to the theme and parade around the inlet, starting around 9 a.m. (depending on high tide).

Best viewing spots are the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, Capt. Dick's Marina, Belin Memorial United Methodist Church, Nance's restaurant and the Hot Fish Club.

On the night of the Fourth, return to Murrells Inlet for a great fireworks display, starting at 10 p.m.

When the sun starts going down the fun starts heating up in Goose Creek, home of the Fabulous Fourth in the Creek, from 6-9:30 p.m. July 4.

There will be kids activities, food vendors, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display at the Marguerite H. Brown Municipal Center on S.C. 52.

What better day than Fourth of July to stroll across the Liberty Bridge, the 345-foot-long pedestrian bridge supported by a single suspension cable in Greenville's Falls Park on the Reedy.

If you're looking for a fabulous fireworks display in the Upstate, the downtown Greenville park is the place to be.

One of the state's most spectacular public parks (featuring open areas and cool waterfalls), the Wells Fargo Red, White and Blue event on July 4th brings fireworks to the sky above it. Bring a blanket and be prepared to marvel.

Heading to the coast the weekend before July 4th? Make a stop in Conway for the annual Riverfest June 29-30.

Just about 15 miles inland from Myrtle Beach, Conway is a historic town on the banks of the Waccamaw River.

The festival, located at Conway's Riverfront Park and on the grounds of the stately Horry County Courthouse, features three stages of entertainment, filling the air with the sounds of bluegrass, gospel and country music.

There will also be a family playground, car show, golf cart parade, river raft race and boat parade. And plenty of food vendors.

It's the perfect way to kickoff your Independence Day weeklong celebration.

Columbia's waterways are one of the Midlands best kept secrets.

But you'll get a chance to experience and celebrate the Saluda River on Saturday, June 16, at the first Rollin' on the River at Saluda Shoals Park.

The day begins with an all-ages group canoe and kayak trip down the Saluda. Then buses will transport you back to the park for a hot dog lunch, along with music by the Blue Iguanas, paddlesports exhibits, workshops, clinics and boat demonstration.

There also are tube trips and kid's activities included in the day's events, which run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The cost? Just $5 per person if you pay in advance, and $10 the day of the event. Advance registration is required, so call (803) 213-2056 to register.

Equipment is provided, but you may bring your own canoe or kayak if you wish. The event is sponsored by Saluda Shoals Park and River Runner Outdoor Center.

South Carolina's warm summer nights are made for picnics and outdoor concerts. There are several places around the state that offer summer concerts -- the perfect opportunity to hear a variety of music and let the kids enjoy a romp under the stars.

Downtown Columbia's Finlay Park is the home to Saturday night summer concert series, offering all sorts of bands performing weekly in the capital city's largest park.

The Natty Vibzs Bandj will play reggae on June 30, and Elliott and the Untouchables brings the blues to the park on July 21. Music fills the park every Saturday night through Aug. 18. The concerts run from 7-10 p.m., but get there early and spread your blanket and lawn chairs. You’re welcome to bring a picnic (but no glass containers), and food and drink vendors are also available.

Furman University in Greenville hosts a popular Music by the Lake Summer Concert Series.

The free concerts start at 7:30 p.m. each Thursday night throughout the summer in the university's amphitheater by the lake. The series, which is directed by Furman music professor Les Hicken, offers the chance to hear a variety of music, including big band, jazz, international, contemporary, marches and orchestral favorites.

Charleston's James Island County Park is the home of the 2012 Reggae Nights Summer Concert Series, featuring traditional and updated reggae.

Gates open at 8 p.m. on June 30, July 21 and Aug. 18. Tickets are $8; free for those 12 and younger. Bring chairs and a blanket to the picturesque 643-acre park, which also features grassy open meadows, saltwater fishing and crabbing, a spray play fountain area, picnic spots, volleyball courts and miles of paved trails.

Looking for a new twist for summer family movie nights? Take a walk on the wild side -- straight to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia.

The zoo is starting something new on Friday nights in June and July -- ZOOvie Nights. Grab a lawn chair and head to the zoo's Palmetto Plaza, starting June 8. Concessions will be available.

Admission is just $3 for Riverbanks members and $5 for the general public, with tickets available at the main zoo entrance. The gates open at 7 p.m., offering a chance to ride the carousel and the Spots n' Strips Railroad or try your climbing skills at the Wild Adventures Climbing Wall before the show starts at dusk.

Here's what's showing on upcoming ZOOvie Nights:

June 8: "Curious George"
June 15: "Zookeeper"
June 29: "Puss In Boots"
July 6: "Kung Fu Panda"
July 13: "Dolphin Tales"
July 27: "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa"

“We are excited to bring the big-screen to Riverbanks,” said Tommy Stringfellow, chief operating officer at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “ZOOvie Nights will add a new level of fun to the traditional movie night, while giving families yet another affordable opportunity to enjoy the zoo.”

To check on any weather cancellations, visit the zoo's facebook page.

Along with a night at the ZOOvies, make time during the day to visit Riverbanks Zoo and Garden -- just named one of America ’s Top 10 zoos by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site.

TripAdvisor's Popularity Index ranked Riverbanks as the fourth best zoo in the nation, giving it kudos for the zoo's ability to provide guests with up-close animal exhibits and interactive attractions.

According to one TripAdvisor traveler, “Riverbanks Zoo is the perfect family outing.”

As a family that's visited the zoo dozens and dozens of times over the years, we'd have to agree.

To see what TripAdvisor travelers are saying about Riverbanks, click here.