America turns 250 years old this weekend, and what better way to celebrate than with community cookouts, history lessons and, of course, fireworks.

Here are The Morning Call’s top picks for Fourth of July fun. (Visit themorningcall.com for a full list of events.)

America 250: A guide to July 4 fireworks, parades and more in the Lehigh Valley

Where to catch fireworks

What’s a July 4 celebration without fireworks? There’s plenty to choose from. Fireworks go off at dusk:

• J. Birney Crum Stadium, Allentown

• Valley Preferred Cycling Center, Upper Macungie Township

• Sand Island, Bethlehem

• Catasauqua Area School District football stadium

• Coca-Cola Park, Allentown

• Dorney Park, South Whitehall Township

Liberty Ignited at Coca-Cola Park

The IronPigs are throwing a massive America250 party this weekend, and everyone’s invited.

The July 3 lineup includes entertainment, experiences and more, all culminating in Liberty United, which is being billed as the region’s largest drone and fireworks show ever. The show will include at least 300 drones and a fireworks show nearly six times larger than a normal IronPigs post-game fireworks show.

Highlights of the event include the day’s emcee, Allentown native and award-winning TV personality Carson Kressley; a reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Bachman Players; performances by the Swing Time Dolls, Brandywine Colonials Fife and Drum Corps and bagpiper Geoffrey Nicotia; and a Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival rendition of the classic Abbott & Costello bit “Who’s on First.”

A century car show will represent the history of the American automotive industry, with vehicles ranging from a 1910 Buick Model 10 Touring to a 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon.

Other historical groups will showcase exhibits featuring historical documents, information, experiences and more, including a life-sized papier mache Liberty Bell made by Terry Pundiak and courtesy of Easton Rotary Club, a Ben Franklin interactive hologram and an Allentown Fairgrounds exhibit with various demonstrations.

Attendees will receive miniature American flags and be invited to sign a giant replica of the Declaration of Independence. Special for the holiday, apple pie and apple pie a la mode will be available at Coca-Cola Park along with other patriotic and ballpark concessions staples.

There will also be a fireworks display Saturday.

If you go: Ballpark gates will open at 5:30 p.m. July 3, and ceremonies begin around 6:15 p.m. Tickets are available at mlb.com/milb/lehigh-valley; field-level tickets are $17.76, plus fees.

Delve into Lehigh Valley history

A historical event is the perfect time to learn more about the region’s history and its many connections to the American Revolution.

Here are some ideas:

George Taylor House: Visit the Catasauqua home of one of the Founding Fathers from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and experience living history reenactors, musical performances, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and house tours ($10). georgetaylorhouse.org

Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum: The museum in Allentown will host a one-day exhibit and lecture 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4. View a collection of artifacts connected to America’s founding, including a legal document signed by George Taylor; the teapot of John Mickley, who helped transport the Liberty Bell to Allentown during the Revolutionary War; and the brake handle from the wagon that carried the Liberty Bell to safety at Zion’s Church in Allentown. $10; $3, children; free, ages 2 and under. lehighvalleyheritagemusuem.org

Sigal Museum: Explore how Northampton County has marked the nation’s centennial, bicentennial and semiquincentennial anniversaries at this Easton museum’s “Remembering 1776” exhibit. View commemorative souvenirs, publications, keepsakes and everyday objects created to mark each celebration, and how they tell America’s story. The exhibit runs through Dec. 31. sigalmuseum.org

Have an event for us to consider? Email us at goguide@mcall.com.