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Parades, picnics and fireworks are coming this week to mark the nation's birthday. Here's a list of Fourth of July celebrations around the region.

Beacon Falls

The annual fireworks display will be July 11 at the Pent Road Complex. Shuttle services will be available starting at 6:30 p.m. from Woodland High School, Ideal Manufacturing and the fire house. Fireworks begin at dark. Food and entertainment will be available.

Bristol

Lake Compounce will celebrate the Fourth of July with a fireworks presentation set over its 23-acre lake on Saturday. The park opens at 11a.m.; fireworks start at 9:45.

Litchfield

The Historical Society's annual pet parade takes place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Litchfield History Museum, 7 South St. Free registration begins at 2:15; owners are asked to bring a rabies certificate and their own leashes or cages, if they so choose. The Turn-of-the-Century Fest will follow, complete with ice cream and old-fashioned games, including a sack race and a sunflower seed spitting contest.

Middlebury

Lake Quassapaug Amusement Park will be holding their fireworks on Sat evening starting at 10:15. Guests coming early will pay $7 for parking. All ride admissions are separate. Special 3-D glasses are available for $1.00 with proceeds going to Prevent Blindness.

Naugatuck

The free Fourth of July celebration begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at Naugatuck High School, featuring D.J. Roberto Velez, Prinkles the Clown and an opening ceremony hosted by the Veteran's Council at 6:45 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:15. Donations are still being accepted; send them to: 4th of July Fund, Naugatuck Savings Bank, 251 Church St., Naugatuck 06770.

Oxford

The Quaker Farms Fire Company Carnival continues through Saturday at Quaker Farms School, 30 Great Oak Road, with fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Friday.

Thomaston

Resident Mary S. Reynolds is organizing the 44th annual Children's Parade on Old Northfield Road on Saturday. Children dress up and decorate their bikes in patriotic colors; lineup is on Perritt Drive at 10:30 a.m. and the parade steps off at 11 a.m.

Torrington

Fourth of July festivities and fireworks will be held on the grounds of Torrington Middle School. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15. Parking is limited and first-come, first served; visitors are encouraged to arrive with a full car. There will be food concessions and entertainment will include stilt walkers, interactive jugglers, balloon artists, face painters, inflatables, carnival games and climbing apparatuses. Admission is free.

Waterbury

A free celebration will be held at Municipal Stadium, 1200 Watertown Ave. Dave Gardino and the Swing Shifts began their set at 6 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dark. Rain date is set for Sunday.