With baseball, a party in the park and Larry the Cable Guy, Lincoln could get a little crowded during the long Independence Day weekend.

But the city is ready, Mayor Chris Beutler said last week.

First, the highlights:

* The free Uncle Sam Jam at Oak Lake Park is Friday, July 3, and features fireworks and Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra.

* Larry the Cable Guy will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at Memorial Stadium; his show also will include fireworks.

* The Lincoln Saltdogs are home against the Wichita Wingnuts Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (July 3-5). And, of course, there will be fireworks.

Now, the details.

Uncle Sam Jam

Oak Lake Park

The park is at First and Charleston streets. Food and concessions open at 4 p.m. in main parking lot. The Red Cross will have first aid available.

* 4 to 8 p.m. - Family activities and games, including canoeing, kickball, horseshoes, badminton, volleyball, bocce, carnival games, inflatables, bingo, water balloons, three-legged and gunnysack races, tire throwing and casting contests.

* 5:30 p.m. The Ashanti Band

* 9:15 p.m. Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra pre-fireworks concert, broadcast on B107.3 (107.3 FM), KLIN (1400 AM) and Wow-FM (105.3 FM).

* 10 p.m. - Fireworks by Zambelli Internationale, live, choreographed music by Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra, broadcast on B107.3, Froggy 98 (98.1 FM), Wow-FM and KLIN.

The rules:

* No personal fireworks, no alcohol in the park

* No swimming in Oak Lake

* Pets must be on leashes; they should stay home during the fireworks display.

Getting there, parking:

* StarTran will provide free bus service, 5-11 p.m., between park entrance and the Haymarket Parking Garage, Ninth and Q; Gold's bus stop, 11th and O; County-City Building, northeast corner of Ninth and H and southeast corner of Ninth and K; State Fair Park lot No. 9 (west of Devaney, enter off Court Street between 14th and 15th, and lot No. 6 (west of Devaney, enter off of North Antelope Valley Parkway).

* $3 parking will be available beginning at 4 p.m. at Haymarket Garage, Ninth and Q; Iron Horse lot, Seventh and Q; Que Place Garage, 11th and Q; Market Place Garage, 10th and Q.

* Handi-Van service will be available for those eligible. Make reservations at 441-7109.

Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra repertoire:

"Star-Spangled Banner," "Fanfare for the Common Man," "South Pacific Overture," "An American Salute," "Armed Forces Salute," "Seventy-six Trombones," "1812 Overture" (fireworks begin), "National Emblem March," "Hoe-down from Rode," "March from Superman," "America the Beautiful," "There is No Place Like Nebraska," "Stars and Stripes Forever"

Larry the Cable Guy

Memorial Stadium

About 1,500 tickets ($6 each) to his comedy show - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4 - were still available midday Thursday.

* Call the NU Ticket Office at 800-824-4733 or 402-472-3111.

* Reserve $4 pre-paid parking at lincoln.ne.gov or parkitdowntown.org. for Haymarket Parking Garage, Ninth and Q; Market Place, 10th and Q; Que Place, 11th and Q.

Also, the city will offer $5 parking starting at 3 p.m. at those garages - and these: Iron Horse lot, Seventh and Q; 14th and Q lot; 13th and P lot; University Square Garage, 101 N. 14th St.; and 711 O St.

* Lincoln police will step up patrols downtown and in the Haymarket, focusing on illegal tailgating and liquor violations. Police recommend fans arrive at the stadium by 6 p.m.

Lincoln Saltdogs

Haymarket Park

The Lincoln Saltdogs have a weekend homestand against the Wichita Wingnuts.

* First pitch for the Friday and Sunday games: 7:05 p.m.; first pitch Saturday is 6:05 p.m.

* Tickets: www.saltdogs.com/tickets/singlegame/

* Only fans with tickets to the game can park at the stadium Friday and Saturday.

Rain dates

* In case of bad weather, Friday's LSO concert, radio broadcasts and fireworks display will be rescheduled to Sunday, July 5. No other Uncle Sam Jam events will be rescheduled.

* The rain date for Larry the Cable Guy's show also is July 5.

More info online

* Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau (with special weekend hotel rates), lincoln.org.

* Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra, www.lincolnsymphony.com

* Uncle Sam Jam, lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: uncle sam jam)

* Parking, lincoln.ne.gov or parkitdowntown.org/

Plug those ears

Fireworks sales begin at 8 a.m. Friday in Lincoln. They can be discharged 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday.

Hitting the road? Here are some tips

Motorists can expect to see a lot of state troopers this weekend - the equivalent of 46 extra troopers - and they'll be looking for drunk drivers, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Motorist-assist volunteers in specially marked vans will be available to help stranded motorists along Interstate 80 from Kearney to Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Travelers who run into trouble or see an impaired or reckless driver should call the patrol's Highway Helpline at *55 on any cell phone or (800) 525-5555 on a regular phone.

From the community

Here's the list of Lincoln neighborhood and Southeast Nebraska events provided to the Journal Star by neighborhood and community organizers:

Lincoln

* Meadowlane Pool

Saturday: Meadowlane Pool, a nonprofit, member-supported neighborhood pool on the corner of Lancaster Lane and Meadowdale Drive is having a Fourth of July party open to the public, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Grilled hot dogs; games and prizes for the kids; swimming. Admission: $3.

*5K Run

The Lincoln Jaycees' annual Fourth of July 5K fun run/walk is Saturday at Haymarket Park. Registration starts at 7 a.m., with the run beginning at 8 a.m.

* Cripple Creek Park

Saturday: 5th annual Celebrate America event

9:30 a.m., kids parade and marching band (decorate bikes, yourselves for old-fashioned parade; meet in Fir Hollow Court and head to the park at 9:40 a.m., accompanied by a fife and drum)

10-11 a.m., patriotic program - for all ages (bring blanket or folding chairs). Music, speakers, readings, poetry, prayer. Featured speaker: Bill Federer of "American Minute"

11-11:30 a.m., old-fashioned family games (three-legged race, potato sack hop, relays)

11:30-noon, food at the park shelter house (hot dogs, chips, drinks)

Questions: Nancy Carr, 421-1570, or Mary Hilton, 261-8768.

Directions to park: Pine Lake Road between 40th and 56th; north on Beaver Creek Lane; park on the corner of Fir Hollow and Beaver Creek Lane.

* Havelock

Saturday: 6th annual 4th of July Havelock community block party will be at Havelock United Methodist Church courtyard, 61st and Morrill, from 1 to 3 p.m. This is for all families and friends of the Havelock area. Bounce house, Fire Station No. 5. Games, prizes, free food, live music.

Brownville

Brownville's Freedom Celebration runs from dawn to dusk on Saturday. The full day's schedule can be found at www.brownville-ne.com.

Friday: 7 p.m., First Friday concert, Ember Shrag, Lincoln singer-songwriter, Whiskey Run Winery. Bring lawn chairs.

Saturday: 7-10 a.m., fourth annual Nemaha County Veterans Pancake Feed, 4-H Building, free admission.

Also: barbecue, Spirit of Brownville cruises, Brownville Village Theatre. More information: barbecue, Paul Fish at (402) 825-4301 or paulfish@windstream.net; other events, (402) 825-3591; Spirit of Brownville, (402) 825-6441; theater, (402) 825-4121.

Sunday: 2 p.m., Brownville Lyceum Forum, featuring Omaha-based Bryan Day with avant-garde sound and instruments; 3 p.m., reception, Lyceum Cafe, for Clara Logue, Jefferson, Ga., whose photographic exhibit at the Lyceum opened this week.

DeWitt

Saturday: 9 a.m., car show (downtown); 10 a.m., museum opens; noon, kids games, money dig (block north of fire station), car show judging, cow pie bingo, gun club rock shoot; 1 p.m., kids water fight (fire hall); 1-4 p.m., free swimming; 1-5 p.m., quilt show (senior center); 1:30 p.m,, Sheila Greenland singing, RJ's Bar & Grill; 2 p.m., firefighters' water fight; 3 p.m., "Yesterday's Lady" (Sarah McClain) at library, baseball and softball games; 4 p.m., American Legion barbecue (community center), clowns, face painting, car show judging; 7 p.m., parade (theme - "American Sports"); 8:30 p.m., outhouse racing (ball field); 9:30 p.m., raffle drawings; 10 p.m., fireworks; 10:30 p.m., dance featuring "Cowboy Up" (community center).

Dorchester

Saturday: All day, carp weigh-in contest, Ben's Iron Grill. 9 a.m.-10 p.m., beer garden, Ben's Iron Grill; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saline County Museum open; 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sons of the American Legion barbecue (Legion Hall); 1 p.m., tractor "show and shine" (Main Street, Tyser's); 2 p.m., Auxiliary and Junior Auxiliary pie and ice cream social (Dorchester Grocery); 2:30 p.m., bingo (Community Building); 2:30 p.m., kiddy tractor pull (Joe's Place); 3 p.m., Dorchester Legion balloon release (Legion Hall); 7 p.m., barbecue cook-off (Ben's Iron Grill); 7 p.m., parade; 9:30 p.m., Taekwondo performance (Nerud Field); 10 p.m., fireworks (Nerud Field).

Friend

Friday: Sand volleyball tournament.

Saturday: Rotary Club-sponsored horseshoes tournament; 7 a.m., 5K run (in front of Opera House); 10 a.m., city parade; noon-5 p.m., free swimming, city pool; 3-10 p.m., kids zone in city park (ages 3-10); 4:30-6:30 p.m., Chamber ribfest, teen chamber junior and senior scavenger hunt; 7 p.m., singing by McClellan Sisters (city park), citizen of the year award (city park); dusk, fireworks sponsored by Friend firefighters. Antique tractor show (city park).

Geneva

Geneva gets a head start on most communities with several activities on Friday. The fun continues Saturday and Sunday.

A "Miles for Maddie" poker run Saturday will raise funds for the Down Syndrome Association for Families. Registration is noon to 12:45 p.m. at the VFW Club; kick stands up at 1 p.m. Ride will go to Waco, Osceola, Bradshaw, Sutton and back to Geneva. For more information, call Diane Dailey at (402) 759-3934 or e-mail jdailey@galaxycable.net.

Friday: 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Geneva Museum open; 1 p.m., mud volleyball, 11th and G streets; 1-5 p.m., beer garden; 1-7:30 p.m., swimming, city pool; 3-8 p.m., art, photo exhibit, downtown; 5-8 p.m., food vendors, inflatables; 5 p.m., ping pong ball shoot; 5 p.m., Mason's Windsor loin meal, fire barn; 7 p.m., talent show, Rialto Theatre; 8-11 p.m., teen dance, tennis court; 8-12 p.m., mechanical bull, Ninth Street; 5 p.m.-1 a.m., beer garden; 9 p.m.-1 a.m., free street dance.

Saturday: 7-10 a.m., Boy Scouts pancake feed, fire barn; 8 a.m., Mason's 18-hole golf tournament; 8:30 a.m., fun run/walk/bike, G Street; 9 a.m., art, photo exhibit, downtown; 9 a.m., quilters coffee and cinnamon rolls sale; 9 a.m, Market on the Square; 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Junk in the Trunk flea market, Ninth Street; 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Relay for Life silent basket auction, G Street; 9:30 a.m., Eastern Star bake sale, G Street; 10 a.m., parade, G Street; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., courthouse tours; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., museum open; 11:30 a.m., beer garden; 11:30 a.m., Lions hamburger feed, courthouse lawn; noon-12:45 p.m., poker run registration, VFW Hall; noon, courthouse concert; 1-5 p.m., inflatables, food vendors; 1 and 5 p.m., ping pong ball shoot; 1-7:30 p.m., free swimming, city pool; 2 p.m., cake walk, courthouse lawn; 2 p.m., free fire truck rides, fire barn; 1:30-4:30 p.m., American Legion bingo, VFW Hall; 3 p.m., fun golf tournament, Hidden Hills Country Club; 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus pork barbecue, courthouse lawn; 6:30 p.m., Americana concert, UCC Church (ice cream social follows); after dark, fireworks, fairgrounds.

Sunday: 1 p.m., Memorial trophy shoot, Geneva Gun Club.

Hickman

Saturday: Hickman Community Fireworks, Main Park at dusk (approximately 9 p.m.). Bring your lawn chairs. Fireworks are visible from downtown Hickman, 68th Street, or any Hickman streets. Show sponsored by American Legion and City of Hickman.

In addition, Wagon Train State Recreation Area near Hickman will permit fireworks from 8 a.m. until midnight on Saturday only. Signs at recreation areas will point the way to the fireworks site; boundaries will be marked.

Nebraska City

The Nebraska City Jaycees present their 22nd annual fireworks show Saturday at 10 p.m. at Steinhart Park. The show itself is organized and operated by volunteers and features over 600 aerials as well as 15 ground displays. Finch on the Run DJ will provide accompanying music for the 35-minute show. Rain date: Sunday. Anyone wishing to help with any portion of the show or who wants more information can contact Daryl/Laura Steinman at (402) 873-2061 or at steinman1@windstream.net.

Saturday: noon, concession stand in park open until fireworks show; 1 and 3 p.m., Legion baseball games; 7-9 p.m., ice cream social, Steinhart Lodge; 7 p.m., Southeast Community Band plays (near Steinhart Park Terraces); 9:30 p.m., award winners announced (including coloring contest); 10 p.m., fireworks show.

Nelson

Nelson Fun Days, sponsored by the Nelson Community Club, includes these events (all at Harbine Park except as noted):

Saturday: 7:30-10 a.m., breakfast in the park; 7:30 a.m., fun run/walk; 9 a.m., washerboard tournament; 10 a.m., 6-on-6 co-ed sand volleyball; 10 a.m., horseshoes; 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m., lunch; 1-5 p.m., free swimming; 2 p.m., par 3 golf tournament (golf course); 5-7:30 p.m., hamburger fry by Nelson Fire Department; 5-8 p.m., art in the park; 7 p.m.-midnight, DJ; 8 p.m., obstacle course and bingo. Fireworks at sundown.

Sunday: 1:30 p.m., road rally (south of American Legion)

Otoe

Saturday: 11th annual mud drags, Otoe mud drag field. Registration, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Races start at 2. Sponsor: Otoe Volunteer Fire Department. Food stand, beer garden. Information: Craig, (402) 297-4353.

Seward

Seward, Nebraska's Official Fourth of July City, will stage its 141st July 4 celebration with a variety of new events and past favorites. Most events are Saturday, but there's a pre-party Friday night and some events continue Sunday.

The new activities include a Larry the Cable guy lookalike contest, hot air balloon rides (celebrating St. John School's 125th anniversary), and the musical "Foundations of Freedom."

Back for yet another year are such favorites as the grand parade, apple pie eating contest, concerts and fireworks.

Among Saturday's early events are the Seward Optimist International Club's 10K Freedom Run and 2-mile fun run.

Check-in begins at 6 a.m. at the city swimming pool, with the runs starting at 7 a.m.

Runners this year will be timed using ChampionChip Technology provided by Precision Race Results of Omaha. All runners will receive commemorative chips.

Early registrations were due June 25. Late entry fees are $35 for the 10K and $20 for the two-mile.

For more information, visit www.sewardoptimistclub.orgor contact either Tom Gee (402) 643-6878 or Rick Roth (402) 641-1743.

For a full list of Seward events, visit www.julyfourthseward.com.

Among the highlights:

Friday: 7 p.m., Wissmann Family Singers, bandshell; 7:30 p.m., bull riding, grandstand, fairgrounds; 7:45 p.m., Family Pre-Show, "Foundations of Freedom, the Musical," bandshell; 9:15 p.m., CASA Family Night at the Movies, Plum Creek Park; 9:30 p.m., Random C, live band, fairgrounds beer garden.

Saturday:

Trolley shuttle hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Park at high school. Free map at information booth (northeast corner of Courthouse Square) or online at www.julyfourthseward.com.

6-8 a.m., St. John School's 125th anniversary hot air balloon rides, St. John ball field.

7 a.m. - Breakfasts, VFW Club and Civic Center.

7 a.m. - Great Plains Bicycling Club Family Day bicycle ride.

7 a.m. - Bandshell events: Flag raising, community prayer service, anvil firing.

9 a.m. - Pole vault competition, all ages, Fourth Street between Seward and Jackson; horseshoe pitching tournament, fairgrounds; skateboard competition, skate park; "Foundations of Freedom, the Musical," bandshell.

10 a.m. - Water fight tournament, Third Street between Jackson and Seward.

11 a.m. - Free aerobatic airplane show, airport, featuring Lincoln Aerobatic Club; Larry the Cable Guy lookalike contest, bandshell; antique auto show/exhibit contest judging, Seward Street between Sixth and Eighth.

11:30 a.m. - Bubble gum blowing, apple pie eating contests, bandshell.

1 p.m. -Nationwide bell ringing. Bells will ring 13 times citywide and nationally.

1 p.m. - Live bands in concert, Seward Youth Center, 1-3 p.m.; report on Nebraska's Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., by Susie Huber and participating veterans, VFW Club rooms; Municipal Band concert, bandshell.

2 p.m. - Wissmann Family Singers, Civic Center; Governor's Community Reception honoring Eric Brown, KRVN-Radio, "Nebraska's Friend Award" winner.

4 p.m. - Grand Parade, begins at First and Bradford and goes west on Seward Street to City Park. Theme: "Foundations of Freedom."

5 p.m. - Pork, beef barbecue, north of bandshell, advance tickets at Seward banks, also available on-site; Kiwanis dessert booth/ice cream social, north of bandshell; The Gary Redden Show, classic rock, bandshell.

6 p.m. - Mayor's welcome, bandshell. Crowning Miss Independence and Mr. Firecracker, Seward County Community Service Award presentation, "Nebraska's Friend Award" presentation.

6 p.m. - Hot air balloon rides; assemble 6 p.m., liftoff 7-9 p.m., St. John ball field.

7 p.m. - Gary Redden Show, classic rock, bandshell; Concert in the Park, featuring Tunafish Jones Classic Horn Band, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, Plum Creek Park.

8 p.m. - Parachute jump, Plum Creek Park.

10 p.m. - Fireworks, Plum Creek Park. Bring blanket and chair, walk into the park.

Sunday: 6 a.m. (also 6-8 p.m.), hot air balloon rides, 6-8 a.m., St. John ball field.

3 p.m. - Suzanne Ohlmann, "Songs My Travels Brought Me," Seward Civic Center auditorium.

Waverlyfest

"The Heart of the Community" is the theme for Saturday's Waverlyfest parade, which begins at 11 a.m. Trophies will be awarded for best float and best overall entry, with ribbons given in several other categories.

Other Waverlyfest events, sponsored by the Waverly Jaycees, include:

Friday: 6-9 a.m., Hometown Handshake; 7 p.m., street dance/beer garden, featuring Chad Lee Band, Waverly Plaza.

Saturday: 7-9:30 a.m., Kiwanis/Methodist Men's pancake and french toast feed, First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall; 8:30 a.m., kids parade, Waverly Care Center; 9:30-10:30 a.m., free train rides, Waverly Plaza; 11 a.m., adult parade; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., ice cream social and lunch, Methodist Church; noon-3 p.m., family barbecue, kids games, adult fellowship, Peace Lutheran Church.

Closed for the holiday

In observance of Independence Day, the following places will be closed.

July 3-4

City, county, state and federal offices

State Department of Motor Vehicles

Financial institutions; some may be open, check with individual branches

Lincoln City Libraries

July 4

U.S. Post Offices; no mail delivery.

StarTran, bus services and offices, but there will be shuttle bus service for Uncle Sam Jam, 5-11 p.m. (information, 441-7185).

Financial institutions.

Most support groups and organizations will not meet. Check with individual groups.

The following places will be open.

Lincoln Children's Museum, regular hours

Lincoln Children's Zoo; early closing 3 p.m. July 4.

Nebraska State Capitol, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; tours hourly except noon

Homestead National Monument, regular hours; special program, 7:30 p.m. July 4.