The Holiday Weekend Wrap-up

From fireworks to free concerts, there's lots going on in Westport this weekend as part of the Fourth of July festivities.

Use this guide to help plan your weekend.

Kick it off with fireworks on Friday — yes, Friday. In keeping with town custom, the "Look up in the sky!" event comes early to this part of Fairfield County. The always-anticipated  fireworks display begins at approximately 9:15 p.m., and is sponsored by the Westport Police Athletic League.

Ticketholders can gather at Compo Beach beginning at 5 p.m.; the beach will be closed to the public at 4. All tickets must be purchased in advance and are currently on sale at the Westport Parks and Recreation office during business hours, and also at police headquarters any time. The cost is $30 per car. The rain date is Tuesday, July 6.

The Westport Arts Center continues its 2010 Solos Show now through July 25. The juried exhibition of work by selected artist members of the Westport Arts Center features Harriet Diamond, Michael Elsden, Michele Gage, Claire Garcia, Mary Jo Lombardo, Barbara Salinas, Forrest Solis and Megan Youngquist in the Main Gallery. For more information, contact Westport Arts Center at 203-222-7070, www.westportartscenter.org, or visit the gallery M-F, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun. from 12 to 4 p.m., at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport.

The Field of Flags displayed at Saugatuck Congregational Church is a must-see by July 6. A scheduled flag placement event will take place at noon Sunday, July 4, at the church's great lawn. Organizers expect at least 1 additional flag will be placed on the field of 5,536 American flags, and pray there will be no others. Elected officials have been invited to attend and speak. The church is located at 245 Post Rd. E. in Westport.

Got a picnic planned? Grab any last-minute picnic and barbecue items from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Farmers Market behind Saugatuck Congregational Church. Items available include boundless produce for salads; grass-fed organic beef, bacon and sausage for grilling;  gluten-free and vegan cupcakes, along with other baked goods, to top off the meal; and numerous other items such as local honeys and hand-made soaps.

The Levitt Pavilion has a holiday lineup this weekend of shows Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights, as part of its 50 summer concerts under the stars. Tonight at 8 p.m., the Levitt is featuring the Air Force Band of Liberty, a dynamic 40-piece ensemble that performs the best of traditional and contemporary patriotic music. Friday, the Levitt is not hosting a concert so residents can enjoy the fireworks. At 8 p.m. Saturday, the Levitt is featuring Aztec Two-Step. At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the J. Geils/Gerry Beaudoin will perform.

Don't forget the Beach!

Sherwood Island State Park is open for business.

You can also head for the shoreline at Longshore Sailing School, which just happens to be celebrating its 50th anniversary on Friday. This weekend, the public is invited to stop by for a free showing of the official 26-minute Longshore Club Park video history in HD on a continuous loop.

While there, kick back with a kayak, sailboat or stand-up paddleboard. Watercraft are available for rent each day; no classes are scheduled, however.  

And here's a tickler: If all Longshore Sailing School students (nearly 60,000 in 50 years) were laid end to end, they would reach from Longshore to the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. 

Attention Patchers: If you know of a local event we should add here, we appreciate your comments. Send them to liz@patch.com.