(Note: Pease click the above photo to see a map of the Burien Independence Day Parade route)

Fuel prices have inched down slightly but still not enough to justify unnecessarily filling up the old gas-guzzler to search far and wide for family-friendly Fourth of July activities.

Especially when there is an explosion of Highline holiday happenings on Monday July 4, right in your own backyard.

Burien

The City of Burien and the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce are excited to present the 90th Annual Burien Independence Day Parade.

The Burien Independence Day Parade has gained a reputation as one of the most enjoyable and spirited community parades in the region. Community pride will shine with marching bands, energetic dance teams, elaborate floats and vintage autos.

Downtown Burien boasts a charming mix of business, retail and restaurants, coupled with the new Town Square and City Hall.

Everyone is invited to come and be a part of this longstanding Burien tradition.

The parade begins at 3 p.m. at Ambaum Blvd. S.W. and S.W. 149th St. The route will head south on Ambaum, east on S.W. 153rd, north on 4th Ave. S.W., then west on S.W. 152nd.

This year, the parade Grand Marshal will be Georgette Valle, former state representative and Burien City councilwoman.

Valle became a state representative in 1964. State issues she championed include the clean air act, no smoking in public places, equal rights education bill and recycle bins. Returning from service to the state, she became a City Council member in 1998.

Valle and her Norwegian husband, Odd Valle, made their first stateside home in Burien in an apartment named Burien Gardens, now known as The Heights. With Odd as a dentist and Georgette as the office manager they became the third dental practice in the Highline area.

The Valles began to contribute locally at once. They are widely recognized as the founders of the Burien/SeaTac Lions Club and are faithful members to this day.

Now in retirement Georgette and Odd divide their time between Burien and a home in Arizona. Wherever she goes, Georgette gets involved locally and really makes a difference.

The Boeing Company, Burien Toyota, Burien/White Center Rotary Club, Car Pros Burien Nissan and Seahurst Dental Design/Jim Coleman, DDS sponsor the parade. The media sponsor is the B-Town Blog.

Partners for this event are the city of Burien and the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce.

For questions about the parade, contact the Chamber at 206-575-1633 or email staff@swkcc.org.

Des Moines

A 20-minute fireworks display will be featured over the Des Moines Marina, 22307 Dock Ave., beginning at 10 p.m.

The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with a live broadcast by 100.7 FM The Wolf and food from Billy McHale's and the Dog House at the Marina north parking lot. Participants are encouraged to bring picnic supplies, lawn chairs or blankets.

A $1 donation is requested, but not required, at entry points. No personal fireworks, alcohol, portable barbecues, pets or vehicles will be allowed inside the gated areas at the marina north parking lot or Beach Park.

Powell Custom Homes and Renovations has been sponsoring the fireworks since 200. The event is produced by Destination Des Moines and the city of Des Moines Marina.

Donations are being sought for the community event. To donate by mail, send a check for the Fireworks Over Des Moines Fund, payable to Destination Des Moines at 22506 Marine View Dr., Suite 301, Des Moines 98198.

For information, call 206-824-5700.

Normandy Park

Residents of Normandy Park will celebrate with a fun run, children's parade, and ice cream social.

The 2.8K fun run begins at 10:25 a.m. at Marvista Elementary and goes to Shoremont Avenue The run is free but pre-registration is recommended by visiting www.npcove.org.

The children's parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Marvista and goes to the Normandy Park Cove but participants can join in anywhere along the route. Classic cars, floats, wagons, bicycles, strollers, horses and marching bands are encouraged but campaigning or political signs are not.

Children are encouraged to decorate their bikes for the parade and have them judged in the designated area near the Cove tennis courts. The Normandy Park Arts Commission will award prizes for "Best Patriotic Decorations."

Following the parade, there will be an ice cream social at the Cove.

SeaTac

The city of SeaTac and the Angle Lake Shore Club are co-sponsoring a fireworks display over Angle Lake, beginning at 10 p.m.

Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Blvd., will remain open late as a public viewing spot. Overflow parking is available at the Alaska Airlines parking lot, just north of the park.

Tukwila

More fireworks are on tap at the Family 4th at the Fort. The display begins at 10 p.m. at Fort Dent Park, 6800 Fort Dent Way.

The park opens at 9 a.m. with family activities beginning at 6 p.m., including inflatable bouncers and slides, and an entertainment stage.

The Game Theater, a giant truck and trailer, will contain interactive games.

Park-goers can pack their own picnic or purchase food from vendors. Barbecues are allowed only in designated areas.

For more information, call 206-768-2822.

Tukwila Museum of Flight

Members of Skyway Post 9430 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will honor the nation's 234th birthday with a salute to all 27 official versions of the American flag. From the first 13-star flag of 1777 to today's 50-star flag, VFW members will present stories about the symbolism of each version.

The presentations will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the William M. Allen Theater at the museum, 9404 East Marginal Way.

The VFW's program is free with paid admission to the museum.