Effusive fireworks displays, barbecues, ubiquitous red, white and blue, parades in every town. These represent the United States of America's celebration of independence from Great Britain, after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Many in the African Diaspora experienced independence from colonial masters, and it comes as no surprise that they take their July 4th celebrations very seriously and go way beyond the simple picnic in the park. From boat cruises to all-weekend celebrations to conventions these are some of the ways many will be celebrating Independence Day in a state near you:

The Gambia

What: Agera July Fourth Events 2007
When: Friday 07.06.07 -- Sunday 07.08.07
Where: Adam's Recreation Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Atlanta, Georgia
Contact: www.agera-gam.org

Ghana

What: DJ Kofi'sWelcome to DC Party, Island Party, Grand Finale
When: Friday 07.06.07 --Saturday 07.07.07
Where: Various Maryland locations
Contact: www.ghana4thjulyparties.com/events.html

Kenya

What: Kenyan Community Abroad Annual Conference and 10th Anniversary
When: Friday 07.06.07 --Sunday 07.08.07
Where: 400 Pencader Way, Newark, Delaware
Contact: www.kenyansabroad.org

Kenya

What: Kenyan Association of Central Ohio Picnic at the Zoo Day
When: Saturday 07.14.07
Where: Columbus, Ohio
Contact: www.kaco-us.com

Nigeria

What: APUNJ Ikeji Celebration --food, drinks, dances and laughs promised
When: Saturday 07.14.07
Where: Sacred Heart Jesus Church, 537 Grove St., Irvington, New Jersey
Contact: www.apunj.org

Uganda

What: Saba Saba Boat Cruise
When: Saturday 07.07.07
Where: 525 South Main Street and St. Croix River, Stillwater, Minnesota
Contact: www.umojasociety.org

Picnics and events much later in the summer:

Ghana

What: NCOGA Annual Picnic
When: Saturday 08.04.07
Where: Orange County Fairgrounds, New Jersey
Contact: www.ncoga.com

Liberia

What: Independence Day Soccer Game
When: Saturday 07.28.07, 6 p.m.
Where: Mercer County College Sports Complex, West Windsor, New Jersey
Contact: www.limany.org/july2607.html

Send us the ways you will be celebrating!