MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The 4th of July will be a time for celebrating with friends and family, and there are a number of activities in the Myrtle Beach area to commemorate the Independence Day weekend.

Some parts of the Grand Strand are getting into the spirit early, with events scheduled for this weekend. Below are the dates and times:

• June 27 - 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. - Conway Riverfest Celebration - Riverfront Park in downtown Conway - fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• June 27 and June 28 - 11 a.m. - Festa Italiana - The Market Common

On July 4th, a cupcake eating contest and parades are just a few of the events one can find along the Grand Strand. Below are the times for all 4th of July activities:

• 7 a.m. - Independence Day 8K/5K - The Market Common
• 10 a.m. - July 4th Independence Day Special - Myrtle Waves Water Park
• 10 a.m. - 32nd Annual Murrells Inlet Boat Parade - Garden City Point
• 11 a.m. - 49th Annual Pawleys Island 4th of July Parade - Myrtle Avenue in Pawleys Island
• 1 p.m. - Sixth Annual Salute From The Shore Military Flyover - Myrtle Beach area shoreline
• 2 to 5 p.m. - Fourth Annual Cupcake Eating Contest - Croissants Bistro and Bakery
• 6 to 10 p.m. - Surfside Beach 4th of July Celebration - Surfside Beach Pier
• 7 p.m. - 4th of July Celebration with the Indigo Chorale Society - lawn of the Kaminski House Museum in Georgetown

Below is a list of all fireworks displays along the Grand Strand on July 4:

• 9 p.m. - East Bay Park in Georgetown
• 9 p.m. - USS Yorktown - Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant
• 9 p.m. - Cherry Grove Fishing Pier in North Myrtle Beach
• 9:30 p.m. - Surfside Beach Pier
• 10 p.m. - Second Avenue Pier in Myrtle Beach
• 10 p.m. - Veterans Pier at the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk
• 10 p.m. - Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach
• 10:15 p.m. - Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach

For a complete listing of all events in the Myrtle Beach area, go to www.GrandStrandEvents.com.