That’s a lot of candles — dating back to 1776, when the Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence and the United States of America was born.

At that time, John Adams reportedly predicted the day would be “celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.”

He was right, judging from all the combustible and edible delights lined up in Wake County this weekend. From Cary to Clayton, we sure know how to throw a birthday party.

Cary

• Get an early start on July 3 at Bond Park, where the Cary Town Band will give a free Independence Eve performance at 7:30 p.m.

• Bond Park will also be hopping on the big day, July 4, beginning with a parent-child fishing tournament at 8 a.m. (register as early as 7:30). Festivities will run through 3 p.m. and include a parade, games and competitions like donut eating and watermelon seed spitting.

Bond Park is located at 801 High House Road. For more information, visit Cary or call 469-4100.

• Afterwards, cruise on down to Koka Booth Amphitheatre, where on July 4 the Town of Cary will host a free fireworks display and a live concert by the North Carolina Symphony.

Folks can start spreading out their blankets and chairs at 3 p.m. on the lakeside lawn. Picnic the day away while waiting for the concert and fireworks extravaganza, starting at 7:30. Expect the live music to create an exciting backdrop to the fiery show in the sky, including songs like John Williams’ “Harry’s Wondrous World” (from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”).

For more information, visit ncsymphony.org or call Audience Services at 733-2750. Koka Booth is located at 8003 Regency Pkwy in Cary. Contact them at 462-2052 or visit boothamphitheatre.com.

Apex

It’s an “olde fashioned” 4th of July in downtown Apex. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., historic Salem Street will be buzzing with carnival games, a cake walk, inflatables, a climbing wall, a giant slide, clowns and jugglers. Kids can decorate their bikes, wagons, scooters — anything without a motor — for Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels. Show up 15 minutes prior to the noon start time across from the Apex Baptist Church and get in line to show off your craziest creation. Helmets are mandatory for those riding a bike.

After the parade, the Apex Fire Department will orchestrate a “splash down.” Use your imaginations for this one as well, but we’re pretty sure it involves getting wet.

For more information, contact Apex Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources at 249-1120.

Morrisville

What better way to start any Saturday than with a pancake breakfast? How about one made by the Morrisville fire department? That’s exactly what’s going down at Morrisville Community Park from 8 to 10 a.m. on July 4. Live entertainment will be on hand, along with the maple syrup.

Tickets are on sale July 1 for a discounted price. Day-of tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children age 12 and younger. For details, visit ci.morrisville.nc.us or call 463-6203.

Holly Springs

Mayor Dick Sears reminds everyone that their Independence Day celebration will be on July 5 this year at Womble Park.

The fun lasts from 5 to 9 p.m., and will include music, food, inflatables, and, of course, fireworks. There will also be a bike and wagon parade with the Holly Springs police department around the baseball fields — so kids are encouraged to bring their most patriotic, or otherwise decorated, bicycles.

Sears added in an e-mail, “there will be crafts for kids, potato sack races, watermelon seed spitting (one of my favorites), face-painting and much more.” You may also want to look your best, because town staff could be shooting footage for their new public access channel on Time Warner Cable’s channel 11.

For more details, visit hollyspringsnc.us or call 552-6221.

Fuquay-Varina

This town is going to party like it’s 1909 for their “Family Fourth of July Celebration” on July 4.

At 1:30 p.m. children can start lining up at the corner of Vance and Spring streets for the Children’s Patriotic Parade.

After the parade, bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Mineral Spring Park. Sit a spell and enjoy old-fashioned games along Spring Street and Spring Avenue from 2:30 to 5, and get some lemonade, hot dogs and ice cream. From 5:30 to 7, shake a leg with the Gerald Parker Jazz Band.

The event is sponsored by the Centennial Commission, celebrating Fuquay-Varina’s 100th birthday. For more information, call 567-3907 or visit fuquay-varina.org.

Clayton

Even though Clayton is outside of our coverage area, their celebration was too special to leave out.

On July 4 and 5, the C3 church will have a “God and Country Weekend Celebration,” honoring our national guard and military families. Festivities on Saturday begin at 6 p.m. and Sunday’s run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Miss North Carolina and former Miss Garner, Amanda Watson, will attend, along with NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon. Vintage military vehicles and helicopters will also be on display.

The church is finishing a project to collect 1,500 boxes of essentials for the soldiers in the N.C. National Guard serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For more details, visit c3church.com or call 934-3551.