Thousands are expected to converge on the amphitheater this evening. Vocal Trash will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Despite its name, the well-known Dallas area band performs family-oriented material. As dusk arrives, the Big Spring Symphony and Chorus will begin a variety of songs, including many with a patriotic theme. About 9:45 p.m., one of the area's largest fireworks display will get under way.

Pops committee members believe this year's show will draw the largest crowd yet, weather permitting.

“The committee has managed to expand the show, making it bigger and better every year and we’re trying to do that this year by adding Vocal Trash as the opening act,” said Jan Hansen, Pops director. “The crowd has continued to grow over the years, too. So, we’re expecting to have a great overflow audience this year. Hopefully it will be the biggest we’ve ever had.”

Along the way, there will be a video salute to military veterans and some special activities which will remain under wraps until the show begins, Hansen said.

The symphony performance will be directed by Dr. Keith Graumann, and choreographed with the fireworks, as usual.

Food and drink vendors will be selling all types of refreshments.

There is no admission fee for Pops in the Park. Funds to put on the show are donated each year by businesses and individuals.

Organizers suggest those attending enter Comanche Trail Park through the Wasson Road entrance to ease traffic problems.

Patriotic festivities continue Friday. In fact, making all of the events is somewhat of an impossibility. For one thing, they all begin at 10 a.m.

Parades kick off Independence Day in Howard County, both in Big Spring's Highland Drive addition and at Coahoma. Line-up for both events begins at 9:15 a.m., and both take entries right up until they start.

The Highland Parade begins at the corner of Robb and Highland Drive and will end at Goliad and Highland Drive. Drawing approximately 75 participants — mostly kids and pets — there will be awards for bicycles, walkers, strollers, motorized vehicles and four-wheelers. Residents can join in by decorating their mailboxes. Immediately following the parade, Center and Praise, a group from the First United Methodist Church, will perform.

Over in Coahoma, line-up for the Freedom Parade will begin at the football field parking lot at the north end of N. First Street. Once under way, the parade will roll south, all the way to the I-20 frontage road.

Cars, tractors, bicycles, motorcycles, floats and just about anything else can join in the parade, which has been going on about 15 years. Grand marshals for the event are veterans Larry Truman Pherigo, Donald Bennett McKinney and Wendell Shive.

Also beginning at 10 a.m. Friday will be the Funtastic Fourth Festival in Big Spring's Heart of the City Park. Dedicated to “God and Country,” organizers have promised live music from start to finish — about 10:30 p.m.

“This is our gift to the community,” said Allan Johnson, spokesperson for the Downtown Revitalization Association, which sponsors the event. “This isn't a fund-raiser or anything like that. In the end, the DRA is lucky if it even breaks even. We just want to stir up the excitement in downtown Big Spring. We feel like if we can get the energy and determination up in the downtown area — if we can get the right kind of attitude growing — we'll see the kind of revitalization we've been working for.”

Headline musical performers will be Christian groups Shane and Shane, Crimson Soul and  Barabbas, which won last weekend's Knockout Battle of the Bands here.

Barabbas is to perform from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., Crimson Soul  from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. and Shane and Shane from 9 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

Local and area groups and churches will provide gospel music throughout the day.

“The gospel music is one of the best parts of the festival,” said Johnson. “We've had more churches contact us this year and ask to participate than ever before. We're very pleased to see the community come together for the event.”

Organizers said more than 50 vendors have signed up to have wares at the event and there will be day-long rides and activities for children and a washer pitching tournament for adults, to begin about 1 p.m.

Staff writer Thomas Jenkins contributed to this story.