Venues in and around Henderson are getting ready to host celebrations for the Fourth of July

Even though the Fourth of July is in the middle of the week this year, some venues have chosen to honor the holiday with events on the actual day while others have moved the celebration to the weekend.

The city of Henderson is revamping its celebration.

"We are trying to bring it back to a community feel," said Nicole Johnson, a spokeswoman with the city's cultural arts and tourism department.

In past years, the event had been at Basic High School. This year, the event is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 4 at Mission Hills Park, 551 E. Mission Drive.

"We wanted to have a more park feel, and Mission Hills (Park) was available," Johnson said. "This has actually allowed us to do more stuff."

Entertainment is scheduled at three stages in the park. The Randy Anderson Band, a local country group, is one of the groups scheduled to perform .

The Henderson Symphony Orchestra is slated to return to the festival, too.

"They are a fan favorite," Johnson said. "They played down at Lake Las Vegas last year. We had the opportunity to bring them back this year."

For the first time, Henderson is having a battle of the bands competition. Nine bands composed of Clark County high school students will have the chance to showcase their talents and compete for a $1,000 gift card from Guitar Center.

The idea came from one of the cultural arts and tourism board members who wanted to have an activity that would bring the youths out.

"It's a good way to bring people together," Johnson said. "Their friends and families will come out to see them."

The event also is expected to include a three-on-three basketball tournament. The tournament is split into two divisions: those younger than 18 and those older than 18 . Registration is open the day of the event and is $5 per participant.

"Because we are in the park, we could add this event," Johnson said.

Along with entertainment, Johnson said there will be children's activities and food vendors.

"You have your all-American foods like hot dogs and hamburgers," Johnson said. "But we have a variety of other options. I believe it will be provided by local high school groups."

To complete the night, an 18-minute fireworks show, done by Lantis, is expected to go off at 9 p.m.

Parking is available at Foothill High School, 800 College Drive, and a free shuttle service is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m.

For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com.

The Village at Lake Las Vegas

Lake Las Vegas plans to host Independence Day events at 4 p.m. Saturday and July 4 at The Village, 30 Strada Di Villaggio.

"Each day will have the exact same line up," said Julie Barbagallo, the events director. "We are really excited to bring another spectacular event out to Lake Las Vegas."

The only difference is that fireworks are scheduled only for Saturday.

Barbagallo said they decided to do another event on July 4 to help drive weekday foot traffic at The Village.

The events at Lake Las Vegas include concerts on the water - with bands from various backgrounds such as jazz and rock 'n' roll - and barbecue stations from restaurants including Sonrisa Grill and Xing Asian Bistro.

The fireworks company Pyrotecnico is expected to put on the eight-to 10-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m. Saturday.

Admission is free on both days .

Because the events start earlier, Barbagallo wants people to take the heat into consideration .

"It is going to be really hot outside," Barbagallo said. "People should come prepared."

For more information, visit lakelasvegas.com.

Boulder City Damboree Celebration

Boulder City is continuing with its 64th annual Boulder City Damboree Celebration from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4.

The daylong event is scheduled to inculde a parade, which starts at 9 a.m. and runs from Colorado Street to Broadbent Memorial Park.

Water Play, which allows float riders in the parade and bystanders to battle in a water fight with squirt guns and water balloons, is slated to start at 9 a.m. from Aztec Place to Avenue B and the end of Sixth Street. People can participate in the fight only in the designated zone.

The celebration also is scheduled to feature food, games, entertainment, a flag-raising ceremony, a performance of the national anthem and a water fight. Events are scheduled at Bicentennial Park, 1100 Colorado St.; Broadbent Memorial Park, 1301 Fifth St.; and Veterans Memorial Park, 1650 Buchanan Blvd.

The fireworks show is scheduled for 9 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park.

For more information, visit bcnv.org.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.