Looking for old fashioned, daytime July 4 family fun? Here are 12 places to find it around Raleigh

If you're looking for fireworks, WRAL.com's Out & About section has you covered with an extensive list of fireworks displays across Raleigh, Durham and the region.

But local towns and destinations have lined up plenty of daytime July 4 fun as well. From homegrown parades to watermelon eating contests to crafts and activities, here's where to celebrate the United States (and still get to bed on time).

Raleigh

Joel Lane Museum House

The Joel Lane Museum House's annual Independence Day Open House is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 4, at the downtown Raleigh historic site. Admission is free, but donations are requested. Costumed docents and living historians will be on hand to discuss colonial life. Visitors can write with a quill pen or make a rag doll. There also will be old-fashioned crafts and games for kids, along with free lemonade.

State Capitol

In downtown Raleigh, the historical site's annual July 4 celebration is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 4. The free event includes musical performances, carriage rides, hands-on activities including quill writing and dressing up like a Revolutionary-era citizen, and an outdoor naturalization ceremony for new citizens at noon.

Apex

The town's annual Olde Fashioned Fourth of July is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 4, downtown. It starts with inflatables, a giant slide, carnival games, and continues at noon with a parade for kids 12 and under featuring their decorated bikes, scooters and wagons, and winds up with the famous fire department splash down! (Yep! You'll get wet!)

Cary

The town has two days of activities planned - starting with a concert at Cary Arts Center on the evening of July 3 and a full day of fun planned on July 4 starting at 8 a.m. with a fishing tournament, a parade anybody can join at 10:30 a.m. and all kinds of family contests (think donut eating, seed spitting and so forth) at Bond Park. The day continues at Booth Amphitheatre with an actual Ferris wheel, kids activities, more contests and, ultimately, fireworks.

Carrboro

The town's events begin at 9:30 a.m., July 4, at Carrboro Town Commons and includes a parade starting at 10:50 a.m., along with a kids fun zone and stage.

Clayton

Starting at 4:15 p.m., July 4, the town will offer free family events on the field at Municipal Park, basketball competitions, watermelon and ice cream giveaways and a hose down by the Clayton Fire Department. (It all wraps up with fireworks.)

Durham

Festival for the Eno

The 39th annual Festival for the Eno, a July 4 tradition around here for many, will run for two days July 4 and July 6 at West Point on the Eno park. The event will feature more than 80 artists on five stages, along with lots of crafts and activities for kids. A one-day pass is $23 for adults; and $11 for teens ages 13 to 17. Kids 12 and under are admitted for free.

Childrens' Independence Day Parade

Get to Durham Central Park at 9:30 a.m., July 4, with your bike, trike, wagon or stroller to decorate it with items from The Scrap Exchange. Then join in the parade at 10:30 a.m. After the parade, enjoy a free Popsicle and take a tour of a fire truck. It wraps up at 11:30 a.m.

Fuquay-Varina

At the town's South Park, festivities begin at 6 p.m. and include free kids rides and its popular splash pad. (The evening ends at sundown with fireworks.)

Garner

The town celebrates a day early - on July 3 - with events at Lake Benson Park. It begins at 6 p.m. with free kids rides. (It all ends with fireworks and and an N.C. Symphony concert.)

Rolesville

The fun begins at 5 p.m., July 4, at 121 Redford Place Dr., with food, live music and a children's carnival. Fireworks are schedueld for 9:15 p.m.

Wake Forest

The town has a children's parade starting at 10:30 a.m., July 4, followed by arts and games at Wake Forest Community House from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's all free.