The biggest Fourth of July celebration in the Last Frontier takes place in the heart of Anchorage. The party always starts early on July 3rd, not just because the city loves a good festival, but because it’s critical to take advantage of 19 straight hours of sunlight. Start your holiday at Eagle River with a party hosted by the local Lions Club with live music, plenty of food, and family-friendly games. Fireworks explode as the sun disappears for just a few hours.

You’ll want to take advantage of those few hours of darkness post-fireworks to gear up for the official Anchorage Delaney Park Strip 4th of July festival. For the most ambitious of partiers, you can take this time to drive two hours south to Seward for their 12:01 a.m. Fourth of July fireworks.

The pancake breakfast in Anchorage starts at 8 a.m., then it’s off to the parade at 11 a.m. Immediately following this all-American tradition, the party keeps going from 12 – 6 p.m. with food, games and live music.

Red, White and Woo!

At the Delaney Festival, the Harvard Club reads the Declaration of Independence at 1 p.m. Throughout the party, you’ll spot revelers in Revolution-period costumes wandering from booth to booth. (Go ahead and ask—they love selfies.) The fireworks begin at dusk, and there are plenty of options for dinner as local chefs compete to whip up the most decadent of dishes.

The annual Alaska Baseball League doubleheader takes place at 7 and 9 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium, with fireworks marking the culmination of the friendly rivalry.