LUMBERTON — If you can’t wait to celebrate July Fourth, you don’t have to.

There will be three celebrations in Robeson County on Friday, including an annual event at Lumberton High School that attracts thousands of people.

Rennert kicks off the festivities with a bikeathon at 7 a.m. Friday. A parade will follow at 10 a.m. Later in the day, Maxton and Lumberton start the build up to firework shows, which will be at 9:30 p.m. Maxton begins at 4 p.m. with food, games and live entertainment in Beacham Park on South Austin Street.

Lumberton’s celebration kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with entertainment at the Lumberton High School’s Alton C. Brooks Stadium. Recreation Department Director Tim Taylor said Autumn Walters will perform her comedy routine, Little Miss Minnie Pearl. Contemporary gospel music and other musical selections will be provided by Teachers of Grace, Brianna Godwin and Sam Holloway.

After a welcome from Mayor Ray Pennington, the Robeson County Fireman’s Association will present the flag. A parachute freefall team from Fort Bragg will perform. The show concludes with the Lumberton Emergency Rescue Unit raffle and a piece called “Sparkling Patriotic Fourth” by the North Carolina Children’s Theatre.

“There’ll be some other people who say some things as you always do at these things,” Taylor said.

The celebrations continue Saturday in Pembroke, St. Pauls and Parkton.

In Pembroke, Lumbee Homecoming presents a 5K run/walk at 6 a.m.; car show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; parade at 10 a.m.; powwow at noon and a gospel concert at 6 p.m. Food, drink, art and craft vendors will be scattered at the Lumbee Regional Development Association’s property at 636 Prospect Road in Pembroke.

St. Pauls will ignite fireworks at 9 p.m. on McLean Street.

Parkton’s 48th annual Independence Day celebration will be “just an old-time Fourth of July,” said Fran Meinert, event organizer for the Parkton Ruritan Club. The event will include a ceremony at 9:15 a.m. in Times Square, a parade at 11:30, a gospel sing and the 71 Junction band following the parade, a watermelon scramble, dunking tank and vendors.

“We try to have a nice, safe Fourth of July for the people,” said Meinert, who has helped plan the event for 36 years. “Come enjoy the day. It doesn’t cost them nothing, except for their food.”