They're not as reliable as calendars, but the lines of chairs chained to signposts along Pennsylvania Avenue near Gen. Joseph Warren Park should serve as local notice that the 4th of July is not far off.

On the lineup are fireworks, barbecue, entertainment, a firemen's water battle, tug of war, and, of course, the parade.

For the 62nd year, the 4th of July Parade will highlight the festivities.

"At 11 a.m., the 62nd annual 4th of July Parade gets under way featuring Preston Scout House Alumni Band from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada," Parade Chairman and Emcee Wally Post said. "The parade also features eight marching bands, 25-plus floats, drill teams, dance teams, Shriners, local fire departments, plus much, much more."

The Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration actually kicks off on Friday, July 3.

Festivities start at noon at Betts Park, according to Old Fashioned 4th of July Committee member Jen Rossey.

A pig roast by Hog Wild BBQ Co. begins at noon and runs until 9 p.m.

The tug of war under the direction of Warren County Council on Tourism Director John Papalia Jr. starts at 3 p.m.

Musical entertainment opens at 5:30 with Matt Maloof and the Contraband, followed by Black Widow at 7:30.

Lindsey Cardinale, a Season 4 American Idol finalist, is also expected to perform on Friday in addition to her scheduled concert on Saturday.

On Saturday, the forming area for the parade opens at 8 a.m. at the YMCA, Post said.

The eighth annual pre-parade show at the Fourth of July parade in Warren will open with the Preston Scout House "Silver Leaves Ensemble" playing the Canadian National Anthem.

According to the Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Committee, vocalists at the pre-parade show will include Mary Beth Whiting, Devon Meddock, Jenny Herman and Jim Cheronis.

Cardinale will sing the National Anthem.

Tickets for bleacher seating across from the reviewing stand near General Joseph Warren Park are on sale at the Struthers Library Theatre office and United News. Tickets can also be purchased by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope along with payment to Wally Post, 429 Hickory St., Warren 16365. Tickets, which are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the parade, include lunch, a grand prize ticket and preferred seating for the pre-parade show and parade.

The events at Betts Park will open again at 3 p.m. Saturday with a chicken barbecue by Ray Nelson.

Rossey expects full-face painting to be a popular stop at the park. "She does the whole face," she said. "It looks like a whole mask when she's done."

There will be a beer tent at the park and other vendors will provide food at the park and parade on Friday and Saturday, Rossey said.

At 3:30, the Firemen's Water Battle will pit local firefighters in tests of skill.

The musical entertainment includes Preston Scout House at 4 p.m., Cardinale at 5:30, and Innocent Bystander at 7.

The fireworks will be set off by Zambelli International starting at 10 p.m.

"They are the premier fireworks company in the world," Post, who is also the committee's general chairman, said. "They shoot all the big shows."

The Grand Prize drawing will follow the fireworks and wrap up the weekend's festivities.