Fireworks are one of the most iconic events associated with the 4th of July. However, you must wait until the sun sets in order to truly take pleasure in the colorful explosion. This Saturday, why don't you bide your time at Golden Gate Park for two exciting events sure to please?

From 1pm to 2:30pm, music lovers are treated to the Patriotic Music Concert courtesy of the Golden Gate Park Band. This special event will take place at the Bandstand in the Music Concourse. With Americana and patriotic tunes filling the air, all you have to do is sit back and relax. Open to all, this free event is perfect for families looking to get out and take advantage of San Francisco's natural surroundings. For future band performances, check out http://www.goldengateparkband.org/Upcoming_Concerts.html.

For your second event, start at Frankenart Mart (located on 515 Balboa St. @ 6th Ave.) before heading over to Golden Gate Park for an explosion of fun. Transport back to your childhood with the "Elementary School Track and Field Day," where you can indulge in a Frisbee toss, water balloon toss, and three-legged races. Join in the Hot Dog Relay Races for a real laugh. Do well, win an event, and take home a ribbon. This free event is open to the public – from 1 pm to 5 pm. At the end of the festivities, return to the Mart for free hot dogs (beef and veggie).

On Sunday, June 28th, 2009, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park will serve as the location for the Sarcoma Alliance 5k and 10K Walk with picnic to follow. Beginning at 9am, walkers, runners, and spectators will gather at Lindley Meadow to raise awareness and funds for a disease that attacks the soft tissues of the body.

Course Details

The 5K and 10K courses begin at Lindley Meadow – located just off of JFK Drive. Crossing into Chain of Lakes Drive, participants will continue on JFK Drive and bear right to the Great Highway. Heading south, re-entry into the park takes place at Martin Luther King Drive. A short trail leads to a crossing on Chain of Lakes Drive, where a marked trail heading towards the Polo Fields will appear. Travel along the north side of Polo Fields and follow the trail going towards Crossover Drive. Upon arriving at JFK Drive, head west to return to Lindley Meadow. The 10K run repeats the same loop.

With a mission "to extend and improve the lives of sarcoma patients through accurate diagnosis, improved access to care, guidance, education and support," you can show your support by participating in the Sarcoma Alliance's Spirit of Survival West 2009. Keep in mind that online registration ends on June 26th at 11:59pm. Registration costs $30. For more details, check out http://www.sarcomaalliance.org.

Did someone say a free concert is going on at Golden Gate Park on June 21, 2009? From 12pm to 5pm, head for Speedway Meadow located on Transverse Drive at John F Kennedy Drive to enjoy music and other exciting, 'high-flying' possibilities.

Summer is approaching and what better way to celebrate ice cream cone days and endless sunshine than to spend a day surrounded by the music of Gavin Rossdale (yes, the former lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Bush and current husband to No Doubt's Gwen Stefani) and Sugar Ray. The music of Matt Nathanson and Parachute will also entertain you throughout the day.

A high-jinx circus trapeze will also be on site. Some people will even have a chance to experience a little high-flying themselves…with a safety net below, of course. If you're interested, you better get there early to sign up, as space is limited.

The event also gives you a chance to win a cool prize – his and her Raleigh Retroglide NX3 bicycles from Mike’s Bikes. Simply drop by Alice's booth to enter. Another special feature of the event is Alice’s GreenThing area, where you can learn more about the New Green Economy, saving money, improving your health, and solving environmental issues. For more information, check out http://www.radioalice.com/pages/427796.php

On June 14th, 2009, hundreds of survivors and caregivers will gather at the Golden Gate Park to walk, raise funds, and increase awareness for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. From 8am to 12pm, the Music Concourse (Bandshell) will serve as the location for registration, starting point, and post-walk celebration for the event.

The Lymphomathon is a non-competitive 5K walk that gives survivors, family, friends, members of the community, and corporate teams an opportunity to walk in honor and in memory of the lives who have been affected by a disease that attacks the immune system. As a fund-raising event, participants work towards supporting the Lymphoma Research Foundation's goal of putting an end to lymphoma and assisting patients and family battling the aftermath of the disease.

Be sure to look out for the entertaining bodywear of participants, as the Lymphoma 5K-Walk will award prizes to captains of the top two teams that display the most creative team t-shirts. This year, the most decorated doggie T-shirt at the walk will also take home honors.

The Schedule of Events includes:

• Registration (8am - 9am)
• Lymphoma Walk (9am - 10:30am)
• Post Walk BBQ & Live Music (10:30am - 12pm)

For more information, contact the Lymphoma Research Foundation by calling 800-235-6848 or emailing events @ lymphoma.org.