Well, the Fourth of July is on a Wednesday this year, which makes it pretty darn impossible for us work-a-day types to enjoy any kind of day trips to express our love of America-loving Independence.

So instead, get your flag-waving patriotism on this weekend with these incredible events that will gear you up for the big fireworks shows on Wednesday. What else are you going to do? Stand at a hot barbecue and grill things until you and the burgers are burned to a crisp? No thank you! Air conditioning for everyone!

On Friday night, the Round Rock Express is hosting its "Folds of Honor" night as a part of the Red, White and Blue Salute going on all week until July Fourth at Dell Diamond. If you love baseball, this is the best way to enjoy America's pastime. Join the Budweiser Pre-game Tailgate Party outside the Diamond before you head in for the game, and at halftime, there will be an organized stadium-wide flip-card salute to our troops and a special fireworks display.

You'll have a chance to grant some independence to sweet, deserving kittens at the 5th Annual Kittypalooza at the new Austin Animal Center on Saturday and Sunday. This all-day party is celebrating the Center's many felines who are looking for new forever homes throughout town. And during this special event, all adoption fees and vaccination costs will be waived. Plus, you'll get a fantastic goodie bag full of supplies for your brand new whiskered family member.

Out in Bee Cave, art vendors and live musicians will be set up across the Hill Country Galleria for the 2012 Independence Day Festival. Guy Forsyth, Will Sexton and the Mike McClure Band are just some of the acts that will take the stage during this star-spangled celebration among the shopping and dining spots at the Galleria. The whole she-bang will end with a fantastic fireworks show over South Austin.

Meanwhile, for you adventurous types, the Red White and Blue Ball takes place under the Central Texas stars out at the Ball Farm in Dale, TX. Located approximately 25 miles southeast of Austin, the Ball Farm provides overnight camping amenities, food trucks, a late-night fireworks show and even a water slide. And the bands include the Wheeler Brothers, Crooks, Shakey Graves, Hello Wheels and Those Nights. Did we mention the giant water slide?

Then on Sunday, the Invincible Czars, those loveable musical history buffs with their symphonic-punk sounds, are throwing an Olde Fashioned Independence Day Picnic at the Scottish Rite Theatre to celebrate the release of their latest CD, 1812 Overture. While it may not technically be an American piece of musical history, it is undeniably badass and does involve cannons being fired throughout. To top it off, the costumed band also welcomes the clowning duo of Schave and Reilly and the Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata into the afternoon of revelry.

And since we're already slightly off topic, there's a kick ass Euro 2012 Watch Party happening Sunday afternoon over at the ND@501 Studios. CultureMap's own resident soccer fanatic Phil West will be providing relevant info, insights and updates throughout the game that culminates the most important sports event for the rest of the world. (The U.S. is too busy celebritizing every other sport on the planet, for some reason...) Whether you love the game or want to know more, watching it on the giant screen is the perfect way to become a lifelong fan.

Well, that should be enough to tide you over until Wednesday, don't you think? Please remember that fireworks are once again legal to use this year, but that doesn't mean you have to go crazy with them. Be smart, be safe and think about why you're proud to be an American, where at least you know you're free. Or whatever.

Bye for now!