The weather forecast for the weekend looks good.

Time to get Old Glory out of the closet and fly the American flag.

Let freedom ring, let the Fourth of July games begin.

The 2008 Spamtown USA Freedom Fest celebration begins today with Family Day in the Park activities.

On Saturday, the three-day celebration wraps up with the 5 Mile Hog Jog, 25 Mile Dan Ulwelling Memorial Bike Race and the Austin Jaycees Street Dance.

Sponsored by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, a crowd of 20,000 people is expected to watch the Independence Day parade, but events at the Austin Community Bandshell Park, including an Austin Symphony Orchestra concert are also expected to draw huge crowds.

Family Day in the Park begins at 2 p.m. today.

The sponsors plan family fun for everyone, including slides, rides and carnival games by Baldy’s Games. There will be 13 food and refreshment vendors on the grounds.

There will also be wandering magicians, jugglers and clowns, plus an arts and crafts show.

The Bandshell Park stage has a full lineup of entertainment, beginning with Jane Taylor Dancers, 2 p.m.; the Children’s Freedom Fest Parade, 2:45 p.m.; Bridget’s Dance Conservatory, 3:30 p.m.; Ed and Sena Ehrhardt, 4:30 p.m.; Fresco Joe’s Talent Contest winner, 5:45 p.m.; Paul Pruitt’s “Let Freedom Sing” variety show, 6:30 p.m.; and the Austin Community Band in concert, 8:30 p.m.

The opening day of the Freedom Fest celebration is capped by a fireworks display by Flashing Thunder.

Not to be ignored is the Bobee Jo’s Eastside Street Dance, beginning at 8 p.m.

Participants must be 21 or older. Admission is free and the music will be live.

Come early to get a choice seat at curbside for the Independence Day Parade Friday.

The route will take more than 90 parade units down North Main Street, starting at Austin Packaging Company and moving south to Bandshell Park.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. Friday, but the silver anniversary Mini Piggy Mile Race starts the fun for children at 10:45 a.m.

When the parade ends, he welcoming and flag-raising patriotic ceremonies begin at 1:30 p.m. at the park stage.

Westminster Presbyterian Church of Austin will host a free ice cream social from 2 to 4 p.m. in Austin Community Bandshell Park on Independence Day.

The Minnesota Over 60 band will perform in concert at 2 p.m. followed by the Spamettes at 3:15 p.m. and Miss Austin Sara Larson at 4 p.m. Friday. The Austin Big Band entertains from the stage at 5 p.m. followed by the Bissen Brothers Band at 6:30 p.m.

There will be prize drawings and announcements at 8 p.m. Friday.

Then, one of the Freedom Fest’s single most popular events takes place: a concert by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

The day is capped by another fireworks display over Lafayette Park and the Cedar River.

Throughout Independence Day, there will be more wandering minstrels, jugglers, clowns and magicians plus the 13 food and refreshment vendors.

A second night of the Austin Eastside Street Dance continues Friday night, beginning at 8 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule starts with the 5 Mile Hog Jog beginning with registration at 7:45 a.m. at East Side Lake Park. The race begins at 9 a.m.

The 25 Mile Dan Ulwelling Memorial Race starts with registration at 11 a.m. Saturday and the race at noon from J.C. Hormel Nature Center.

There’s also a kids fishing contest starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday with registration. There is a $2 entry fee to compete, but there will be prizes for all.

The last Freedom Fest event is the Austin Jaycees Street Dance, 7:30 p.m. to midnight in downtown Austin. Kendall Meyer and Common Ground headline the dance. There is a $5 per person admission or tickets may be purchased in advance at the Chamber office, five for $20. All proceeds benefit the Austin Jaycees’ community betterment programs.

Meyer’s latest CD “Man Behind the Wheel” has debuted to critical acclaim and the artist has garnered acclaim from Nashville’s Music Connection magazine. For more information, go online to www.kendallmeyer.com

Anyone wanting to help support the Freedom Fest celebration may purchase $2 raffle tickets and win a trip for two to Las Vegas or one of two $300 shopping sprees.

And the morning after the three days of Freedom Fest fun, the Austin Morning Lions will host their annual Fly-In Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Austin Municipal Airport.