Happy Birthday, USA!
Fourth of July is on a Saturday this year? Way to take away a perfectly good three-day weekend.

Not to worry. Whether you're visiting the States this holiday season or looking for some fun in your own backyard, this is a perfect opportunity for AG Goddesses to spend less time (and money) traveling and more time seeking out Independence Day celebrations.

Metromix is a great resource to discovering any and all city shindigs in 36 cities nationwide. Of course the site links to the big metropolitans such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, but even the little guys get some attention: such as Brevard, North Carolina, population 6,725. Metromix just added guides to seven new cities, including Cincinnati, Columbus and the Gulf Coast, each featuring Independence Day celebrations with local flavor.
It’s not just about barbeques and fireworks anymore:

• Northside Rock N’ Roll Carnival, Cincinnati, Ohio: Two days of local folk and rock music set in the midst of fire eaters, aerial arts show, bed of nails, pillow fights, and a drag show.
Event website: http://www.northsiderocks.com/

• July 4th with Cirque Berzerk, Los Angeles: Not to be outdone, a SoCal’s celebration under a massive tent in Chinatown is the modern-day freak show, featuring fire dancers, aerialists and “burlesque beauties.” Dazzled spectators can sip drinks and listen to live music in the café after the show while watching the fireworks shoot into the air from Dodgers Stadium.
Event website: http://www.cirqueberzerk.com

• Red, White & You, Washington, D.C.: We are a cosmopolitan nation, aren’t we? For the club hoppers: K Street Lounge throws a nation’s b-day party to the tunes of Arabic, Bollywood, Persian and Bhangra.
Event website: http://www.desiclub.com/events/listing_popup.cfm?EventID=6657

Have fun as always, goddesses, but since this is a holiday of big crowds and copious alcohol [read: Liberated Libations, and Red, White and Blue Booze Party in D.C.] remember: Go out with your girlfriends, go home with you girlfriends; and if you doubt it, ditch it.