Lake Highlands Fourth of July (Photo by Carol Toler)

Lake Highlands Fourth of July (Photo by Carol Toler)

To the patriotic people of Dallas, Fourth of July holds profound meaning. Here in Lake Highlands it always equals a parade and post-procession party put on by the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands. Families, businesses, nonprofit groups and teams motor all manner of floats and decked-out vehicles, march with banners or dance down Church Road past Lake Highlands High School. This year, former Wildcat and NFL All-Pro Wade Smith will be the grand marshal of the parade. At the end of the route, the convoy pours into the Lake Highlands North Recreation Center’s lot for an entertainment-packed carnival. The parade is on the move by 9 a.m., and the carnival continues until noon. Meet at Lake Highlands North Park, 9229 Church.

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To get  your Fourth of July fireworks fix, you can watch the fireworks over Fair Park from many places around White Rock Lake. The Fair Park fireworks start at 9:45 p.m.

Retired Dallas Police Chief David O. Brown will be at Half Price Books this Thursday, June 29, at 7 p.m. to discuss and sign copies of his memoir “Called to Rise: A Life in Faithful Service to the Community That Made Me.” Numbered passes for specially priced books will be given out Thursday morning starting at 9 a.m.

If you enjoy pounding the pavement in the heat, then head to Winfrey Point Saturday morning at 8 a.m. for the Dallas Running Club‘s Independence Day 5k and 10k races. The race will take you around the lake and up White Rock Trail. Visit dallasrunningclub.com/club_races to register.

Who doesn’t want a treat after they give blood? Hypnotic Donuts is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at 9007 Garland Road, in the parking lot. Those who give blood will receive a T-shirt and a free Hypnotic Donut. For more information or to schedule an appointment time, contact Donna Diehl at 817.343.1249.

White Rock Hills Library will host the Southwest Dairy Farmers mobile classroom, where instructors will demonstrate how to milk a cow, describe how milk makes it from the farm to the consumer and then answer questions from the audience. The dairy experience is brought right to the children, and is targeted for second-eighth graders. The program will be just outside the library this Thursday, June 29 at 11 a.m.

Get your health fix this weekend at the White Rock Market, Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market is at Lake Pointe Church and will have local produce, artisan eats and crafts.

Everything is awesome at the Shops at Park Lane. Gather with picnic blankets for this weekend’s free outdoor movie, “LEGO Batman,” beginning at 8:30 p.m.

Head to the Dallas Children’s Theater this weekend for the opening of “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale.” This Zimbabwe-based Cinderella story has traditional dancing, drumming, and unique African singing. The play runs through July 9 and tickets cost $23-$30.