Since the 1970s Don Belcher's band has been performing in the Fourth of July parade in Roundup, often the only musical group in the annual event.

This year, they've got some competition - the 204th Army Band. Roundup is planning a bang-up party to celebrate its centennial and Belcher, a long-time Roundup resident who celebrated his 90th birthday last week, will be blowing on his saxophone, a passion he says keeps him young. The rest of his band will be there too, including Pat Perrella on drums and Claudia Melcher on keyboards.

"I don't think a parade is a parade without music," Belcher said.

The Don Belcher Band will perform in today's parade in Roundup at 11 a.m., followed by a noon performance at the Roundup fairgrounds. Roundup prides itself in a big Fourth of July celebration, but this year's event is even better, having been a year in the making.

Organizer Bev Eiselein worked with others to bring back Roundup's glory days for its centennial.

"It has been a tradition that people come back for the Fourth," Eiselein said. "We used to have a rodeo that competed with Red Lodge's, but we couldn't get the stock."

So Roundup Independence Days Extravaganza was born - four days of family activities, including nature walks, concerts, and a kids' rodeo. It kicked off Thursday with a picnic and a performance by the Shakespeare in the Parks group from Montana State University.

Today's highlights include a night show that starts at 7 p.m. with performances by The Calhouns, the Alley Cats, and the Clumsy Lovers. It's all at the fairgrounds and ends with fireworks at 10:30 p.m.

Saturday's activities kick off with a 6:30 a.m. bird walk on the newly built Heritage Trail, a loop that connects the Musselshell River with downtown Roundup. Eiselein is especially excited about the inclusion of the 204th Army Band in the parade, followed by a performance by the Army Band at 1:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

"The band is made up of 44 soldiers who come from all walks of life," Eisenlein said. "They'll do march music and classical music. Then at 3:30 p.m. on the Fourth the band will play 'God Bless America' and we'll release 100 balloons."

The Saturday evening concert will include The Crowd Thinners, Patty Clayton, and Gene Watson. Sunday's highlight will be the Buttons and Bows Youth Rodeo at the Ridge Riders Arena, northwest of the swimming pool.

Other events Saturday

• Celebrate Freedom at Castle Rock Park in Billings, 4 to 9:30 p.m. It includes games, inflatables, music by Pine Hill, Damascus, Limited Warranty, Darrin Allen. The barbecue is $2. Activities, free. Fireworks at dark. 259-5648. Harvestweb.net.
• Laurel, 4th of July Celebration & Centennial. Thomson Park. Pancake breakfast at Fireman's Park, 6 a.m. Chief Joseph Run, 6 a.m. Kiddie parade, 10 a.m. Grand Parade, 11 a.m. Concert, 6 p.m., fireworks. 628-8105.
• Big Horn, Wyo., community celebration, 4 p.m., Events Center. Music by Pickin' Chicks and Teka Brock, 6 p.m. Fireworks, 10 p.m., $10 donation requested; benefits Big Horn Lions Club scholarship fund. 307-672-7421.
• Big Sky, Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo. 7 p.m. Fireworks follow. 406-560-6913; Yellowstonerodeo.com.
• Big Sky, Community Celebration. 6 p.m. Meadow Village Concert Stage. Music by Mingo Fishtrap, 7 p.m. Fireworks, 10:15 p.m. Free.
• Bozeman, Celebration 2009. 7-11 p.m. Gallatin County Fairgrounds. Barbecue, car show, concert, fireworks. Admission with button, available at Chamber. 406-582-3270; Bozemanchamber.com.
• Circle, celebration, Circle City Park. Marshmallow roast, 8:30 p.m. Fireworks, 10 p.m.
• Ekalaka, 8:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Belltower Community Hall. Music by Western Sky, fireworks at dark. $5 ages 10 and up, $20 per family.
• Glendive, parade, bump 'n' run, fireworks.
• Harlowton, NRA Rodeo, town festival continue. Parade, 11 a.m., rodeo, 1 p.m. Fireworks at night.
• Hinsdale, Milk River Days and Cowboys' Rodeo continue. Parade, 11 a.m., barbecue; kids' games; cannon, quick-draw pistol shoots; fireworks at night. 406-364-2203.
• Hysham. Parade downtown, noon. Hamburger picnic, games, fireworks at city park. 406-342-5457.
• Jordan, signup for Old Car Poker Run, 7 a.m. Parade, 10 a.m. VFW program, 11 a.m. Horseshoe tournament in Kariotis Park, 1:30 p.m. Ice-cream social at Garfield County Museum, 1:30 p.m. Fireworks at dusk.
• Lambert, parade, 10 a.m. Barbecue, games, activities in park, tractor/car show, Montana Air National Guard flyover. Fireworks, 9 p.m.
• Lame Deer, 4th of July powwow continues.
• Malta, fireworks at dusk, Trafton Park. Maltachamber.com.
• Plevna, 7 a.m. fun run/walk. Centennial Celebration with street dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fireworks at dusk.
• Red Lodge, Home of Champions Rodeo 3 p.m. Parade, noon. 446-1718; Redlodgerodeo.com.
• Sheridan County, Wyo., Prairie Fest continues. Activities and events throughout county.
• Sheridan, Wyo., Fireworks at Big Horn Events Center.
• Sidney, Jaycee's fireworks, dusk, Sidney Country Club.
• Ucross, Wyo., Fireworks extravaganza. Ucross Foundation, 30 Big Red Lane. Gates open at 5 p.m. Kids' games; artists' reception, 5-8 p.m.; music by Tracy Silverman 7:30-9:30 p.m.; fireworks around 9:30 p.m. $2 per car. 307-737-2291.
• Virginia City, fireworks on the hill, 10:30 p.m.
• West Yellowstone, celebration includes down-home fun with barbecue, "Jaws of Life Ride" motorcycle poker run, fireworks. Benefits volunteer fire department. Parade, 5:30 p.m. Music in Town Park follows, free. 406-640-2792.
• White Sulphur Springs, fun run, 6:30 a.m. Bazaar, chalk art festival, 9 a.m. Parade, 11 a.m. Rodeo at fairgrounds, 1 p.m. Activities, barbecue at park. Fireworks, 10 p.m. 406-547-3772.
• Wibaux, Ski Festival continues at the Pierre Wibaux Museum ice cream social, 2 p.m. Fireworks at dusk at fairgrounds. 406-796-2412; wibauxmt@midrivers.com.