ApologetiX, a Christian parody band, will be perform at North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The band ApologetiX specializes in Biblical parodies of rock hits from yesterday and today, including everything from Elvis to Eminem. The band takes its name from the word "apologetics," meaning the defense of the Christian faith.

ApologetiX has received the American Christian Music awards for Alternative Artist of the Year and Alternative Song of the Year.

Tickets are $10 in advance and may be purchased at www.nrnazarene.org using Paypal. They are also available at the door on Saturday for $15.

Call 870-1141 for more information.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS

If you play your cards right, you can catch not one, not two but three fireworks displays for this year's Independence Day.

Wake Forest kicks things off on Thursday at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School's Trentini Stadium.

The Band of Oz, a popular beach music band, will headline the celebration, which will be capped with a 20-minute fireworks show. Other acts will include Don Carrington's Parachute Team, the Friendship Chapel Choir and the Bull City Garage Band.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and admission is $5. Children ages 6 and under are admitted free. Advance tickets will be available throughout Wake Forest, and as a special offer, if buy four tickets in advance and get your fifth ticket free.

But Wake Forest's celebration doesn't end Thursday night. On Friday, there will be a children's parade down North Main Street. Line-up starts at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, and the parade is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

After that, starting at 11 a.m., there will be arts and games at Holding park, 133 West Owen Avenue. Children of all ages can create cool arts and crafts projects and participate in games and activities that include a watermelon seed spitting contest, sack races and tug-of-war.

For more information about any of the Wake Forest events, contact Rhonda Alderman at (919) 812-9121 or visit the town's Web site, www.ci.wake-forest.nc.us.

So that's one fireworks display, and I promised you three.

Next up would be Friday's big show at the N.C. Fairgrounds.

This is the city's celebration, and there will be food vendors, games, inflatable rides, live stage and roving entertainment.

Country music singer Holland Marie will provide a special musical performance on the main stage on the Midway at 7:30 p.m. Marie won the Fox 50 2006 Gimme The Mike contest.

Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Be sure to take lawn chairs and blankets for the main stage concert. Seating is not provided. Gates open at 2:30 p.m., and event kicks off at 3 p.m.

The third fireworks display will be Saturday at Brier Creek Commons. They are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. and coincide with a sidewalk sale at shopping centers near the interstection of U.S. 70 and Brier Creek Parkway.

Happy third, fourth and fifth of July.

AUTHOR EVENT

The North Regional branch of the Wake County Public Library will host author William Boswell for a presentation and Q&A session on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Boswell will provide tips and techniques for getting ahead in your job search. He will also promote his new book, "Success by Instinct: Use What Animals Already Know to Boost your Career."