Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens' Fourth of July Celebration is an extravaganza of Americana featuring performers, activities, refreshments, crafts and more. Houston Public Radio personality Eric Ladau emcees, with drawings throughout the afternoon for prizes from Bayou Bend and KUHF/KUHA.

Performance schedule:

• 1-3:30 p.m.  - Texas Army Fife & Drum Corps
• 1:15 p.m. - Selections of American music
• 2:30 p.m. - Paragon Brass Ensemble "Great American Brass Songs"
• 3:15 p.m. - John Keahey reads the Declaration of Independence
• 3:45 p.m. - Mark Seale Trio "American Folk Standards"

Activities schedule:

• Soldiers of the Revolutionary War: Historical re-creator John Keahey and a team of interpreters take you back in time for a look at the uniforms, equipment and weapons used on both sides to fight the American Revolution. (1-3 p.m. and 4-4:45 p.m.)
• House Tours: Visit the first floor of the historic home to see furnishings and art from Philadelphia, Boston and other major sites of the Revolutionary War (1-3 p.m.).
• Crafts: Make your own flag, paint watercolor fireworks and more (1-3 p.m. and 4-4:30 p.m.).
• Giant Declaration of Independence: Use a quill pen to add your signature to an oversize copy of Thomas Jefferson's historic document (1-5 p.m.).
• Flag Hunt: Pick up a scavenger-hunt sheet and find the American flags that are strategically hidden throughout the property (1-5 p.m.).
• Historic Toys and Games: Learn how children played at the time of the American Revolution (1-3 p.m. and 4-4:30 p.m.).
• Picture Yourself: Photo-opportunity station features replica 18th-century American portraits from the Bayou Bend Collection (1-4:30 p.m.).
• Sing-along: Performer Susan Kelm invites visitors to sing along to early American fiddle songs (1-3 p.m.).
• Betsy Ross: Constance O'Brien brings the famous seamstress to life with the one-woman show "Betsy Ross: An American Hero" (2 p.m.).
• Parade: The Texas Army Fife & Drum Corps leads guests on a parade from the Visitor Center to the Diana Terrace in time for the reading of the Declaration of Independence (3 p.m.).
• Flag Workshop: Join the fun in the Betsy Ross flag-making workshop (4 p.m.).