Independence is much more than a Missouri city of 110,000 in a suburb of Kansas City - and the home of Harry S. Truman. It's also a city in California, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

But in every state of these United States of America it also is associated with the Fourth of July, the day we celebrate our freedom from control of the British, achieved in 1776.

Independence Day is indeed a very special day for Americans. It's also a very busy day and weekend with celebrations, picnics, parades, barbeques and waving of the flag.

The week's Bismarck Tribune's "Best Bets" focuses on the holiday.

The place to start locally is Mandan Rodeo Days, which began Tuesday and continues through Friday. Area residents voted it last year as the "Best Community Festival" and "Best Major Event." Activities include a pancake breakfast, Art in the Park and rodeo today and Friday. The popular Mandan Jaycees Parade is at 10 a.m. Friday and fireworks are scheduled for 11 p.m.

For complete information, go to www.mandanrodeo.com or call 220-2959.

Friday also will feature the Driscoll and Glen Ullin 125-year celebrations with various events, concerts and fireworks, and the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra Fourth of July Extravaganza beginning at the Capitol at 6:30 p.m. and running through the 10:15 p.m. fireworks show.

If you're out of town, there also are numerous events of note, including:

n Jamestown's 125th Celebration. www.jamestown125.com or 701-252-4830.

n Roughrider Days Fair and Expo, Dickinson. www.roughriderdaysfair.com or 701-483-7721.

n 85th Annual Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo. www.killdeer.com or 701-746-5777.

n Hettinger Fourth of July Celebration. www.hettingernd.com or 701-567-2531.

n Festival of Parks, Minot. www.visitminot.org or 701-857-8206.

n Independence Day Celebration, Medora www.medora.com; 701-623-4444.