July 2, 2007 3:45:33 PM MDT

With one of the biggest American holidays of the year on Wednesday, everyone is talking about what they're doing on the 4th of July in Idaho Falls.

On the morning of July 4th, the parade begins at 9:30 a.m. and follows the same route as in years past starting at the Civic Auditorium, down 4th Street, south on Boulevard and ending at Tautphaus Park.

Motorcycles and antique cars will travel along the parade route beginning at 8:30 a.m.

For the first time, a new event will help fill the gap during the day. It's called the Liberty Festival and will take place at the Idaho Falls Greenbelt.

Robb Chiles/Chamber of Commerce: "There wasn't anything going on in Idaho Falls between the parade and the fireworks show and so what we decided to do -- and a lot of people asked us to do this -- was to create some sort of activity for people to partake in Idaho Falls during that gap."

There will be food, musical entertainment, games and contests, a car show and plenty of things to do.

Robb Chiles: "Starting at about 11 a.m. until 10 at night when the fireworks begin, it'll be an event that will provide a lot of opportunities for the family to get together and enjoy the river and the greenbelt."

The biggest event of the day happens when the sun goes down.

A pyrotechnic crew from Oregon has prepared for months to get ready for one of the biggest shows west of the Mississippi. They've taken over the John's Hole Forebay to set up the explosives.

Darryl Henry/Pyrotechnic Expert: "It's going to be very loud, very intense and very aggressive."

This show, choreographed to music is expected to be the best yet with many never-before seen shells, with more in the sky at the same time.

Darryl Henry: "It's going to be spectacular.  There's roughly 7,000 pounds of explosives going into the air -- roughly 11,000 shells going up in the air -- so if you add that up over -- what, 30 minutes -- you're looking at three to four hundred shells per minute going in the air."

Since the weekend, the ropes and stakes have been popping up as people find their best spot for viewing the show.

Jodi Carson has one of the prime locations.

Jodi Carson: "We were one of the first ones and there's more out today... so we can enjoy the fireworks and it's probably the best fireworks you can have, so."

Eddie Farrer is the Superintendent of Parks for Idaho Falls.  He reminds people to not put down tarps and blankets when saving a space.

Eddie Farrer: "Over a period of time those will make dead patches.  You wouldn't believe maybe just a short a time people have 'em on there, but the sun -- the direct sun -- on those particular things you'll see a dead spot."

Here's more information from the Idaho Falls Police Department:

Memorial drive, from Broadway to E Street, will be closed to all vehicle traffic beginning at 10 pm Tuesday, July 3rd, and will not be re-opened until Thursday, July 5th.  The closure is to accommodate the Riverfest.  Riverside Drive will be closed to all vehicle traffic on the fourth from 7 pm until the fireworks are over.  Pedestrians are welcome.  River Parkway will again be closed to vehicle traffic north of the Driftwood Hotel to U-S 20. Downtown, two blocks of B Street and two blocks of Park Street will be closed from 6 am until 10 pm on the fourth.  This is to accommodate the car show at Civitans Plaza, located at Park and B Streets.  The parade route will remain the same this year.  It will originate at the Civic Auditorium, proceed west on 4th street, turn south on Boulevard and ends at Tautphaus Park.  Drivers need to use caution because of the high numbers of pedestrians.  Please be watchful for children darting in and out of the crowds.  The intersection at 17th Street and Boulevard will be interrupted twice on the fourth, once for the 5k run and again for the parade, and of course, fireworks are the name of the game during this time.  Remember, all fireworks are prohibited by city code at the Riverfest, parade and the fireworks celebration on the Greenbelt.  Please do not bring any fireworks of any kind to these events.  Outside of these events, state codes prohibit any fireworks that fly or go boom.  Our officers will issue citations for illegal fireworks.  And remember, even using legal fireworks can disturb your neighbors, please be courteous and careful celebrating the fourth.

For more information: www.idahofallschamber.com