Your head’s probably still throbbing from celebrating Canada Day yesterday. Give those Canucks an excuse to party then get out of the way — especially when you’re talking about the declaration of a new North American dominion (1867). Any hootch left in that bottle?

So, to ease that hangover, we’ll tip-toe quietly around the subject of our own Independence Day, which always provides an explosion of affordable fun. World writer Abby Holmes lists all the weekend’s July 4th action in the latest issue of Go!, but here are a few additional tidbits:

√ Whoa … Rodeo Promo, Art Show, Demo (Friday) —  Yee-haw! The town booms for a pre-Fourth First Friday with a preview of the Lake Chelan Rodeo & Roundup (July 24-25) that features horses, line dancing, mechanical bull and a western dress-up contest. Lots of art, too,  including decorated stick horses, paintings and jewelry-making. Festivities start at 5 p.m. on main street and in downtown stores. A lot of the activities are free. Info: 682-4322.

√ Art Sparks Pre-Fourth Fun (Friday) — Not to be outdone, Wenatchee’s burgeoning First Friday sparkles with evening art openings and hot music. ♦ At the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 127 S. Mission St., Wenatchee, four Stehekin artists display works in a new exhibit, “Stehekin … Briefly.” Reception runs 5-7 p.m. ♦ A spankin’ new group show opens at Two Rivers Gallery, 102 Columbia St., Wenatchee, features works bymore than 90 local artists. Reception starts at 5 p.m. ♦ Caffe Mela’s Summer Concert Series fills Centennial Park, 130 S. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, with rock by Beau Van Winkle and Star Anna & the Laughing Dogs. Music cranks up at 7 p.m.  All free.

√ Crash Cars, Spit Pits, Play Charades (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) — Patriotism may fuel your fun on the Fourth, but just in case you need additional reasons to celebrate:  On Friday in Waterville, the fireworks are preceded by a demolition derby (7 p.m., NCW Fairgrounds, 745-8480); on Saturday, the annual Chesaw Rodeo features kids ropin’ calves (parade 12:30 p.m., rodeo 1 p.m., town rodeo grounds, 485-2204); on Saturday, you can legally spit a lot during Manson’s Fourth of July cherry pit spitting contest (around midday downtown, 679-0519); on Saturday, charades and visiting with neighbors highlight Monitor’s town celebration (4 p.m. downtown, 663-1570); on Sunday, 3-D glasses ($1) can enhance Chelan’s post-Fourth fireworks (10 p.m. downtown, 682-4322).

√ Mucho Gusto (Sunday) — In the mood for a bit of Hispanic culture? Tardeadas, the traditional Mexican family event, welcomes everyone to Lincoln Park, 1140 S. Mission St., Wenatchee, for music, dancing, sports and socializing. Bring a picnic and a musical instrument. Info: 888-3284.

√ Opal, What’s That Flying Contraption? (Sunday through Thursday) — Hold on! Hang glider and paraglider pilots from around the world gather in Chelan for one of the top gliding events of the year. Yep, that’s right … they strap themselves in, jump off Chelan Butte and then follow a course to compete in the Chelan XC Classic. Sheesh. You’ll squeeze shut your eyes and wring your hands, but otherwise it’s free to watch from parks in Chelan or Chelan Falls. Info: 206-406-9481.

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