ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The city of Rock Hill is hosting the “Red, White and BOOM!” festival downtown Tuesday night at City Hall Plaza and on Black Street from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

It will be a free event full of music, food, a costume contest, activities for children and fun for the entire family.

The music will be provided by The Key West Band and special guest Doyle Grisham. Grisham, a member of Jimmy Buffet’s Coral Reefer Band, plays steel guitar and has been featured on 18 of the Jimmy Buffet albums. Grisham can also be heard on the band’s newest CD, “Planting Palm Trees.”

A variety of food vendors will be located on Black Street serving everything from barbeque to ice cream and even alligator on a stick. Alcohol will be available to those with valid photo ID.

The Sandlapper Parrothead Club is sponsoring a “Parrothead” Costume Contest. Contestants can register at the table that will on site. The contest will be held in front of the main stage, and the judging will begin at 8 p.m. The first place costume wins $50 plus giveaways, second place wins $30 and third place wins $20. The children will be entertained at Parakeet Park, as well as with activities that will be held in the grassy area beside City Hall.

The evening will come to a close with the fireworks show that will be choreographed with a live musical broadcast put on by WRHI at 9:30 p.m.

In case of severe weather, the fireworks show will be cancelled. The rain date for Red, White and BOOM! is scheduled for Thursday, July 5, with the band to be announced.

Independence Day festivities continue on Wednesday in nearby Fort Mill with a Charlotte Knights game and fireworks.

The Knights will play against their biggest rival, the Durham Bulls. After fans enjoy the game with their traditional peanuts and cracker jacks, they can be amazed with the largest sky display in the area.

Charlotte Knights Director of Media Relations John Agresti is expecting 14,000 fans to fill up the stadium.

To add to the Fourth of July festivities, fans can tune into WBT 1110AM and listen to a patriotic soundtrack play while watching the fireworks.

To purchase tickets ahead of time, Knights fans can visit www.charlotteknights.com, and print them at home.

The Knights are offering an easy way to save gas. Fans can park at Carolina Place Mall in the Dillard’s Parking Lot and ride the shuttle to the stadium. Both parking and the shuttle are free of charge. The shuttle will begin at 4:30 p.m.

“It is the fastest and easiest way to get to the game” Agresti says. The shuttle will take fans back to their cars after the sky show ends. When fans ride the shuttle back to their cars they will get a free ticket to a future Knights game.

John Agresti asks “What’s more American than celebrating the 4th of July than watching baseball and fireworks?”