Standalone p1 art for 7/3 issue

Charleston's annual Fourth of July celebration is upon us. But just days before the festivities begin, Haddad Riverfront Park was underwater.

Recent heavy rains -- that did considerable damage along the East Coast -- left the Kanawha River swollen on Wednesday and Thursday. The stage area of Haddad Riverfront Park, where many of these weekend's free events are scheduled, was underwater. But officials expect waters to receed enough for the festivities.

The Star-Spangled Weekend was scheduled to begin Friday. On Monday, Sen. Robert C. Byrd is scheduled to speak before the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra performs. That is followed by a fireworks display over the Kanawha River.

On Tuesday, the West Virginia Power baseball team plays host to the Asheville Tourists. Fireworks and music acts are scheduled after the game.