This is one of the best weeks of the year. Parades. Fireworks. Little kids running around the park waiting for the show to start. Ice cream and snowballs on the walk home. And traffic.

OK, the last part isn't any fun, but I'll deal with it.

More than 250,000 people will likely be here this week, if the trend from the last few years holds up. (Ocean City uses the demoflush method of determining population, which measures the amount of sewage that flows through the town's treatment system. It is criticized as overstating the actual population figures, though.)

It's going to be crowded. It's going to be hot. It might even rain a few times this weekend. But most important, it's going to be fun.

If you're leaving for OC today, make sure you know what's going on before you head down.

There are two major events in Ocean City on the Fourth of July. Downtown, on North Division Street, the U.S. Navy Band and Sea Chanters will hold a concert at 8 p.m., with fireworks following around 9:30. I realize that doesn't exactly sound exciting, but it's definitely entertaining.

A lot more takes place at Northside Park between 125th and 127 Streets. Called the Jamboree in the Park, these events are entertaining and exciting. They start at 5 p.m. and run all night, until the fireworks are over. Get some hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cake, cotton candy and a snow cone. There are plenty of activities to keep the kids busy all evening. They call it the Fun Field, where they host carnival games, tug-of-war, a soccer shoot-out and more. It really is a blast.

When the fireworks go off at 9:30, these are the top five places to be to watch them:

5) On the beach. You don't get the best view, but hearing the fireworks popping and the waves crashing makes for a great experience.

4) From your rooftop. Advantages: you don't have to go too far and rooftop shows are always exciting. Disadvantages: depending on where you are, you may not have the best view of the 125th or Division Street shows.

3) From your boat. Cruise out into the Assawoman Bay and watch the fireworks from a few hundred yards away. Of course, this isn't the best idea if you get seasick, like I do.

2) From Northside Park. Both shows in Ocean City are pretty much exactly the same, but this one is usually more crowded and has more children. If you're taking the kids, this should be your first choice.

1) From the boardwalk. There's something magical about watching the fireworks explode over Ocean City from the boards. It's a great way to enjoy the celebratory show.

Have fun, be careful, and don't even think about driving. The people walking home from the two shows always make it back before those who drive. The buses will be crowded too, so be patient.