Each year, Sunrise pulls out all the stops to celebrate our nation's birthday. In 2008, the City will honor the traditions of years past - and create a few new ones! Treasured favorites, including Family Fun Night and the July 4th Parade, will remain in the line-up. And thanks to a public/private partnership between Sunrise and the BankAtlantic Center - in cooperation with Sawgrass Mills - residents will be able to take part in a large-scale, outdoor July 4th celebration featuring fireworks, entertainment and more. Scheduled events include:

Family Fun Night. Thursday, July 3, at 6:00 p.m. Don't miss this exciting holiday kick-off, featuring free children's rides, refreshments and fun. At 6:30 p.m., cheer on Sunrise public safety professionals in the City's first-ever Police vs. Fire-Rescue softball game. City Park, 6700 Sunset Strip.

"Patriotic Sunrise" Fourth of July Parade. Friday, July 4, at 10:00 a.m. This summertime favorite features colorful floats and costumed characters. The parade begins at NW 12th Street and winds its way west along Sunset Strip to City Park (located between NW 64th Avenue and NW 68th Avenue). Local businesses and organizations are invited to participate: Call (954) 747-4600 for a parade entry form.

Fourth of July Round Robin. Friday, July 4, at 10:00 am. A holiday tennis tournament for players 18 and older. Cost ($12 for Sunrise Tennis Club members; $15 for non-members) includes a picnic lunch. Sunrise Tennis Club, 9605 West Oakland Park Boulevard.

The Oasis Fun Zone at Sawgrass Mills. Friday, July 4. Stop by The Oasis for a variety of child-friendly activities. Participating Sawgrass Mills merchants are also offering discounts as a special bonus to Sunrise residents. The Oasis at Sawgrass Mills Mall, 12801 West Sunrise Boulevard.

July 4th Blast at BankAtlantic Center. Friday, July 4, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Join your friends and neighbors for a spectacular outdoor event featuring children's activities, food and beverage vendors, live music (bands at 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.), and a fireworks display (9:00 p.m.) with a breathtaking grand finale sponsored by Sawgrass Mills. Parking and admission are free. Lawn chairs and umbrellas are permitted, but coolers are not. BankAtlantic Center, One Panther Parkway.

Red, White & Blue Four-Person Golf Scramble. Saturday, July 5. 7:30 a.m. check-in; 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. This event is open to all golfers age six and up. The price - just $17 plus tax for Springtree Golf Club members, and $25 plus tax for non-members - includes greens fee, lunch and prizes, as well as use of an electric cart. Springtree Golf Club, 8150 Springtree Drive.

For more information regarding these events, call the City's Leisure Services Department at (954) 747-4600.

The City of Sunrise has introduced two new, convenient payment options for its Utilities customers. Utilizing Western Union's Speedpay system, customers may now make credit card, debit card or check payments online or by phone. Speedpay may be accessed via our Payment Options page, or by calling 1-866-537-9041. A $2.75 convenience fee applies to all Speedpay transactions.

Western Union's Speedpay joins a trio of existing payment options. Sunrise Utilities customers can also choose monthly automatic bank drafting (which carries no transaction fee), mail-in payments, or in-person payments at one of three locations featuring walk-up windows and drop boxes: City Hall (10770 West Oakland Park Boulevard), Village Civic Center (6800 Sunset Strip), and New River Civic Center (60 Weston Road).

In addition to expanded payment options, Sunrise now provides its utilities customers with a means of accessing their account information online. Customers can visit our View Utility Account page for account status, prior bills and consumption patterns.

For more information, visit our Public Service/Billing page or call (954) 746-3232.