CLAY COUNTY – While most will be preparing to peer into the skies at darkness, four young musicians are hoping to catch their attention shortly after sundown when they take the stage at Spring Park during Food Truck Friday.

Red Magnolia, an aspiring band working under the tutelage of local rocker Paul Wane, will open for Wane’s Duval County Line on the Fourth of July during the monthly event that has grown to attract between 5,000 and 6,000 people.

With DCL headlining this month’s event, Red Magnolia is sure to get even more attention.

“We're really trying to go out there and play some of the real music that people grew up on back in the day, and it doesn't even matter if it’s older music that people grew up on back in the day,” said Ethan Head, who plays the Hammond organ and keyboards. “If you're an older fellow or a younger fellow, it doesn’t matter. The music resonates.”

The rest of the band includes Logan Prestwood on guitar, Christian Funk on bass and vocals, and DJ Gonzalez on drums. They have their setlist, but they focus primarily on classic Southern Rock songs.

They hope to put everyone in an excellent mood for DCL, and then for fireworks that will light the county’s skies around 9 p.m.

Officially, there are three shows scheduled in the county. Unofficially, there will be smaller shows in most neighborhood yards.

One will be the American Pride 4th of July Celebration at Moosehaven, while another will be the 57th Annual 4th of July Celebration at the Keystone Heights Historic Pavilion at Lake Geneva, and a third will be the Food Trucks and Fireworks at Russell Baptist Church on Russell Road in Green Cove Springs.

The free event at Moosehaven starts at 5 p.m. and features live music by Bold City Classics at 6 p.m., followed by food trucks and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. over the St. Johns River – courtesy of Northeast Florida Pyrotechnics of Green Cove Springs.

Parking is through the “Old Main Gate” off Park Avenue. Visitors are reminded to bring blankets and chairs; however, pets, coolers and firearms are prohibited.

The celebration at Keystone Heights is a daylong event. It starts with a 5K run at 6 a.m., and includes vendors and food trucks starting at 10 a.m., with live music at 10:15 a.m.

The “Sounds of Freedom” parade is at 11 a.m., with Wild West exhibitions running from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. A water ski show will be at 4 p.m. at Geneva Beach and will open at 5:30 p.m. with live music from the Shopping Mall Guerrillas and 8-Track Revival. The 20-minute fireworks show will start at 9:30 p.m.

Finally, Russell Baptist will kick off its Fourth of July event at 7:30 p.m. with food trucks. Remember to bring your blankets and chairs. Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m.

By then, the guys from Red Magnolia will have taken another step toward spreading their name and reputation.

“We’re just trying to get our name out there,” Head said. “You never know who’s out there listening. You never know who’s in the crowd. Who knows what can happen?”