CINCINNATI — There’s something that will make celebrating our nation’s Independence Day even better this year: a three-day weekend.
The Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year, and Greater Cincinnati has a variety of family events happening over the extended holiday weekend. Here’s a list of some of the local celebrations going on over the next few days. (Spoiler alert: Prepare yourself for lots of live music, food, beer – and, of course, fireworks.)
Red, White and Blue Ash will return this weekend at Summit Park.
Friday, July 1
Independence Fourth of July Parade and Celebration – Independence will host its annual celebration with rides, games, music and food on Friday night; and a car show, parade and fireworks show on Saturday night. Friday’s events will be 5-11 p.m. at Memorial Park, located behind the Independence City Building off of Delaware Crossing. Saturday’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a car show in the neighboring Kroger Marketplace parking lot, 1700 Declaration Dr., and will wrap up with fireworks at 10 p.m.
Madeira’s Independence Day Parade – The city will celebrate with a parade at 7 p.m. on Friday at Madeira High School, 7465 Loannes Drive. The parade will proceed down Miami Avenue and end at St. Gertrude. Immediately following the parade, festivities will continue at Sellman Park, 6700 Marvin Ave., with live music, food, drinks and fireworks.
Northside Rock n’ Roll Carnival – The celebration will feature four days of food, beer, live music and events Friday-Monday at Jacob Hoffner Park, 4101 Hamilton Ave. Hours vary each day, check the website for details.
Saturday, July 2
Fort Thomas Independence Day Parade – The Campbell County YMCA’s annual parade is set for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday throughout Fort Thomas. The theme this year will pay tribute to first responders, past and present. UC Health Air Care will be doing several flyovers during the parade. The grand marshal is Fort Thomas Police Officer Casey Kilgore, who was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic melanoma in 2014.
St. Bernard’s Fourth of July Celebration – St. Bernard will celebrate Saturday with a cupcake-eating contest, cornhole tournament, food, rides, music and a fireworks display. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. at the city’s Ross Park, Ross Avenue.
Washington Park’s Fourth of July Jam – Washington Park will host its celebration on Saturday with live music, games, food and craft beer from a variety of vendors, and a fireworks show. The event will be 3-11 p.m. at the park, 1230 Elm St., Cincinnati.
Sunday, July 3
Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Concert - The Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s annual Independence Day-themed symphony concert will be 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Sunday at Montgomery Park, located at the corner of Montgomery Road and Schoolhouse Lane. The festivities will start with the playing of the national anthem, and this year’s selections will include American television theme songs as well as patriotic favorites.
Fairfield’s Red, White & Kaboom – The city will celebrate at dusk on Sunday with entertainment, food, activities and fireworks at three official viewing locations: Harbin Park, 1300 Hunter Road; Village Green Park, 301 Wessel Drive; and the Fairfield Aquatic Center, 2605 Augusta Boulevard.
Florence Celebrates Independence Day – The city has teamed up with the Florence Freedom to celebrate beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday at UC Health Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way. This is a new location for the event, which will feature rides, games, activities for kids, food booths, beer and wine tastings, a vintage baseball game, live music and fireworks.
Fort Thomas Independence Day Celebration – The city will celebrate with a parade at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and end with fireworks at Tower Park, Cochran Avenue. The day’s festivities also include live music, food, an antique car cruise-in, rides and a cornhole tournament.
Fourth at the Fort is a popular Independence Day celebration in Fort Thomas.
Fountain Square’s Independence Day Celebration – The annual event, which will feature concessions, live music and fireworks, is set for 7-10:30 p.m. on Sunday at Cincinnati’s Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets.
Harrison Fourth of July Parade and Celebration – Harrison will celebrate with live music, food, kids activities and fireworks on Sunday at the Harrison Community Center, 300 George St. Parade lineup begins at 3 p.m.
Little Miami River Chamber Alliance’s Firecracker Festival - The annual festival, complete with live entertainment, a children’s bike and pet parade, inflatables, a petting zoo, food and fireworks, will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Home of the Brave Park, 11605 N. Lebanon Road, Loveland.
Monday, July 4
Ault Park Independence Day Fireworks – The annual event, featuring a children’s parade, music, concessions and fireworks, will be held from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Monday at Ault Park Pavilion, 5090 Observatory Circle, Cincinnati.
Edgewood’s 4th of July Extravaganza – The city’s annual parade, themed “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave,” is set for 9:30 a.m. on Monday. It will begin at the Caywood Elementary School and Turkeyfoot Middle School campus and proceed to President’s Park, 283 Dudley Road. A concert begins at the park at 7 p.m. and will continue until the fireworks begin.
FOPNA's Fourth of July Parade – The Friends of Peaselburg Neighborhood Association’s annual parade will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Monday. The parade will begin and end at St. Augustine School, 1840 Jefferson Ave, Covington. At the conclusion of the parade, there will be a social gathering and refreshments at St. Augustine.
Fort Mitchell Fourth of July Parade – The parade will leave the Diocesan Catholic Children's Home, 75 Orphanage Road, at 12:30 p.m. Monday and will end at Beechwood School. Grand marshals are Fort Mitchell firefighters Jerry Bogenschutz, David Bolte, Clarence Kleier, Ron Becker and David Schrand.
The Fort Mitchell Independence Day parade run from the DCCH Center for Children to Beechwood School.
Liberty Township Fourth of July Parade – The 31st annual parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Lakota East High School and ends at Liberty Park on Yankee Road. Cincinnati Dayton, Wyandot and Yankee roads will be affected. Lifelong resident and community volunteer Frank Peters will serve as grand marshal.
Loveland Independence Day Celebration – The city’s community celebration will begin at 4 p.m. on Monday and wrap up at 11 p.m. with festivities in Historic Downtown Loveland. A “Kid Zone,” featuring face painting, balloon artists, a magician, and a bouncy house, will be available at Nisbet Park, 198 Harrison Ave. Live performances for the children will follow be held at the park’s amphitheater at 4 and 5:45 p.m. A parade at 7 p.m. will follow a one-mile route starting at Loveland Elementary School, 600 Loveland Madeira Road, and ending at the Loveland VFW Hall, 227 E. Loveland Ave. Live music starts at 8 p.m., and the event will also feature food and drinks.
Montgomery Independence Day Parade and Festival – The city’s annual parade, set for 10 a.m. on Monday, will move along Cooper Road from Sycamore Junior High School and head north on Montgomery Road to Schoolhouse Lane. A festival featuring kids’ games, pony rides, food, music and an "All-Star" baseball game will follow from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Montgomery Park, located at the corner of Montgomery Road and Schoolhouse Lane.
Norwood Hometown Fireworks – Gates open at 6 p.m. on Monday for the annual event, which will feature kids’ activities, music, food and fireworks at Shea Stadium, 2603 Harris Ave.
Red, White & Blue Ash – The annual celebration, featuring music, family entertainment, food and drinks, and fireworks, is set for 4 p.m. on Monday at Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road.
Sharonville Fourth of July Parade and Celebration – The city’s annual celebration, themed “Sweet Songs of Freedom,” will begin at noon on Monday with a parade that will start at the corner of Reading and Sharon Road in downtown Sharonville and follow the entire downtown Sharonville loop. “Fair @ the Square,” a community event that will include entertainment, music, food, and children’s activities, will immediately follow the parade at Depot Square, 11083 Reading Road.
Sisters of Notre Dame Fourth of July Festival – The 94th annual festival will be 1-6 p.m. on Monday at 1601 Dixie Highway, Covington. All proceeds benefit the SND Uganda and East Africa missions, urban and early childhood education ministries, and retirement needs.
Wyoming Independence Day Parade and Celebration – The city’s annual parade, themed “Going for the Gold,” will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday. The parade will line up on Oak Avenue, go west on Wyoming Avenue, north on Springfield Pike, east on Wentworth Avenue, south on Burns Avenue, and then east on Wyoming Avenue. After the parade, children's games and an award ceremony will take place at the gazebo on Wyoming Avenue. Festivities will continue through the day, and a family celebration will be held at 5:30 p.m. with games, music, inflatables and fireworks at Oak Park, Oak Avenue.
