THINGS TO DO

From parades to concerts and fireworks: Here's where to celebrate July 4 in Louisville

Gege Reed
Louisville Courier Journal

Nothing says the Fourth of July like a gathering with friends and family, grilled food, parades, concerts and, of course, fireworks. To celebrate July 4, the federal holiday set aside to commemorate the Continental Congress formally adopting the Declaration of Independence in 1776, here are a few fireworks shows and Fourth of July events taking place in the Louisville area:  

Bullitt Blast & Shepherdsville City Fair

WHAT: Carnival rides, games, car show, Bullitt Blast Festival Pageant (9 a.m. Saturday), entertainment, food, beer garden, games, watermelon eating contest and fireworks (approximately 10:20 p.m. Saturday). Music Friday: Pat Portman & The 44, The Les Masters Band; Saturday: Amber Martin Band, Goldbrick, Junction Creek.

WHERE: Shepherdsville City Park, 440 Old Ford Road, Shepherdsville

WHEN: July 1, 6-11 p.m.; July 2, 9 a.m. to midnight 

MORE INFORMATION: Admission is free. bullittblast.com

Louisville Chorus: Fanfare for the 4th

The Louisville Chorus returns with its annual concert “Fanfare for the 4th: Musical Visions of America.”

WHAT: Fanfare for the 4th. "Musical Visions of  America," led by Daniel Spurlock, music director. Multimedia choral cinema presentation of the founding, expansion and refinement of America.

WHERE: Beargrass Christian Church, 4100 Shelbyville Road

WHEN: July 2, 3 p.m. 

COST: $23, $20 seniors, $5 students

MORE INFORMATION: This is a Cultural Pass event, free for Cultural Pass holders and one chaperone. Show each pass to cashier and receive a free ticket. 502-968-6300; louisvillechorus.org.

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Independence Day Celebration at Locust Grove

Revolutionary War reenactors shoot their guns during the Independence Day celebration at Locust Grove. July 04, 2015.

WHAT: Celebrate Independence Day in 19th-century style at Historic Locust Grove on the anniversary of when the Continental Congress officially voted for its freedom from Great Britain. Activities include the new Unfolding the Story Tour, tour the historic house, first person interpreter portrayals, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a reading of “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” by Frederick Douglass and more. Sponsored by Independence Bank. 

WHERE: 561 Blankenbaker Lane

WHEN: July 2, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

MORE INFORMATION: Food trucks will be on-site for with food and drink, or bring a picnic lunch. Admission is free. 502-897-9845; locustgrove.org.

Riverview Park Independence Festival

Fireworks at the Riverview Park Independence Festival.
01 July 2017

WHAT: Celebrate with food, splash park, fireworks and music by JD Shelburne, Sheryl Rouse and the Unlimited Show Band and Appalatin. 

WHERE: Riverview Park, 8202 Greenwood Road

WHEN: July 2, 5 p.m.; fireworks, 10 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-12/riverview-independence-festival.

Crescent Hill 4th of July Festival

Barefoot Best Friends' sisters Christina and Emmaly Saliga and their dad, Mark Saliga perform at the Crescent Hill Old Fashioned 4th of July Festival at the Peterson-Dumesnil House. Different musical groups are scheduled about every 1.5 hours at the event that will culminate in fireworks at 10pm on July 4th.
03 July 2015

WHAT: The festival features a juried art show, festival food, kids zone (with inflatables), field games, pet contest, online auction, games of chance, cake contest, raffles, tour the Peterson-Dumesnil House, military vehicles display and fireworks (10 p.m.). Music by Louisville Folk School Old-Time String Band featuring Square Dance Caller Dwayne Johnson, Marion Halliday and Trickster Sister, Bomar and Ritter and The Uptown Band (Sunday); Falklanders, Amber Riggs, The Che Brothers and The 5th Annual Prine Time: Celebrating the Music of John Prine featuring Dave Benson, The 11th Hour, Kim & John D’Amato, Phil Ragland, Pat Younger, Bill Clark, John Gage and The Finale (Monday).  

WHERE: Peterson-Dumesnil House, 301 S. Peterson Ave.

WHEN: July 3, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; July 4, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: For a complete schedule go to:crescenthill.us

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Jeffersonville Independence Day Parade

Children wave American flags at passing groups in the Jeffersonville, Indiana Freedom Parade. July 3, 2021

WHAT: Jeffersonville Celebrates Freedom Parade. Grand Marshals are teachers from Greater Clark School System. Following the parade a celebration in Warder Park (109 E. Court Ave., Jeffersonville) honoring veterans with concessions. 

WHERE: Along Spring Street from 100 to 500 blocks of Spring St., Jeffersonville, Indiana. 

WHEN: July 4, 10 a.m. 

MORE INFORMATION: Food and drinks will be available for purchase. jeffmainstreet.org

Waterfront Park 4th of July 

A large crowd was on hand at Waterfront Park before the Louisville Orchestra's Independence Day concert and fireworks show. July 4, 2021

WHAT: The celebration features family activities, food trucks, traditional festival favorites like corn dogs and funnel cakes, beer and bar area (for those over 21) and a fireworks display over the Ohio River. Music by Cincinnati-based funk band Freekbass; R&B-Soul artist Zaniah; psychedelic instrumental grooves from Casey Powell and DJ Always. Fire works approximately 9:45 p.m. Family-friendly activities will be offered from 5-9 p.m. throughout the park and include science, music, art,  face painting, balloon art and bounce houses. 

WHERE: Great Lawn, Harbor Lawns, Waterfront Park, downtown Louisville

WHEN: July 4, 5-10 p.m. 

COST: Free

MORE INFORMATION: Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Coolers, glass, fireworks, pets, outside food and alcohol are not permitted. There will be bicycle racks to lock up bicycles on site. Unopened bottles of water are permitted. ourwaterfront.org/annual-events/fourth-of-july-at-waterfront-park/

Paristown Fourth of July 

The exterior of Paristown, where The Cafe has moved.

WHAT: Features music by The Crashers and and fireworks show. Presented by Jack Daniels. 

WHERE: Paristown Arts & Entertainment District, 731 Brent St.

WHEN: July 4. Gates open at 5 p.m.; The Crashers, 6:30 p.m.; fireworks, 9:45 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Tickets start at: $15 advance, $18 day of show; $40 includes general admission and VIP-only access to The Cafe's air conditioned atrium, bathrooms, tables and VIP bar; $100 includes a reserved table on the garden lawn with six chairs; free for ages 10 and younger with a ticket-holding adult (limit 1 children per ticketed adult). paristown.com.

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Prospect's July 4th Community Celebration & Fireworks Extravaganza

WHAT: Celebrate July 4 with a parade, fireworks extravaganza, Independence Day freebies, food from Café 502 and Ramiro's Cantina food trucks, Kona Ice, train rides and bouncy houses for the children and music from The Swing Street Big Band and DJ Daniel Block. The parade starts at Westover Drive at Westover Court (6 p.m.)

WHERE: Cowley Park, 7902 Westover Drive, Prospect

WHEN: July 4. Parade, 6 p.m.; fireworks at dusk (9:40 p.m.)

MORE INFORMATION: prospectky.us

Louisville Bats July 4 Fireworks Extravaganza

Fireworks at a Louisville Bats game

WHAT: Celebrate the Fourth of July with baseball and fireworks. Louisville Bats vs. St. Paul Saints. 

WHERE:  Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E. Main St.

WHEN: July 4, 7:05 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: $5-$27. 855- 228-8497; milb.com/louisville.

Belle of Louisville Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise

Watch Independence Day Fireworks from the Belle of Louisville

WHAT: Sit back and relax on this two-hour cruise and watch the fireworks display presented by Waterfront Park. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase and a full bar.

WHERE: Fourth and River Road

WHEN: July 4, 8-10 p.m. 

MORE INFORMATION: Tickets are $45.99 for adults (15-64), $44.99 for seniors (65 and older), $19.99 for children (5-14) and free for children 4 and younger.belleoflouisville.org

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Simpsonsville's The Boom

WHAT: Fireworks show with pre-show. Select a spot along US 60 or bring a blanket/chair to the park.

WHERE: Simpsonville Park, 108 Old Veechdale Road, Simpsonville

WHEN: July 4. Pre-show (9 p.m.), fireworks ( 10 p.m.) 

MORE INFORMATION: Public Parking not available. simpsonvilleparks.com.

July 4 celebrations outside of the Louisville area

Holiday World/Splashin’ Safari Holiday in the Sky

Holiday World debuts the Thunderbird winged coaster.
April 23, 2015

WHAT: This one-of-a-kind, 15-minute show celebrates the Fourth of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween with 700-foot wide animated light displays and 300 LED-lit drones as they take to the sky for a unique, drone, and fireworks spectacle.

WHERE: 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, Indiana

WHEN: Holiday World: June 30, July 1, 5 and 6, 10 a.m. to8 p.m.; July 2-4, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Splashin’ Safari: June 30, July 1, 5 and 6, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; July 2-4, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

COST: Tickets start at $59.99

MORE INFORMATION: 812-937-4401; holidayworld.com.

Rumble Over Rough 

WHAT: Enjoy a meal in the Grayson's Landing Restaurant or picnic on the ground, find souvenirs in the gift shop, swim in the lake, boating and end the day by taking in the fireworks show. Host: Friends of Rough River. 

WHERE: Rough River Dam State Resort Park, 450 Lodge Road, Falls Of Rough, Kentucky

WHEN: July 2, noon to 11 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: 270-257-2311; parks.ky.gov.

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Kings Island Independence Day Fireworks

WHAT: The park will light up the sky with its new 50th anniversary show “Fun, Fireworks, and Fifty – a Kings Island Nighttime Spectacular,” one of the largest 4th of July fireworks display in Cincinnati. The show is 14 minutes in length and features fireworks, 200 synchronized drones, fire bursts, laser projections and original music score while taking guests on a nostalgic journey through Kings Island’s first 50 years. Also roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, kid rides and water park.

WHERE: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, Ohio

WHEN: July 3. Kings Island: 10 a.m. to midnight. Soak City Water Park: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Tickets start at $45 for a single day plus tax and fees. visitkingsisland.com.

Independence Day Celebration

WHAT: Music by the Critical Condition will begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by the fireworks display at dusk. Concessions will be available (4 p.m.). Bring blankets and lawn chairs and come early to get a good spot.

WHERE: Kenlake State Resort Park, 542 Kenlake Road, Hardin, Kentucky 

WHEN: July 3

MORE INFORMATION: Bring your blankets and lawn chairs. 270-474-2211; parks.ky.gov.

4th of July Festival & Parade

WHAT: Food trucks, music by Boogie G., parade and fireworks (Main St. and Oliver Lewis Way, 10 p.m.).

WHERE: Festival at the Courthouse Plaza; parade, starts down Main St. from Midland to Mill St., Lexington

WHEN: July 4. Festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; parade, 11:30 a.m. 

MORE INFORMATION: lexingtonky.gov/fourthofjuly.

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Paducah Independence Day Celebration

J.D. Shelburne speaks with media at the Unbridled Eve Gala on May 6, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky.

WHAT: Celebrate with a concert by J.D. Shelburne (on Wilson Stage from (7:30 to 9 p.m.) with a meet and greet (5-7 p.m.); food vendors at the downtown Farmers’ Market Pavilion area (5 p.m.) and a fireworks display presented by Cincinnati-based Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics (after the concert). Sponsored by Independence Bank

WHERE: On the riverfront in downtown Paducah

WHEN: July 4, 5 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: The rain date for the celebration, if needed, is July 5. paducahky.gov/independence-day-celebration.

4th of July at Barren River Lake State Resort Park

WHAT: Back to the Beach for an all day beach party with a fireworks show, food vendors, swimming and games. Fireworks at dusk.

WHERE: 1149 State Park Road, Lucas, Kentucky

WHEN: July 4, 10 a.m. to 10 

MORE INFORMATION: 270-646-2151

Reach Features Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com