For the past two years, our Independence Day celebrations were curtailed by the pandemic. Communities got creative with ways to celebrate safely. There were larger, higher fireworks displays that were viewable from a wider area so that residents didn't need to leave their porches and back yards. There were drive-in style events where everyone watched the displays in their vehicles. And who could forget the socially-distanced parades? Most communities, however, opted to cancel the festivities out of an abundance of caution.
This year, it seems everyone is making up for lost time, and the weekend is gonna be lit. Here's a look at what's going on around Greater Cincinnati for the Fourth of July.
Friday, July 1
Hamilton: Red, White and Carts Weekend, all day Friday-Monday, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road. Discounted art carts and wine. Admission: $10, $5 ages 6-12, free ages 5-under. pyramidhill.org.
Independence: July 4th Celebration, 5-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Park, 2003 Jack Woods Parkway. Family-friendly festival features Circus Mojo performances, live music and a Roman candle display at 10 p.m. Friday, On Saturday, car show at Kroger Marketplace, parade at 3 p.m. from Summit View Academy to Simon Kenton High School, live music and Vito's fireworks at 10 p.m. facebook.com.
Oakley: Fourth of July Freedom Fest, 5-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oakley Kitchen Food Hall, 3715 Madison Road. Kid-friendly activities with bounce house, arts and crafts, prizes and more. Family-friendly games, DJ on Sunday, food and drinks all weekend. facebook.com.
West Chester Township: Taps, Tastes & Tunes, 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Voice of America Museum and Park, 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester Township. Featuring food vendors, ice-cold drinks and live entertainment. Friday's lineup: Model Behavior, My Sister Sarah. Saturday: Vinyl Countdown, 3 Day Rule, What She Said. Sunday: Ninety Four .04, Naked Karate Girls, Spin Doctors. Fireworks at 10 p.m. Sunday. Free. cincyfests.com.
Saturday, July 2
Burlington: Holiday for Heroes Celebration, 4 p.m.-midnight, Arborwood Subdivision, 4655-4657 Catalpa Court. Includes BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers, sides, soda, water and beer, live music from DV8 and Rozzi's fireworks. Proceeds benefit scholarships for military and first responder families. Bring lawn chairs. $20, $50 family of 4. holidayforheroes.org.
Downtown: 4th of July Celebration, 2-10 p.m., Sawyer Point Park, 705 E. Pete Rose Way. Food, drinks, family-friendly entertainment. Live music from Erin Coburn, Crown Watts, Classic Rock Experience, and Thunderstruck. Fireworks close out the night. Free. cincinnati-oh-gov.
Fort Thomas: Independence Day Parade & Celebration, 10:30 a.m. Tower Park, 900 Fort Thomas Ave. Parade starts at Highlands High School and ends at Tower Park. Celebration starts at 5 p.m. with bands, food and beverages. Fireworks at 10 p.m. ftthomas.org.
Liberty Township: Light Up Liberty, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 6-10 p.m. Sunday, 6101 Princeton Glendale Road. Features family fun zone, carnival rides and games, food trucks, live music with 7evnth Time Down, Derrick Loudermilk Band and David and the Giants. There's a 5K walk/run and car show on Saturday, fireworks on Sunday. lightupliberty.com.
Madeira: Independence Day Parade and Celebration, 4:30-10 p.m., McDonald Commons Park, Madeira. Madeira Mile at 4:30 p.m., parade at 5 p.m., food, beer and entertainment at park, fireworks at 10 p.m. Free.
New Richmond: Freedom Fest 2022, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, VFW Fred Calaway Post 6770, New Richmond. Family-friendly entertainment, petting zoo, inflatables, foam pit, craft and food vendors, music and food. On Sunday, cruise-in from noon to 4 p.m., parade along Front St. at 5 p.m., live music and Rozzi's fireworks at end of night. Brinks helicopter rides both days. facebook.com.
Northside: Rock 'n Roll Carnival, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Jacob Hoffner Park, 4101 Hamilton Ave., Northside. Everyone knows that Northside rocks, and it is never more apparent than around Independence Day. After a two-year hiatus, the Northside Rock n' Roll Carnival returns in all its wonderfully wacky, beautiful glory. The park pavilion is turned into a festive beer garden. City's best Independence Day Parade is held on July 4. Live music all day every day, plus fire breathers, drag and burlesque shows, carnival sideshow and more. Bands include: Saturday: Sen Morimoto, Flocks, the Harlequins, Vacation, Quotah, Patterns of Chaos, Coast Off, Mynah Tones, Rae Fisher, National Barks, Sate the Renegade. Sunday's lineup: Kaina, Carriers, Multimagic, the Serfs, Fruit Looops, Wavelette, Culture Queer, Heist, Bailey Miller, Blood Chill, School of Rock. Monday's lineup: Mol Sullivan, Freedom Nichole Moore, Leggy, Moon Cruiser, the Ampfibians. facebook.com.
Oxford: Freedom Festival Parade, 6:30 p.m. Begins at corner of College and High streets and follows High to Poplar Street. Cash prizes for best float, decorated bike, and pet costume. enjoyoxford.org.
Rising Sun: Stars & Stripes Celebration, 4-11 p.m., S. Front St. Features arts and crafts, food trucks, golf cart parade at 5 p.m., live music with Saffire Express, DJ JD Hughes, fireworks at 10 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the festivities. Free.
Sunday, July 3
Anderson Township: Balloon Glow, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. Enjoy carnival food and games, swimming at Sunlite Pool and inflatables during the day, then watch the night sky glow with hot air balloons from 8-10 p.m. Evening ends with fireworks display by Rozzi's Famous Fireworks. $25 parking after 2 p.m., $20 before 2 p.m., $10 walk-in. Sunlite Water Adventure is additional cost. coneyislandpark.com.
Blanchester: 4th of July, 5-11 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, 318 E. Main St. Vendors, live music Friday from HiFi Honey and Danny Frazier Band. Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Monday, rides and games, live music by Quiet Storm, circus performances, car show and fireworks display at dusk at the high school. blanchesterchamber.com.
Colerain Township: 4th of July Spectacular, 7-10 p.m., Drew Campbell Memorial Commons, 4160 Springdale Road. Children's activities, food trucks and more. Vintage baseball game at 1 p.m. at Colerain Park. No on-site parking. From 6 p.m. midnight parking is available at Colerain Middle School and Northgate Mall, with shuttle service. No coolers, no oversized bags and no pets. colerain.org.
Fairfield: Red, White & Kaboom, 10 p.m. Harbin Park is under construction, but soccer lot will be open to foot traffic. Show is designed with bigger, higher shells over a larger viewing zone so that more residents can see from porches. Soundtrack simulcast on 92.9 Jack FM. fairfield-city.org.
Green Township: Concert and Fireworks, 5:30 p.m., Kuliga Park, 6717 Bridgetown Road, Green Township. Food and drinks, live music by Jim Trace & the Makers and Saffire Express. Fireworks at dusk. Shuttle bus service from Dulles School (6481 Bridgetown Road) and Our Lady of Visitation School (3180 South Road) beginning at 5:30 p.m. greentwp.org.
Kings Mills: Kings Island Independence Day Fireworks, 10 p.m., 6300 Kings Island Drive. Park will remain open until midnight on July 3. The fireworks show is 14 minutes long and features 200 synchronized drones, fire bursts, laser projections, fireworks and an original score. visitkingsisland.com.
Mason: Red, Rhythm & Boom, 4 p.m., Municipal Campus, 6000 Mason Montgomery Road. Enjoy carnival rides and games, food trucks, adult beverages, kids zone activities like interactive inflatables and bounce houses, live music including headliner Smash Mouth, and fireworks at 10 p.m. Lawn seating on a first-come basis starting at 3 p.m. Free. imaginemason.org.
Middletown: Broad Street Blast, 4 p.m. to midnight, Smith Park. DJ Paige Morgan, live music by I Dig Pig and Dayton Funk Allstars. Fireworks at the end of the night. facebook.com.
Milford: Sparks in the Park, 7-10 p.m., Riverside Ball Field, Water St. Special event DORA cups, food trucks, live music with Sean Riley and Billy Rock Band, and Rozzi's Famous Fireworks at 10 p.m. milfordohio.org.
Montgomery: Patriotic Concert, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Montgomery City Hall, 10101 Montgomery Road. The Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra performs outdoor concert. Bring chairs/blankets. Free.
Mount Healthy: Independence Day, 6-10 p.m., City Park, 1541 Hill Ave., Mount Healthy. Ice cream social, live music with Michelle Robinson Band and fireworks at dusk. mthealthy.org.
Mount Washington: Independence Day Parade, 6-8 p.m., Stanbery Park, 2221 Oxford Ave. facebook.com.
Newport: Independence Day Cruise, 6:30-11:30 p.m., BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row. Includes round trip cruise to Coney Island for Balloon Glow and fireworks, DJ entertainment, coffee, tea, iced tea and water, indoor seating and full dinner buffet. Cash bar. $80, $55 ages 4-12. bbriverboats.com.
Oxford: Freedom Festival, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Oxford Community Park, 6801 Fairfield Road. Family-friendly entertainment, food, vendors, activities and fireworks. $5 parking fee per vehicle. enjoyoxford.org.
Reading: American Legion 4th of July Celebration, 10 p.m., Koenig Park, 520 W. Columbia Ave.
Sharonville: Stars & Stripes Beneath the Lights, 6-10:30 p.m., Sharon & Chester roads. Game booths, food trucks, free inflatables, cornhole, giant Connect Four and Jenga and more. Live music with the Remains at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 10 p.m. Parking at Princeton Community Middle School, Viking Village and Princeton High School. sharonville.org.
Monday, July 4
Anderson Township: Fourth of July Parade, 10 a.m. to noon. Parade runs from Anderson Township Operations Center (7954 Beechmont Ave.) to Anderson Towne Center (7500 Beechmont Ave.). More than 65 entries. Prizes for best entries: Best Neighborhood Display, Best Float, Best Patriotic Display, Best Business Entry and Most Spirited. andersonparade.com.
Anderson Township: Red, White & Boom!, Riverbend Music Center. John Morris Russell, conductor. The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra performs a showcase of American favorites, capped off by fireworks at end of night. Free lawn tickets for ages 17-under. cincinnatisymphony.org.
Blue Ash: Red, White & Blue Ash, 4-10:30 p.m., Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash. Family-friendly festival with rides, local food vendors, drinks, live character performances and live music with headliner Gavin DeGraw. Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics fireworks follow. Free admission. blueashevents.com.
Covington: Fourth of July Festival, 1-6 p.m., Sisters of Notre Dame, 1601 Dixie Highway. Raffles, family fun, food, music, festival market, kids games, online auction.
East End: Red, White & Marooned, 5-9 p.m., Pirate's Cove Tropical Bar, 4609 Kellogg Ave. Live music and more. facebook.com.
Edgewood: 4th of July Extravaganza, Presidents Park, 283 Dudley Road and Freedom Park, 550 Freedom Park Drive. Independence Day 5K starts at 7:30 a.m. Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. from Caywood Elementary School and Turkeyfoot Middle School and ends at Presidents Park. All parade participants will be in or on vehicles; no walkers. A brief ceremony concludes the parade. A concert at Freedom Park takes place at 7:30 p.m. featuring Derek Alan Band, and fireworks begin around 9:45 p.m. edgewoodky.gov.
Evendale: Fourth Fest, 6-10 p.m., Food trucks, inflatables, DJ, carnival games and more. Rozzi's fireworks at 10 p.m. Parking available at Baxter Park lot, tennis courts lot, Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, GE Credit Union and Evendale Crossings Shopping Plaza. evendaleohio.org.
Fort Mitchell: Independence Day Parade, 12:30-3:30 p.m., 2355 Dixie Highway. fortmitchell.com.
Goshen: Family, Faith & Fireworks, 4-9 p.m., Goshen High School practice fields, 6707 Goshen Road. Live music, food trucks, games, inflatables, vendors and a fireworks display at dark.
Hamilton: July 4th Celebration, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Parade at 10 a.m. from Butler County Fairgrounds to F Street. Patriotic ceremony at noon at Fitton Center. Various events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at historic buildings and the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, live music from 7-10 p.m. at RiversEdge Amphitheater with the Interns and That Arena Rock Show, fireworks at 10 p.m. shot from Veteran's Park and viewable along river and downtown. Free.
Hamilton: Stricker's Grove Amusement Park, 3-11 p.m., 11490 Hamilton Cleves Road. Free entry into park, midway and rides cost extra. Rozzi's fireworks at 10 p.m. Parking is $5 before 6 p.m. and $10 afterward, cash only,
Harrison: Fourth of July Fireworks & Fireworks, 4 p.m., Harrison Community Center, 300 George St. Parade route follows Broadway to State St., north on Harrison Ave., then to Washington. Grand marshal is Mike Dole. Family-friendly activities start at 5 p.m. at the community center with stilt walker, magician, face painting, balloon sculpting, caricature artists, games and prizes. There's a cornhole tournament at 6 p.m., live music by the Renegades at 7 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. harrisonohio.gov.
Hebron: 4th of July Parade, 10 a.m., Chester Goodridge Elementary School, 3330 Cougar Path. Starts at the school and follows Cougar Path to Connor Road, then Petersburg Road to Limaburg Road before returning to school. facebook.com.
Liberty Township: 4th of July Parade, 9 a.m. Starts at Lakota East High School, follows Wyandot Lane and loops back to high school.
Loveland: Independence Day Celebration, 4-10 p.m., Nisbet Park, 126 Karl Brown Way. Wear your red, white and blue and enjoy celebrations throughout the city. From 4-6:30 p.m. there's a kids zone with mini petting zoo, games, activities and Disney princesses and Marvel characters. There's also food trucks and beer, plus from 8-10 p.m. live music by Color Blind. Parade steps off at 7 p.m. from Loveland Elementary and follows W. Loveland Ave. through downtown, ending at the intersection of State Route 48 and E. Loveland Ave. Enjoy lawn games in front of City Hall and Fountain Greene. Fireworks at 10 p.m. Parking shuttles run 4-11 p.m. from Loveland High School (1 Tiger Trail) and Loveland Early Childhood Center (6740 Loveland-Miamiville Rodd) to Riverside Drive and Third St. Free. lovelandoh.gov.
Maineville and Hamilton Township: Freedom Parade & Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Testerman Park, 8373 Maineville Road. Parade is followed by a skydiving show at 11 a.m., live music, inflatables, cool down zone with water slides, games, beer garden, food trucks and more. Parking available at Maineville Baptist and United Methodist Churches, Evo Fit and Testerman Park. hamilton-township.org.
Middletown: 4th of July Parade, 10 a.m. Starts at Smith Park (500 Tytus Ave.) and travels down Verity Parkway to Fourteenth St. Grand marshal is Sam Ashworth. facebook.com.
Monroe: Light Up the Sky, noon, Monroe Community Park, 550 S. Main St. Parade at noon between Kroger and park. From 1 p.m. enjoy a vintage baseball game, beer tent, kids area and live music. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. set off from top of Mound Cemetery and visible throughout the city. Free.
Montgomery: Independence Day Parade and Festival, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Montgomery Park, 10101 Montgomery Road. Parade runs east along Cooper Road from the Junior High School to Montgomery Road, then north on Schoolhouse Land. Prizes. After the parade, enjoy food, beer, crafts, games, entertainment and family-friendly fun.
Mount Lookout: Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Ault Park, 5090 Observatory Circle, Mount Lookout. Children's parade at 11 a.m., evening program starts at 6 p.m. and features live music from GenX. Rozzi's Famous Fireworks at 10 p.m. aultparkac.org.
Norwood: Hometown Fireworks, 8 p.m., Shea Stadium, 2603 Harris Ave. Cincinnati Tradition Drum & Bugle Corps performs, followed by Rozzi's Famous Fireworks. No alcohol, coolers or pets permitted on stadium grounds or parking lot. Free. norwoodohio.gov.
Over-the-Rhine: 4th of July Celebration, 4-10 p.m., Washington Park, Over-the-Rhine. Live music, kids activities, food and drinks. Fireworks cap off the night around 9:15 p.m. Free. washingtonpark.org.
Sayler Park: 4th of July Bike Parade, 10 a.m., Sayler Park School, 6700 Home City Ave. All ages are encouraged to decorate bicycles and ride in parade. Bike decorating contest. Free. facebook.com.
Wyoming: July 4th Celebration, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Village Green and Oak Park. Parade starts at 10 a.m. from Oak Ave. to Wyoming Ave., north on Springfield Pike, east on Wentworth Ave., south on Burns Ave, then east on Wyoming Ave. Live music at Village Green, games, food, inflatables and bounce house at Oak Park. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
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