Celebrate the Fourth of July in downtown Lexington as the whole city gears up for one of its biggest celebrations. With a long menu of great food, rocking music, and awe-inspiring fireworks, there’s nowhere else that can rival the city’s plans to give you a spectacular July 4th week. And if you think this years celebration is just about the fireworks, you’re wrong. Beyond those sparkling dazzlers, you can prepare for the All-American Pie Contest or show off your stamina in the Bluegrass 10,000. There’ll be lots of family-oriented activities and fun-filled games for the kids. So, if you’ve already planned something for July 4th, now is the time to cancel them. This year’s celebration is going to make you feel proud that you live in Lexington!
Here’s a taste of what to expect this year:
American Pie Contest & Ice Cream Social – July 2nd
Kicking off the festivities July 2nd is the great American Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social. Bakers from around Lexington will be competing to win over your taste-buds and claimed the famed spot as best American pie maker. You can get a taste as pies will be cut around noon at the Fifth-Third Pavillion in Cheapside Park. They’ll be accompanied by ice cream from Chaney’s Dairy Barn, leaving you with nothing but a sweet taste of how events are going to turn out.
Patriotic Concert – July 3rd
If American pie and ice cream wasn’t enough to get you in the spirit, then the Patriotic Concert at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3rd, will definitely put you in the right mood. Hosted outside the Old Morrison at Transylvania University, the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra and Lexington Singers will be putting on a dazzling display of American-inspired music. If you’d like to hear the sounds of the Young at Heart Jazz Band, they’ll be playing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Big Celebration – July 4th
To get the big day started, Lexington will be hosting the Bluegrass 10,000, which is a 10k race looping around the city. Online registration is open through June 26. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. while the fun run begins at 8:15 a.m. The Crank Wheelchair Division will commence at 7:20 a.m. before the 10k race. By 9 a.m. the streets of downtown Lexington will be filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of July 4th. Streets will be lined with arts and crafts while food and beverage will be bountiful. Entertainment will be supplied all day long (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) at five different sites. Children’s craft activities will be held on the corner of Short and Limestone streets between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At 2 o’clock, get ready for the the Lexington parade as it passes down Main Street from Midland Avenue to Broadway. Music festivals and concerts will continue from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Fifth-Third Pavilion in Cheapside Park. The big finale starts at 10 o’clock with a rainbow of fireworks being shot into the sky. You’ll be able to view them all around downtown.
The After-Party – July 5th
If you still want more of the July 4th festivities, you can attend the Red, White, and Boom! concert (along with fireworks) on Friday, July 5th at Whitaker Ball Park. Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is $9 at the door.
