How will Lafayette celebrate Independence Day? Parade, music, singing, fireworks

Margaret Christopherson, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read
The Tippecanoe County Courthouse is illuminated as fireworks explode in the distance, Sunday, July 4, 2021 in Lafayette.
The Tippecanoe County Courthouse is illuminated as fireworks explode in the distance, Sunday, July 4, 2021 in Lafayette.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As the Greater Lafayette area gets ready to celebrate the Fourth of July, you may be wondering what festive events are happening in the area.

Here's a breakdown of some Fourth of July celebrations happening throughout the area.

Lafayette Fourth of July Parade

At 11 a.m. Monday, July 4, the Lafayette Fourth of July Parade will begin at 16th and Alabama Streets and proceed onto Main Street. It will proceed on to Wallace Avenue by the Frozen Custard and turn onto Park Avenue in Columbian Park.

This year's parade theme is "Hats off to America!" As such, the parade will feature a walking hat-parade featuring participants with festively decorated hats.

Stars and Stripes Independence Day Celebration and Concert

At 6 p.m. on July 4, Riehle Plaza will be filled with the sounds of The Lafayette Citizens Band. The Stars and Stripes concert is an annual event featuring local musicians playing classic patriotic tunes.

This year's concert will feature the Freedom Singers; Lafayette Jeff Jazz Combo and Alumni Band; Clave Caribe Latin Music Band and the Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corp.

The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with food trucks will available to visitors along Second and Main Streets before and during the concert.

At 6 p.m. is when the Lafayette Jeff Jazz Combo & Alumni Band will perform followed by the Lafayette Citizens Band and The Freedom Singers at 7:45 p.m.

The Lafayette Citizens Band performs a concert at Riehle Plaza on July 4, 2021, in Lafayette, Ind. The band played for attendees before the firework show.
The Lafayette Citizens Band performs a concert at Riehle Plaza on July 4, 2021, in Lafayette, Ind. The band played for attendees before the firework show.

At 8:50 p.m., mayors Tony Roswarski, Lafayette, and John Dennis, West Lafayette, will speak, along with Tippecanoe County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh and City Clerk Cindy Murray, who also serves as Stars and Stripes chair.

The 9 p.m. performance will feature the Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps. The evening of music will be finished out with the Lafayette Citizen Band and The Freedom Singers at 9:15 p.m. before the fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

Children play with bubbles at Riehle Plaza on July 4, 2021, in Lafayette, Ind. People gathered around to celebrate the Fourth of July before the fireworks show.
Children play with bubbles at Riehle Plaza on July 4, 2021, in Lafayette, Ind. People gathered around to celebrate the Fourth of July before the fireworks show.

The full program for the event can be viewed on the City of Lafayette website.

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 4th of July festivities in Lafayette include parade, music, fireworks