Lexington, Central Kentucky July 4th festival, parade and fireworks guide
The Fourth of July is here, and Lexington and other Central Kentucky cities and communities have plenty of festivities planned to celebrate Independence Day.
That’s especially true in Lexington since this year’s July 4th celebration will look a lot like pre-pandemic celebrations. After two years of cancellations and restrictions due to COVID-19, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said this year’s festivities will closely resemble those from before the pandemic, including the return of the downtown parade.
This list, guide and schedule will tell you the best local events and times for concerts, parades and of course, fireworks, for the long 4th of July holiday weekend.
Friday, July 1
The holiday festivities in Lexington begin Friday, July 1 with an Ice Cream Social downtown at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park, 251 W. Main St.
The city will be providing cold treats to cool down along with music to kick off the holiday weekend from Young at Heart Dixieland Band.
It is a free event that runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. facebook.com/events/5174809232566369
Saturday, July 2
The events in Lexington continue with Red, White & Blues, a concert at the Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St.
The concert is family-friendly and will feature live music from Blues guitarist Greg Schafer (5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.) and Lexington native TeeDee Young (7 p.m.-9 p.m).
There will be food trucks there and the event is free to attend and will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
It is recommended for concert-goers to bring lawn chairs or blankets. facebook.com/events/682559029514547
Sunday, July 3
If you’re wanting more music, be sure to attend the popular Patriotic Concert on the lawn at Transylvania University in Gratz Park.
The pre-show will kick off at 5 p.m. with a performance from Young at Heart Big Band.
The Lexington Philharmonic will then perform at 7:30 for the main show.
There will be food trucks present at the concert.
It is recommended for concert-goers to bring lawn chairs or blankets to this event. facebook.com/events/983020445734672
Monday, July 4
The 4th is jam-packed with activities throughout the day in Lexington.
The festivities begin at 7:25 a.m. sharp with the 46th annual Bluegrass 10,000 Fun and Run.
Thousands of runners will line up at the corner of Main and N. Limestone Streets for the 10,000 meter race. Registration is still open for the race, which welcomes runners to dress up in costume. LexingtonKy.gov/Bluegrass-10-000-And-Fun-Run.
The Fourth of July Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Lexington’s Courtyard Plaza and will feature live music from Kentucky musician Boogie G.
Food trucks will be present.
Lexington’s Fourth of July Parade is back and will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will run along Main Street from Midland Avenue to Mill Street.
Lastly, the grand finale will be the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at 10 p.m. at the R.J. Corman Railroad Group facilities on the corner of Main Street and Oliver Lewis Way. Spectators can see the display throughout downtown Lexington.
More details about Lexington’s July 4 celebtration can be found at LexingtonKy.gov/FourthOfJuly.
Georgetown July 4 events
Georgetown will be holding a 4th of July Parade on Monday, July 4.
It will begin at 11 a.m., starting on College Street and feature a theme of “Celebrating Teachers!”.
There will also be fireworks that night beginning at dusk at Brooking Park. Georgetownky.com/events
Richmond July 4 events
Richmond will be holding a 4th of July celebration starting at 5 p.m. at Lake Reba Park.
There will be live music, inflatables, free admission to Paradise Cove swimming from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., and free mini golf at Adventure Falls from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. The celebration will include food trucks, beer and wine vendors.
The fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m.
It is free to attend. Richmond.ky.us/1358/4th-of-July-Celebration
Frankfort July 4 events
The Great Buffalo Trace 5K returns to in-person, 8 a.m. at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Fee is $20 if you register before noon, July 2, $25 after.Race is limited to 1,000 runners. buffalotracedistillery.com
Frankfort Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4075 will be hosting its annual fireworks display on Monday night at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks can be viewed from downtown Frankfort. Visitfrankfort.com/event/7162/
Nicholasville July 4 events
R.J. Corman will be hosting Nicholasville’s annual 4th of July fireworks show.
The fireworks will be launched on US-27 and can be viewed from the intersection of Wilmore Road and April Highway. It is free to attend. There will be free, limited parking on the R.J. Corman site begining at 8 p.m. RJCorman.com
Versailles July 4 events
Versailles will celebrate our nations Independence with a bicycle decorating contest, honor walk, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, dance contests, a DJ, trivia, interactive sports, an obstacle course and more.
The events start 6 p.m. Monday at Falling Springs Center, 275 Beasley Rd. Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m., bring lawn chairs. facebook.com/events/554339559608996
Wilmore July 4 events
The RJ Corman 5K Run kicks off events 8 a.m. Saturday through downtown Wilmore. $18. https://runsignup.com
At 10 a.m. Monday there will be a parade up E. Main Street with the best viewing area in front of Asbury University. Part of the parade includes the Wilmore Lawnmower Brigade, almost 20 men marching with choreographed movements and maneuvers while pushing lawnmowers. Immediately following at 11 a.m. will be the festival at Wilmore Municipal Center, 210 S. Lexington Ave. There will be food trucks, craft vendors, live music, inflatables and a dog agility course. facebook.com/CityOfWilmore
Winchester July 4 events
Winchester will be holding Lights Over Lykins on Sunday, July 3 at Lykins Park.
From 5:30 p.m.-11 p.m. there will be a DJ, mechanical animals, a foam fest, animal rides, food trucks and more. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.
It is free to the public. Winchesterky.com
