INDIANAPOLIS — Downtown Indy’s Fourth Fest presented by UA Local 440 returns featuring a street festival and 20-minute fireworks show on Saturday, July 4. The street festival, presented by Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana, begins at 6 pm with food trucks, ice cream stands, beverages, and a Kids Zone on St Clair Street and American Legion Mall, 700 N. Pennsylvania St. St. Clair St. to North St. between Meridian and Pennsylvania Sts.
Downtown Indy, Inc.’s festival stage on North Street will feature live musical performances in addition to pre-event interviews and programming from Indiana Donor Network and Donate Life Indiana.
Fireworks begin just after 10 pm and the launch site remains at the 500 N. Meridian building with optimal viewing areas on the Indiana War Memorial Grounds and American Legion Mall. Fireworks will be synced to popular patriotic and themed music aired on local Radio One radio stations.
So what exactly are we celebrating? The signing of the Declaration of Independence happened on this day in 1776. Thomas Jefferson wrote the original draft between June 11 and June 28, 1776, and it was revised and edited by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and the rest of the Continental Congress, before the document was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. The American Revolutionary War actually started April 19, 1775, and the declaration sent to King George III affirmed that the colonies were making a break with England’s rule. The Revolutionary War ended September 3, 1783, and between 25,000 and 70,000 patriots lost their lives (only about 7,000 died in battle — the others died of illness).
Admitted to the Union on December 11, 1816 as the 19th state, Hoosiers have much to be proud of. According to the Indiana Secretary of State Civic Web site, Indiana has contributed to the economic and political power of the U.S. in many ways. Indiana is the second-largest car-producing state in the U.S., housing major plants for General Motors, Honda, and Subaru. Indiana consistently ranks among the top states for producing U.S. corn and soybeans — and produces over 20% of the United States’ entire popcorn supply.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway tested seat belts that were added to passenger cars. Invented in Indianapolis by Richard Jordan Gatling, the Gatling Gun was early rapid-fire machine gun revolutionized warfare. Indiana merchant William Blackstone invented the first domestic washing machine for in-home use.
We are home to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing (and the largest single day sporting event in the world), the Indianapolis 500. The first professional baseball game in U.S. history was played in Fort Wayne on May 4, 1871.
The state has produced six U.S. Vice Presidents: Schuyler Colfax, Thomas A. Hendricks, Charles W. Fairbanks, Thomas Marshall, Dan Quayle, and Mike Pence. Benjamin Harrison (the 23rd president) is the only U.S. president actually elected from Indiana.
Let’s wave that flag and stay cool July 4 to celebrate the country’s birthday!
