Beech Grove will get a day’s jump on all the festivities, with the Beech Grove Promoter’s Club All American Day in the Park July 3 from 4 p.m. Food, music, and kid’s games in the main shelter at Sarah T. Bolton Park (1300 Churchman Ave.) will start the evening off, culminating in a fireworks display at about 10 p.m. The event is free. Please note that there will be no parking allowed within the park grounds (except handicap parking), so arrive early to find appropriate street parking nearby.
Want some old-fashioned family fun on July 4? Head over to Southport for the Third Annual Southport 4th of July Parade and Celebration from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The parade begins at Southport Elementary (261 Anniston Dr.) and goes north to Walnut and ends at Southport Park (6901 Derbyshire). For the first time ever, there will be a Duckie Race in Buck Creek after the parade. Ducks can be purchased at the race. There will be an Independence Day Service at the park at 11:45 a.m., followed by lunch at 12:30 featuring free hot dogs, chips, and drinks.
The City of Greenfield will be celebrating the Fourth of July with free fireworks on Saturday, July 4th, at 9:45 p.m.. The fireworks show will be launched from the Greenfield Central Junior High School field (1440 N Franklin St.). Due to the saturation of the grounds at the Junior High School, no parking will be allowed on the west side of Franklin Street along school property.
The City of Lawrence will hold their annual 4th Fest on July 3 at Lawrence Community park, when Toy Factory performs from 5-9 p.m. There will be a special celebration for Blue Star families (those with loved ones who in active military service). The fun resumes Saturday morning, when the parade steps off from 52nd and Richardt Ave., heading south to 47th St., and east to Franklin Rd., then north to the park. The Lawrence Lions’ annual fish fry will run from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Community Center, and local band perform from 4 p.m. on, and visitors will find food trucks, vendors, and a kid’s zone. The fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m.
In Indianapolis, the Donato’s Downtown Freedom Blast on July 4 at the Indiana War Memorial Grounds, 431 N. Meridian St., is going to be one of the biggest events in the area (weather permitting). The grounds will be open at 6:30 p.m. and food and drink can be purchased at the event. The fireworks begin at 10 p.m. (weather permitting), launched from the Regions Building.
If you are tempted to set off fireworks around your home, local officials want to remind everyone of the local ordinance regarding fireworks. Section 407-201 of the Revised code governs when it is legally allowable to set off fireworks. Call non-emergency IMPD 327-3811 if there are issues. The offenders can be cited. At no time is it allowable to use the property of another, without permission, to set off fireworks. Even if location regulations are followed, damaging someone else’s property with fireworks could result in a $5,000 fine and one year imprisonment.
Fireworks are permitted from June 29 to July 3rd, 9 a.m. until 2 hours after sunset; on July 4th, 9 a.m. until midnight, and July 5th through 9th, 9 a.m. until 2 hours after sunset. Please be considerate of neighbors, especially those with nervous and easily frightened pets, and veterans who may suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Banks, libraries, and BMV branches will be closed for the holiday.
