LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 12, 2018) — Get ready for two days packed with patriotic entertainment at this year’s Fifth Third Bank Presents Lexington’s Fourth of July Festival! The celebration kicks off July 3 at noon with the Great American Pie Contest and will culminate with the return of fireworks to downtown July 4.
“We’re thrilled to bring the fireworks back downtown for this year’s Fourth of July festivities,” said Terry Sweeny, president and CEO of the Downtown Lexington Partnership. “And we’re excited to add a new twist to this year’s show. Thanks to LM Communications, viewers can listen to a special broadcast timed to the fireworks display. So no matter where you’re watching the fireworks— as long as you have a smart phone, computer or radio access— you can tune in.”
Also returning to the event lineup this year is July Fourth Live!, a pre-fireworks concert at Fifth Third Bank Pavilion that will begin at 7 p.m.
All events are free and open to the public, except participation in the Bluegrass 10,000. Check out the full schedule of events and details below:
Tuesday, July 3
- Great American Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social
- Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Cheapside Park (251 W. Main St.)
- noon – 1 p.m.
- This event kicks off the city’s Independence Day celebration. The best bakers in town will be competing to see who has the best pie in Lexington. The registration deadline is July 1. The public is encouraged to stop by Fifth Third Pavilion for a free pie slice and scoop of ice cream.
- Patriotic Music Concert
- Transylvania University, Morrison Lawn (250 W. Third St.)
- 8 p.m.
This year’s Patriotic Music Concert will feature the Lexington Philharmonic, performing an array of American classics. Patrons are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for seating, and outside food and beverages are permitted.In the event of rain, the concert will be held at Transylvania University’s Mitchell Fine Arts Center. Space will be limited to the first 1,000 guests and food and beverages will not be allowed within the theatre.
Wednesday, July 4
- Bluegrass 10,000 and Fun Run
- Downtown Lexington
- 7:30 a.m.
The Bluegrass 10,000 is a certified 10,000 meter race through the main business and historic districts of downtown Lexington. New this year are early bird signup discounts, free race photo downloads, race pacers and a Bluegrass 10K training program.
Online registration is open through July 2 and the early bird registration ends June 15.
- Downtown Street Festival
- Downtown Lexington
- 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The street festival will feature arts and crafts, nonprofit organizations, concessions vendors and more. Entertainment begins at 11 a.m. and will feature various country, rock, R&B and Bluegrass bands on five stages.
The general vendor application deadline is June 15.
- Reading of the Declaration of Independence
- Main St., in front of the old historic courthouse
- 11 a.m.
- Parade
- Downtown Lexington (Midland Ave. to Mill St.)
- 2 p.m.
The annual Fourth of July parade down Main Street will feature traditional parade fair and is great event for the entire family.
The deadline for parade entries is Wednesday, June 30. The parade entry application provides complete registration details.
- July Fourth Live!
- Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Cheapside Park (251 W. Main St.)
- 7 – 9:30 p.m.
This pre-fireworks concert will feature the Lauren Mink Band, and is a fantastic event to attend between the festival and the fireworks finale.
- Fireworks
- Lexington Financial Center (aka “the big blue building”)
- 10 p.m.
- The Fourth of July fireworks display will for the first time ever be launched downtown from the roof of the Lexington Financial Center. Viewers will need to be at least 2-3 blocks away from the building to see the show, and anyone in the city with a view of the top of “the big blue building” will be able to experience the show.
LM Communications will be playing a special broadcast that will pair with the fireworks show. Listeners can tune in by downloading the free Classic Rock 92 app, streaming online or turning into Classic Rock 92.1 FM on the radio.
Visit Downtown Lexington Partnership’s official website at downtownlex.com for a list of festival events and follow DLP on social media for updates throughout the festival: @DLexPartnership, instagram.com/downtownlexpartnership, facebook.com/DowntownLexPartnership.
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