Home » Lexington Fourth of July festival will ‘Celebrate Heroes’

Lexington Fourth of July festival will ‘Celebrate Heroes’

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 28, 2014) — The city will salute military personnel, veterans and first responders during this year’s Fourth of July Festival. The theme will be ‘Celebrating Heroes,’ Mayor Jim Gray announced.

fireworks“As America celebrates Independence Day, it’s important we honor the men and women who defend our nation and protect our rights and freedom,” Gray said. “From the Patriotic Concert, to the parade and fireworks, Lexington will pay tribute to our local heroes.”

Veterans and members of Lexington’s public safety divisions are encouraged to take part in festival activities, said Donna Moloney, Chair of the Fourth of July Festival committee. “The Patriotic Concert will feature the 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky National Guard, and the parade will include representatives from Police, Fire, and each branch of the military,” Moloney said.

Organizations and bands interested in participating in the parade should contact Laura Farnsworth of the Downtown Lexington Corporation at 859-425-2593 or [email protected]. Equine units, bands and veterans groups are exempt from parade entry fees.

The Fourth of July Festival is managed by the Downtown Lexington Corp. in conjunction with the city.

Sponsors include Alltech, Bluegrass Sports Commission, Clear Channel Media, ABC 36, Transylvania University, the Lexington Herald-Leader, LEX 18, Bluegrass Towing, Don Jacobs Honda/BMW/VW/Used Cars, HDR Engineering, Fayette County Democratic Party, Fayette Cooperating Nursery School & Kindergarten, WKYT, G&J Pepsi and Thorntons, GRW Engineers, Hilton Lexington/Downtown, Kentucky Utilities, Langley Properties, RJ Corman Railroad, Thomas and King, Tetra Tech.  For more information, visit www.downtownlex.com.

Great American Pie Contest

The festivities kick off Wednesday, July 2, with the Great American Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social, presented by Alltech. Bakers will be competing to see who has the best pie in Lexington. Come enjoy a slice, along with some Chaney’s Dairy Barn ice cream, at noon in the Fifth-Third Pavilion, Cheapside Park.

Patriotic Concert

The free Patriotic Concert always draws a big crowd to the lawn of Old Morrison at Transylvania University. This year’s show features the 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky National Guard. The concert begins at 8 p.m., Thursday, July 3.

Bluegrass 10,000

This year marks the 38th year for Lexington’s annual Independence Day race. The Crank Wheelchair Division starts at 7:20 a.m., the Wheelchair Division starts at 7:25 a.m., the 10K starts at 7:30 a.m., and the Fun Run begins at 8:15 a.m.

New for the race this year are $500 cash prizes for first place overall male and female winners in the 10k and Wheelchair Divisions. Online registration begins on May 28 and will continue through June 25. All other registration begins on June 2. Entry forms are available at the Race Headquarters, the Lexington Herald-Leader and the Downtown Lexington Corp. The Race Headquarters are located at the Dunbar Community Center, 545 N. Upper St. Office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 2-6, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 9 through July 1.

Street Festival

The streets of downtown Lexington will be filled with music, entertainment, arts and crafts vendors and food and beverage stands from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 4. With five entertainment sites, there will be plenty to see and do.

Entertainment sites:

Upper Courthouse Plaza

Billboard Parking Lot

Phoenix Park

Old Courthouse at Upper Street

Fifth Third Bank Pavilion

Parade

It wouldn’t be a 4th of July of festival without a parade. The parade will march down Main Street from Midland Avenue to Broadway beginning at 2 p.m.

Fireworks

Presented by Thorntons, the fireworks will light up the sky over downtown Lexington beginning at 10 p.m.

Red, White & BOOM!

Presented by Hardee’s and produced by Clear Channel Media, this year’s Red, White & BOOM! concert is a two-day event featuring 18 country music acts at Whitaker Bank Ballpark on July 5 and 6. Tickets are sold out.