Regulations on larger gatherings passed down from local, state and federal government also suggests that many of our favorite summer holidays, like the Fourth of July, might look quite different this year.
We have compiled this guide to what each community in the Miami Valley is doing for the Fourth of July. While many are not hosting any festival, parade or fireworks display this year, there are still a handful of cities and villages around the area that are working hard to celebrate the holiday in a safe way.
>> Festivals that have been canceled this summer and fall
This is what your city is (or perhaps isn’t) doing to celebrate the Fourth of July.
🎆🎇Dayton
Canceled: Lights in Flight Firework Festival
Credit: Lisa Powell
Credit: Lisa Powell
Originally scheduled to take place on Friday, July 3, at Riverscape MetroPark, downtown Dayton’s Lights in Flight Firework Festival has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns. This cancellation also applies to food vendors and live entertainment associated with the event. There will be no fireworks display.
>> Dayton cancels annual Lights in Flight Fireworks Festival
Happening: Red, White and Boonshoft
This year, a new feature of Boonshoft Museum of Discovery’s annual Fourth of July celebration, Red, White and Boonshoft, will better allow for guests to maintain social distancing in the age of the coronavirus pandemic. In honor of the Fourth of July, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton will be hosting a scavenger hunt to test your knowledge of the Dayton area.
The scavenger hunt will be taking place from Monday, June 29 to Saturday, July 4, and will include a series of social media contests that require competitors to use their knowledge of popular local landmarks. Participants in the scavenger hunt will have to complete at least five tests or their alternative options to fulfill the objectives of the challenge.
Participation in the scavenger hunt is free and participants can register by visiting the museum's website. The first 250 participants who register and complete the scavenger hunt challenge will receive two free admission tickets to the museum. Beyond those first 250 participants, the remaining participants can play for prizes that include $5-25 off a purchase made in the museum's gift shop.
Challenge locations include the Riverscape and Downtown Flood Markers, SunWatch, Boonshoft Museum’s Discovery Zoo, the Five Rivers MetroParks, Woodland Cemetery, Courthouse Square, the Dayton Regions Walk of Fame or just your favorite place in Dayton. Those who cannot head to these places in person can opt to complete an alternative challenge.
Aside from the scavenger hunt, the Boonshoft Museum will also be hosting their annual Red, White and Boonshoft Indoor Fireworks Show. Showings will be held at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in the Caryl D. Philips Space Theater. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only 60 people will be allowed in theater during each showing. The theater will be sanitized between each viewing. Tickets for the indoor fireworks show are $6.
For more information about the scavenger hunt and fireworks display, pay a visit to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery's website.
🎇🎆Beavercreek
Happening: Beavercreek fireworks
The parade has been canceled, but fireworks are still planned in celebration of Independence Day and the city’s 40th birthday. The fireworks show, typically at Rotary Park, will be moved to the Mall at Fairfield Commons. Before the fireworks, Mister C will perform a comedy show. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. and those who attend are asked to maintain social distancing by watching the show from designated parking spot.
🎇🎆Bellefontaine
Happening: Indian Lake State Park’s 4th of July Fireworks
Thanks to a private property owner, the fireworks display at Indian Lake State Park outside of Bellefontaine will still be taking place this year. The fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 on a private property along the south bank across State Route 366, between Paradise Island and Township Rd. 239.
Future Facebook posts from the Indian Lake Chamber will inform visitors how the change in location will affect vehicle traffic, pedestrians along the bike path and boats viewing from the shore.
Be sure to follow the Indian Lake Chamber's website and Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all July 4-related developments.
🎆🎇 Centerville
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Canceled: Americana Festival
>> UPDATED: Jewish Cultural Festival, Enon Apple Butter Festival join list of canceled events
🎆🎇Eaton
Postponed: Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration
The Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration, an annual Fourth of July event held in Eaton, has been postponed to Sunday, Sep. 6. Originally scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 5, this annual festival in Eaton features food, live music, children's activities and fireworks. Stay up-to-date on all developments by visiting Preble County's website.
🎆🎇Englewood
Canceled: Englewood Fireworks Celebration
The Englewood Fireworks Celebration, originally set to take place on the Fourth of July, is canceled due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus in mass gatherings. The annual event typically features a performance by the Englewood Civic Band and fireworks. For more information about the cancellation, visit the city's website.
🎇🎆Enon
Happening: Enon Fourth of July Fireworks
Though the village of Enon has canceled its Fourth of July parade, the accompanying fireworks show will still go on. The fireworks show, coordinated by the Enon VFW 8437, will begin at dusk on Friday, July 3, at the VFW, located at 5075 Enon-Xenia Road.
For more information, visit the village of Enon's Facebook page.
🎇🎆Fairborn
Canceled: Fairborn’s Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks
In light of recent events, Fairborn's annual Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks, originally scheduled to take place on July 3 and 4, has been canceled. Typically, the July 3 block party and July 4 parade and fireworks display draws thousands of visitors per year. To learn more about this cancellation and future July 4 celebrations in Fairborn, head to the festival's website or Facebook page.
🎇🎆Fairfield
Credit: Greg Lynch
Credit: Greg Lynch
Happening: Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks
According to the Fairfield’s Parks and Recreation Director, Tiphanie Howard, canceling Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks display was never an option due to the immense popularity of the Fourth of July activity.
“Our community values this holiday, tremendously, and the thought of canceling it never seemed like a viable option,” Howard said. “We just had to give it a minor facelift in order to celebrate responsibly.”
What will this “minor facelift” look like? Well, for one, Howard had to cancel all of the daytime events and concerts leading up to the fireworks display, as it would be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing. Additionally, Harbin Park, where the fireworks display will take place, will be closed to foot traffic and vehicles the entire day leading up to the fireworks display to allow staff to set up a larger shooting zone for the fireworks in the park. The fireworks show will also be shortened to 20 minutes long, versus the original 35 minutes.
Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks will go off at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 3 from Harbin Park.
For more information about the event, pay a visit to Fairfield's Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
🎇🎆Franklin
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Canceled: July 4th Wettest Parade and Fireworks
Late last month, the city of Franklin announced the cancellation and closing of several popular events and public places, including the popular July 4 Wettest Parade and Fireworks.
"The safety of our community and staff is vital when making these difficult decisions," said the city of Franklin in a Facebook post. "We will continue to follow the direction and information received from the CDC, Warren County Health Department and Ohio Department of Health as we move forward."
Learn more about this cancellation by heading to the city of Franklin's website and Facebook page.
🎇🎆Huber Heights
Credit: DeANGELO BYRD / STAFF
Credit: DeANGELO BYRD / STAFF
Happening: Star Spangled Heights
Good news: The city of Huber Heights is still holding its popular July 4 event, Star Spangled Heights - with just a few changes in place to ensure that social distancing is still a top priority. So far, the only change announced is the cancellation of all daytime events that have typically taken place in the past at Cloud Park.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, with the fireworks show slated to start at dusk. Those interested in being in the parade this year can send their parade entry form, found on the city of Huber Heights website, to organizers by June 26.
Be sure to check back in for future updates by visiting the festival's Facebook page.
🎇🎆Kettering
Credit: Staff photo / Darion Brickell
Credit: Staff photo / Darion Brickell
Canceled: Kettering Go 4th!
This long-standing Fourth of July family-friendly event is full of entertainment, live music, food vendors and food trucks, a kids zone and fireworks.Unfortunately, along with many other popular summer staples in Kettering, the Kettering Go 4th Independence Day celebration has been canceled.
Find out more information about this cancellation by visiting Play Kettering's website or Facebook page.
🎇🎆Lebanon
Credit: Greg Lynch
Credit: Greg Lynch
Happening: Lebanon Independence Day Celebration
Downtown Lebanon will come alive on Friday, July 3 beginning at 4 p.m. with the Declaration of Independence Parade. To ensure that those who participate in the parade are doing their part to keep spectators safe, they are barred from handing out literature to passersby or bringing any farm animals. The parade will take place in downtown Lebanon. For more information or to sign up to participate in the parade, visit their website.
Spectators can then head to the Warren County Fairgrounds, or just stay home, to catch a glimpse of the fireworks display, set to begin at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 3.
For more information about the celebration, visit the city of Lebanon's website.
🎇🎆Moraine
Canceled: City of Moraine's Star Spangled Boom
Moraine has announced it is scrapping its Independence Day Star Spangled Boom at Wax Park this year, joining the list of cities canceling Fourth of July fireworks events due to the coronavirus. In the past, the event has included amusement rides, a fun zone, food trucks and a concert at 4 p.m., followed by a free concert.
Learn more about this cancellation by paying a visit to the city of Moraine's website and Facebook page.
🎇🎆Piqua
Postponed: Piqua 4th Fest and Fireworks
Due to the restrictions placed on mass gatherings, the city of Piqua has decided to cancel the festival portion of its Piqua 4th Fest Independence Day celebration and postpone the fireworks display.
Stay tuned to the city of Piqua's website and Facebook page for the latest developments regarding the annual fireworks display.
🎇🎆Sidney
Happening: City of Sidney Fourth of July Celebration
Despite the new normal presented by the presence of the coronavirus, the city of Sidney is still planning on hosting their annual fireworks display and Sidney Civic Band performance on Saturday, July 4. The band will be setting up on the tennis courts at Sidney High School, where organizers are confident that there will be enough room for social distancing. The band’s performance will begin at 9 p.m. and the fireworks will set off at 10 p.m. on the grounds of the Sidney Middle School.
Learn more about the Independence Day event by visiting the city of Sidney's website or Facebook page.
🎇🎆Springboro
Happening: Springboro’s Fourth of July Fireworks
The city of Springboro will still be holding its annual fireworks display on July 4 at Springboro High School. Look for more details regarding the fireworks display by visiting the city's website and Facebook page.
🎇🎆Springfield
Canceled: Clark County Old Fashioned Country Fireworks
After careful consideration, the Clark County Old Fashioned Fireworks have been canceled in order to ensure that Springfield residents are healthy and safe amid the coronavirus pandemic. Typically, the event features live music and a large fireworks display at the Clark County Fairgrounds.
For more information about the cancellation, head to the Clark County Fair's website and Facebook page.
🎇🎆Tipp City
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Happening: Tipp City Independence Day Fireworks
The Tipp City Independence Day Fireworks will be taking place at 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 at Kyle Park. Organizers recommend wearing face coverings and maintaining a social distance of at least six feet if you plan to attend.
Food trucks will be on site beginning at 7 p.m. More information regarding which food trucks will be making an appearance at Tipp City's Fourth of July celebration will be highlighted in a future post on the city's Facebook page.
🎇🎆Troy
Happening: Fourth of July concert and fireworks
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a concert at Treasure Island Park in Troy featuring rock band Direct Energy. On Saturday, July 4, the concert is set to begin at 8 p.m., with food trucks on site before the concert begins. Fireworks will begin around 10 p.m. after the conclusion of the concert. Concertgoers are encouraged to practice social distancing. Restrooms will also be available on site.
Treasure Island Park is located at 409 N. Elm St. in Troy.
To learn more about the event, pay a visit to the Troy Ohio Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page.
🎇🎆Vandalia
Postponed: Vandalia’s Star Spangled Celebration
For more information about the postponement, head to the city of Vandalia's website or Facebook page.
🎇🎆West Milton
Postponed: West Milton Fireworks and Festival
The West Milton Fourth of July fireworks and festival celebration has been postponed. Currently, the Fourth of July celebration is slated to take place over the Labor Day weekend, with exact dates to be determined. The celebration will include bands, a parade, food trucks and vendors.
🎇🎆Xenia
Credit: Staff photo by Hillary McNabb
Credit: Staff photo by Hillary McNabb
Happening: Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks
The annual Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks show will be held as scheduled, over the evening of Friday, July 3. Unfortunately, due to current restrictions on larger gatherings, the accompanying festival at Shawnee Park will not be taking place.
The fireworks display will be presented from the city’s west side in the area of Progress Drive around 9:30 p.m. This location could change as the city wants to ensure that the entire city will get a clear view of the fireworks from any location in the city. In case of rain, the fireworks display will take place on Saturday, July 4.
More information can be discovered by visiting the festival's Facebook page.
🎇🎆Yellow Springs
Canceled: Yellow Springs Fourth of July Parade
Yellow Springs’ annual Fourth of July Parade has been canceled. Organizers canceled the parade a day after announcing that it was still on and that the theme was Black Lives Matter.
>> Yellow Springs cancels 4th of July parade due to coronavirus
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