>> FOURTH OF JULY: Which communities will (and won’t) have fireworks?
However, several cities in the Miami Valley, from Sidney to Lebanon, are still putting on some form of public celebration for the masses — with coronavirus-related regulations in place, of course.
These are the Fourth of July events still set to take place around the Miami Valley.
🎇🎆Red, White and Boonshoft
Credit: Tom Gilliam Photography for Dayton.com
Credit: Tom Gilliam Photography for Dayton.com
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 Region 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 its 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.
Credit: BRIAN SWARTZ
Credit: BRIAN SWARTZ
🎇🎆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 a designated parking spot.
🎇🎆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.
🎇🎆Enon Fourth of July Fireworks
Though the village of Enon has canceled their 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.
>> Carillon Historical Park eaglet makes first flight — and it was a dramatic sight to see
🎇🎆Fairfield's Rozzi's Famous Fireworks
Credit: Greg Lynch
Credit: Greg Lynch
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.
🎇🎆Star Spangled Heights
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
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. Saturday, July 4, with the fireworks show slated to start at 10 p.m. at Cloud Park.
Additionally, on Saturday, July 4, Cloud Park will be hosting a Dayton Food Truck Association food truck rally from 6-10 p.m.
Be sure to check back in for future updates by visiting the festival's Facebook page.
🎇🎆Lebanon Independence Day Celebration
Credit: Greg Lynch
Credit: Greg Lynch
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.
🎇🎆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.
>> Yellow Springs first Ohio community to require masks by law
🎇🎆Springboro's Fourth of July Fireworks
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
The city of Springboro will still be holding their 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.
🎇🎆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.
🎇🎆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.
🎇🎆Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks
Credit: Staff photo by Hillary McNabb
Credit: Staff photo by Hillary McNabb
The annual Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks show in Xenia 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.
About the Author