On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary. Throughout the U.S. there are programs, events, festivals, parades and, of course, fireworks to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
In Bloomington, Monroe County and surrounding areas, fireworks and parades are planned. Here’s a list of where you can watch fireworks, participate in celebrations and watch a parade.
Where and when you can watch fireworks
June 26 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds is one of the first area celebrations. The fireworks will be the kickoff for this year’s Monroe County Fair, which runs June 27 through July 5. Gates will open at 7 p.m. June 26 for the fireworks that will begin at dusk. Admission is $10 per vehicle. There will be a special cruise-in before the fireworks begin. At 5700 W. Airport Road.
Emmanuel Church, at 1503 W. That Road, will have an Independence Day community celebration 6-11 p.m. Friday, July 3. Family-fun events: food trucks, cornhole, yard games, bounce houses, music and fireworks at dusk. The event is free; people are welcome to purchase food and drink at the food trucks.
Bloomington Speedway’s annual firework celebration begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 3, at 5185 S. Fairfax Road. There will be racing and fireworks. Admission is $18-$39 per person. Youth age 12 and younger get in free.
Lake Lemon’s annual fireworks show will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Food trucks will be on site at Riddle Point Park, with park entrance fee of $25 per vehicle. Watch the fireworks from the shore or the water. Fireworks will start at dusk.
Ellettsville’s firework celebration starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at 601 Edgewood Drive. The best locations to view the fireworks will be near the Richland-Bean Blossom School Corp. property, especially the cross country course and tennis courts at Edgewood schools. The free event is hosted by Ellettsville Fire Department. There will be food trucks in the afternoon. Rain date will be Friday, July 10.
Solsberry’s fireworks show will begin at dusk on Saturday, July 4. The fireworks will be launched from the Eastern Fire Department community grounds.
Linton Freedom Festival fireworks will begin at dusk on Saturday, July 4, at Humphreys Park. It will be the grand finale to the town’s week-long Independence Day celebration.
Bedford’s Fourth of July celebrations will end with fireworks lighting up the sky above Wilson Park beginning at dusk on Saturday, July 4.
Mitchell’s annual fireworks show will be Friday, July 3, with festivities beginning at 3 p.m. at Lehigh Field with food trucks, a live WQRK broadcast and family entertainment before the 9 p.m. fireworks show.
Enjoy a parade, too
The Bloomington Fourth of July parade festivities begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 4, with a performance of the Bloomington Community Band on the south side of the Monroe County Courthouse. The parade begins at 10 a.m. starting at the corner of 10th Street and College Avenue. It travels south on College to Kirkwood Avenue, turns north on Walnut until 10th Street, when it turns and ends where it began. The parade and concert may be delayed or canceled in the event of extreme weather. For updates, call 812-349-3754.
The Linton Freedom Festival Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Billed as the state’s largest Independence Day parade, it draws thousands of spectators to downtown Linton to see an extensive lineup of regional marching bands, clowns, antique and classic cars and floats.
Bedford’s 250th birthday celebrations will begin at 11:30 p.m. July 4 with a flag raising ceremony at the corner of 16th and I streets. The America 250 Parade will begin at noon in downtown Bedford and will include a military aircraft flyover.
Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: America 250: Fireworks, parades celebrate a special 4th of July
Reporting by Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times | USA TODAY Network
