Ignite the Light
Fourth of July is this weekend! With COVID canceling last year’s celebrations, communities are returning to celebrate America with fireworks, food, drinks, and even drones. This year, you’ll find many places to watch fireworks and enjoy the holiday this weekend throughout the region.
Friday, July 2
Tap Tastes and Tunes Festival
Voice of America Park, 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester
Friday, 5–11 p.m., FREE
Tap Tastes and Tunes Festival on Facebook
Experience the Tap Tastes and Tunes Festival the entire holiday weekend, with live music, food, beverages, craft beer and family-friendly activities. The festival continues on Saturday (12–11 p.m.) and Sunday (12–10 p.m.), with fireworks wrapping up the celebration at 10 p.m. on Sunday. Parking is available close to the Athletic Field Complex and UC Health-West Chester Hospital Fieldhouse, 7850 VOA Park Drive.
Cincinnati Reds Firework Friday
Great American Ballpark, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way
7:10 p.m.; Ticket start at $12
www.mlb.com/reds/tickets
Start your Fourth of July weekend with the Reds and Rozzi’s post-game fireworks. The series against the Cubs continues Saturday and Sunday with a “Super Saturday” patriotic T-shirt giveaway and Military Appreciation Day.
Sparks in the Park
Riverside Ballfield, 3969 Round Bottom Road, Milford
8–10 p.m., FREE
www.milfordohio.org/residents/calendar_of_events.php
Milford celebrates the holiday with music, refreshing drinks, and fireworks. The Milford Community Fire Department will have ice cold soda and water and the American Legion will have adult beverages in special event DORA cups. Kona Ice will have two locations onsite and Johnny's Creamy Whip mobile unit will be serving delicious ice cream treats. The Billy Rock Band performs at 8 p.m. with an incredible fireworks display from Rozzi Famous Fireworks at 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 3
Independence Day Celebration
900 S. Ft. Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas
3–10 p.m., FREE
ftthomas.org
Celebrate Independence Day all day at Tower Park in Fort Thomas. A kids’ fun run begins at 7:40 a.m., followed by the Firecracker 5K at 8:15 a.m. and a parade at 10:30 a.m. Stick around for shopping, local food and drinks, kids’ activities, live music from
Jet Dress (5 p.m.), Frank Schmitt Orchestra (6:30 p.m.), and River City (8:30 p.m.), with fireworks at 10 p.m.
Madeira's 2021 Independence Day Celebration
McDonald Commons, 7502-7110 Dawson Road
5:30 – 10:30 p.m., FREE
www.madeiracity.com
Madeira’s celebration has a new home at McDonald Commons Park. A one-mile fun run begins at 5:30 p.m. on Miami Avenue followed by a 6 p.m. parade that ends at St. Gertrude Church. The party gets started at 7 p.m. with live music, food and beer. The firework show begins at 10 p.m. For those concerned with social distancing, an auxiliary site to view fireworks is at St. Gertrude’s lower parking lot.
4th of July Spectacular
Colerain Township Government Complex, 4200 Springdale Road
6:30–10 p.m., FREE
www.colerain.org/4th-of-July-Spectacular
Colerain Township and Rumpke present a party focused on “back-to-basics, hometown Americana” with an alcohol-free event. Guests can park at Colerain Middle School and Northgate Mall. with a free shuttle to the event location. No coolers or oversized bags are permitted as food and drinks are on-site. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.
Balloon Glow
Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave.
8–10 p.m., FREE
coneyislandpark.com/event/balloon-glow
(Separate admission charged for Sunlite Pool)
Coney Island’s 21st Annual Balloon Glow is a go! See brilliant hot air balloons fill the sky. Enjoy live music, food, drinks and Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks at 10:30 p.m. The Balloon Glow and fireworks are free to watch, but parking is $15 before 2 p.m. and $20 after 2 p.m. Spend the day at Coney Island–Sunlite Pool and the new Challenge Zone will be open from 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m.!
Red, White and Kaboom!
Harbin Park, 300 Hunter Road, Fairfield
8–10 p.m., FREE
www.fairfield-city.org/578/Red-White-Kaboom
If you want big fireworks that can be seen from afar, check out Red, White and Kaboom! Rozzi’s Fireworks designed special fireworks with larger shells and a bigger shooting zone to expand the viewing area. Harbin Park will be closed to vehicular and foot traffic at 6 p.m. The soccer lot will be open to foot traffic only for viewing purposes starting at 8 p.m.
Sunday, July 4
Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks
Harrison Community Center, 300 George St., Harrison
4 p.m., parade; fireworks at dusk, FREE
www.harrisonohio.gov/Calendar
The city of Harrison provides an action-packed afternoon that includes a parade at 4 p.m. and free cornhole tournament from 6–9 p.m. Other activities include caricature drawings, face painting and magicians throughout the evening. Live music starts at 7 p.m. from the Miss Jacque Band and fireworks beginning at dusk. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Independence Day Celebration
Downtown Loveland, Loveland
7 p.m., parade; fireworks, 10 p.m., FREE
lovelandoh.gov/433/Independence-Day-Celebration
Loveland’s annual celebration includes a kid zone with rides, inflatable games, face painting, performers and more! A parade will occur at 7 p.m. while live music will be performed all afternoon until the firework show at 10 p.m. Local food trucks and vendors will be present. Parking shuttles will be available to visitors at Loveland High School and the Loveland Early Childhood Center.
Cincinnati Pops: Red, White and BOOM
Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave.
8 p.m., Tickets $15–$55.
www.cincinnatisymphony.org/tickets-and-events/red-white-and-boom/
John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops will perform American favorites inspired by this country and its people at 8 p.m. America the Beautiful will feature music that invigorates patriotism among all. After the concert, fireworks will light up the sky. Free lawn admission to those under 17, veteran tickets are $5.
Red, White and Blue Ash
Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road
10 p.m., FREE
www.blueashevents.com
Expect a dazzling show at Summit Park with fireworks shot from the ground, sky, and observation tower. The display will also include 200 drones to complement the firework show with synchronized movements in the air. WARM 98.5 will provide an Independence Day-themed soundtrack. There will be no food or drink vendors, so attendees are invited to bring their own picnic.
–Jacob Mantle