Below is a comprehensive list of Independence Day festivities in Lexington and surrounding areas for the holiday weekend, as well as time changes, delays and closings.
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JULY 4, 2016 HOLIDAY WEEKEND EVENTS
FRIDAY, JULY 1
The Great American Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social is the first event of this year’s 4th of July Festival in downtown Lexington. It will be held at at Cheapside Pavilion.
SATURDAY, JULY 2
Fourth of July Fest at Fort Boonesborough State Park (through Sunday).
Independence Day Celebration at Cumberland Falls starting at dusk, featuring fireworks and Superfecta live.
SUNDAY, JULY 3
The Annual Free Patriotic Concert at 8 p.m. on the lawn of the Old Morrison building at Transylvania University (part of Lexington’s July 4 festival 2015).
MONDAY, JULY 4
The last day of festivities begins with a good workout, the Bluegrass 10,000 Run at 7:30 am. The Crank Wheelchair Division & Wheelchair Division begins at 7:25am and the Fun Run begins 8:15 am.
After you win the 10 K, consider stopping by the Lexington Downtown Street Festival 9 am-6 pm. There will be arts and crafts, food and beverages, and commercial vendors. The reading of the Declaration of Independence is at 11 am. The Lexington Parade lines up on Midland Avenue and begins at 2:00 pm.
Fireworks start at 10 pm at Commonwealth Stadium.
Holiday Trash Collection in Lexington
The Division of Waste Management will adjust its collection schedule for the upcoming July 4th holiday on Wednesday, July 6th. Residents who normally receive Monday pick-up from the division will receive their collection service on Wednesday, July 6th – two days after the weekend. . Residents who normally receive residential pick-up on Tuesdays, Wednesday’s, and Thursdays will be serviced as usual.
Residents who normally receive Monday pick-up should set their Herbies, Rosies and Lennies out after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5th to ensure collection the next day.
For more information, contact LexCall at 311 or (859) 425-2255.
Closed in Lexington
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government offices will be closed on the holiday. The Lexington Recycling Center, the Electronics Recycling Center and the Haley Pike Waste Management Facility will be closed on the holiday as well as Saturday, July 2 in observance of the holiday.
Street closures on July 4:
Eastern Ave 12:00-9:00pm
Short from Mill to MLK 4:00pm-9:00pm
Main from MLK to Mill 5:00am-6:00pm
Main from Walton to Mill 1:45pm-5:00pm
Main from St Ann 6:30am-12:00pm
Short from Mill to Midland 6:30am-12:00pm
Limestone from Vine / Barr 5:00pm-9:00pm
Upper 4th to Main 6:30am-12:00pm
Upper 2nd to Main 5:00am-9:00pm
Mill High to Short 6:30am-12:00pm
Mill Vine to Short 1:30-3:00pm
Where to Watch the Fireworks
Lexington’s official fireworks will not be located downtown for 2016.
The July 4 Fireworks following the Lexington Fourth of July Festival and Parade will be over UK’s Commonwealth Stadium. The fireworks will be launched from a site on Alumni Dr.
The Arboretum and Commonwealth Stadium will be closed for the fireworks this year, but you will be able to watch from the Commonwealth Stadium Parking Lot.
Other Fireworks Shows
The Lexington Legends host the Rome Braves at 6:30 pm at the Legends ballpark on Saturday and Sunday. There will be a fireworks show following the games. Sunday’s fireworks, organized by Megablast, will be the biggest fireworks show in the 16-year history of the ballpark.
There will be fireworks starting at dusk at Cumberland Falls on July 2. There will also be a party and Superfecta playing music live throughout the evening.
On the Fourth, there will be fireworks at Richmond’s Lake Reba. The festivities start at 5 pm, with the fireworks starting at 10 pm. Presented by the City of Richmond and Richmond Parks and Rec.
There will be fireworks at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Paris on Monday, the Fourth. Festivities start at 6 pm, followed by the fireworks at 10 pm.
Lexington Professional Fire Fighters July 4 Public Safety Checklist
If you’re setting off your own fireworks, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends taking these precautions.
- Only buy fireworks from a licensed seller (not from someone on the street or from someone’s house)
- Read and follow the directions on the fireworks before lighting them
- Have water handy in case of an emergency
- Only use fireworks in an open, outdoor area
- Light the fireworks on a hard surface and be cautious of any wind
- Have a designated person to set off the fireworks who avoids alcohol and does not wear loose clothing
- Make sure that the designated person wears safety goggles and close toed shoes
- Do not alter or combine fireworks
- Aim the firework away from houses, dry leaves, flammable materials and people
- Never extend a body part over the devise
- Light one firework at a time
- Never relight a “dud” firework
- Wait 20 minutes after setting off the firework to approach it, and then soak it in water
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