July 4 falls on a Saturday this year, making it confusing exactly what will be open and when in Lexington, since many business and government offices will observe the holiday on Friday July 3. For example, Kentucky Utilities will be closed on Friday July 3, 2015.
Below is a comprehensive list of festivities in Lexington and surrounding areas for the holiday weekend, as well as time changes, delays and closings.
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JULY 4, 2015 HOLIDAY WEEKEND EVENTS
THURSDAY JULY 2
The Great American Pie Contest and Ice Cream Social is one of the first events of this year’s 4th of July Festival in downtown Lexington. It will be held at 12:00pm on Thursday, July 2nd at Cheapside Pavilion.
Thursday Night Live is held as usual from 4:30 to 9 p.m. featuring the Tim Talbert Project as the musical entertainment for the night.
Lexington Green Whole Foods Market Kate Horning demonstrates how to make a 4th of July dessert 4-6pm.
FRIDAY JULY 3
Friday Night LIVE!: the WannaBeatles play 5:30 to 8 p.m, Cheapside Pavilion.
The Annual Free Patriotic Concert is featuring the Lexington Philharmonic at 8 p.m. on the lawn of the Old Morrison building at Transylvania University (part of Lexington’s July 4 festival 2015).
Equus Run Vineyards Beef, Brats and Brews 7:00-9:30pm: Music by The Eric Cummins Band and dinner included in ticket price
The Night Market 6-10 pm (North Limestone/Bryan Ave)
Music by Lexington Lexington
Food: Thai & Mighty Noodle Bowls, Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream, Chef Mikey & Co., Minton’s at 760, Spotz Gelato, Gents Original Ginger Ale, A Cup of Common Wealth
Children’s Area: Our Playhouse Preschool Lexington
SATURDAY 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.
Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream: C&B Lounge Fourth of July Party Noon -11 pm. Specials include a Red, White and Boom Sundae, Mini Pies a la Mode and Patriotic Sugar cookies
Blue Stallion Brewing Company: Food Truck Fourth and Yuda IPA release begins at Noon. The Gastro Gnomes Food Truck and Mobile Catering and Rolling Oven will be there all day. Evening bands include Loaded Barrel (Rock & Roll) 6pm-8pm and Moonshine District (Mountain music) 8:30pm-10:30pm.
Natasha’s Bistro and Bar: Bang for the Fourth- Burgers with a Beat all day long
Here are a few of the live acts you might want to catch throughout the day at the Street Festival:
Cheapside:
11:30-1:30 Rachel “Rai” Lynn Skot
4:00-6:00 Bent Penny Band
Phoenix Park:
11:30-1:30 N.P Presley & the Ghost of Jesse Garon
4:00-6:00 Rural Electric Band
Corner of Mill and Main:
11:30-12:30 Hepcats Swing Dance Club
1:00-2:00 Wheeler Deeler Square Dance Club
4:00-6:00 Dave Butler
Billboard Parking Lot
11:30-12:30 Phyllidia’s Desert Dancers
1:00-2:00 The Joyful Souls
4:00-6:00 Midlife Harmony
Lower Courthouse Plaza
10:00-11:00 Lost Dog
11:30-12:30 Seven
1:00-2:00 Mike Archer
4:00-6:00 Time Charron
Finish the national holiday with the classic fireworks display at 10 pm downtown.
CHANGES, CLOSINGS AND OPENING REMINDERS JULY 2-4
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government offices, as well as the Lexington Recycling Center, the city’s Electronic Recycling Center and the Haley Pike Waste Management Facility, will be closed on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th.
Commerce Lexington closed on Friday, July 3.
Windy Corner Market closed July 4.
Lexington Public Library closed July 4.
The weekly Artist’s Market on the front lawn of the Old Court House will not be held July 4th.
The Lexington Farmers Market will be held at its Tuesday/Thursday location, on the corner of Maxwell St. and S. Broadway
Good Foods Co-op will be open 8am-8pm July 4. Monthly Sampling Saturday will take place 11AM-2PM.
Lexington’s Fourth of July Festival will go as planned, rain or shine. Certain activities are subject to cancellation throughout the day if weather becomes threatening. Downtown Lexington Corporation encourages everyone to use their judgment when deciding whether or not to attend the Festival.
Holiday Trash Collection in Lexington
The Division of Waste Management will adjust its collection schedule for the upcoming July 4th holiday on Friday, July 3rd. Residents who normally receive Friday pick-up from the division will receive their collection service on Wednesday, July 1st – three days before the weekend holiday. No collection will be made on Friday, July 3rd, the day before the July 4th holiday. Residents who normally receive residential pick-up on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays will be serviced as usual.
Residents who normally receive Friday pick-up should set their Herbies, Rosies and Lennies out after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30th to ensure collection the next day.Businesses that have city waste management services for their dumpsters (landfill-bound and recycling) normally receiving pick-up on Thursdays will have their units serviced on Wednesday, July 1st. Businesses normally having pick-ups on Fridays will have their units serviced on Thursday, July 2nd. Monday and Tuesday pick-ups will be made as usual.
For more information, contact LexCall at 311 or (859) 425-2255.
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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
Transit Center buses will load on High Street from 6:00am to 1:00pm.
Various routes will be detouring throughout the morning for the Bluegrass 10K and parade.
For transit schedules click here.
FIREWORKS
Lexington Professional Firefighters Local 526 reminds us “even sparklers can reach 1200 degrees fahrenheit.” Fireworks are not for kids. “The best way to enjoy fireworks and prevent injury is to watch a professional show.”
View Lexington’s fireworks enforcement code here.
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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