Lexington doesn't wait until the Fourth of July to start celebrating Independence Day. Here's a schedule of events associated with the annual festival, which draws thousands of people downtown on the July 4 and to other associated events.
July 3
Young at Heart Jazz Band. 5:30 p.m. Gratz Park. In conjunction with the city’s 4th of July festivities, the Young at Heart Jazz Band will perform a free concert at Gratz Park preceding the annual patriotic concert on the steps of the Old Morrison Building at 8 p.m.
Patriotic Concert. 8 p.m. Old Morrison Building, Transylvania University. Celebrate America’s birthday from sea to shining sea with the annual Patriotic Music Concert on the steps of the Old Morrison Building, featuring the Lexington Philharmonic and Lexington Singers.
JULY 4
Bluegrass 10,000 Foot Race. Now in its 37th year, the Bluegrass 10,000 Foot Race is a RRCA certified 10,000 race through the main buisness district and historical sections of Lexington. Coupled with this event is a one-mile Fun Run. Last chance registration will be held at the Parks & Recreation Administration Offices, (469 Parkway Drive) on Wednesday, July 3rd, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information, call (859) 288-2900.
Fourth of July Downtown Street Festival and Parade. A number of downtown streets will be closed to make way for the annual downtown festival, which features entertainment at the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Cheapside Park; the corner of Short and Upper Streets; Centrepointe Lot; Phoenix Park; and the Upper Courthouse Plaza (see below for a schedule of music acts). A Kid’s Zone will be set up in Billboard Parking Lot (corner of Short and N. Limestone), featuring free craft activities, for children from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. The reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at Main Street and Fifth Third Bank Following the BG10,000 Awards Ceremony; the parade will take place from Midland Avenue down Main Street to Broadway 2 p.m. Downtown Fireworks Presented by RJ Corman will begin at 10 p.m.
July 4th: Downtown Music Schedule
Upper Courthouse Plaza
10:00-11:00: Hepcats Swing Dance (Swing Dance)
11:30-12:30: Mike Archer (Folk)
1:00-2:00: Lost Dog (Classic Rock & Roll)
3:30-6:00: Steve Sizemore Group (Rock)
Centrepointe
10:00-11:00: Wheeler Dealers Square Dance (Square Dance)
11:30-12:30: Phyllidia’s Desert Dancers (Middle Eastern Dancers)
1:00-2:00: Dave Butler (Blues, Folk)
4:00-6:00: The Tim Talbert Project (R&B)
Cheapside Park
11:30-12:30: Brother Barrett & The Barrows (Americana)
1:00-2:00: Flashback (Rock)
3:30-6:00: Bent Penny Band (Classic Rock)
7:30 – 9:30: Catch 22 (Thursday Night Live)
First Baptist Church (548 W. Short St.; Enter on Main St.)
Noon – 2:00: Patrick McNeese and Chris Weiss
Corner of Short and Upper Streets
10:00-11:00: Chamber Music w/Flutes (Classical Music)
11:30-12:30: Legna Y Yoisel (Spanish Dance)
1:00-2:00: The Empty Bottle String Band (Classical)
3:30-4:30: Heavenly Harmonizers (Gospel)
5:00-6:00: Rogue State (Rock)
Phoenix Park
10:00-11:00: John Yannelli (Acoustic Classic Rock)
11:30-12:30: Frank Rocket (Rock)
1:00-2:00: Italian Beaches
3:30-6:00: Business Time (Rock)
JULY 6
Red, White and BOOM. 6 - 9 p.m. Whitaker Park. All tickets are $9, kids 12 & under are free. Musical guests include: Rodney Atkins, Craig Morgan, Randy houser, Josh Thompson, Bret Eldredge, Rachel Farley, Cassade Popee, Eric Paslay, Will Hoge.