MOUNT VERNON — 2024 July 4 activities get underway Saturday with the Heart of Ohio USA Days festival.
Although this year’s festival is smaller than previous years, it still features plenty of activities for the community to enjoy.
Activities run from noon to 8 p.m. at Centerburg High School. Highlights include traditional July 4 activities such as the Little Miss Liberty/Little Uncle Sammy pageant and baby crawl.
Crafters will showcase their wares, and rides are available for youngsters.
Nicks & 7 Tricks will take the stage at 6 p.m. with a blend of Fleetwood Mac and classic rock n roll.
Entry to the festival is via Wilson Road.
Danville
The Danville community is invited to a “Light up the Night” fireworks event on Wednesday, July 3.
KB Tire and Auto coordinates the event, which starts at 5 p.m. and includes food vendors, games, music, and good old-fashioned fun at Darci Field.
Fredericktown
Fredericktown July 4 activities at Sockman Community Park include food trucks, fire department Bingo, and free swimming at Sockman Lake from noon to 7 p.m.
A softball tournament starts at 8 a.m., and Mike’s Marathon car show runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Bingo starts at 1 p.m.
A fireworks display at 10 p.m. synched with WMVO tops off the day’s activities.
Gambier
Gambier’s celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Independence Day. Mayor Leeman Kessler will kick off the activities with a proclamation and present the 2024 Poet Laureate and Citizen of the Year awards.
Parade entrants will line up at 11:15 across from the fire station and step out at 11:30. After the parade, residents are invited to gather on the lawn of the Kenyon Inn to enjoy ice cream, sundaes, and games.
The Shuman Band will present live musical entertainment.
Mount Vernon
Ariel-Foundation Park will again take center stage for the city’s Fourth of July celebration.
Park officials anticipate the fireworks will begin at 10 p.m., but there are plenty of things to do before the display.
Desmond Wall as McLennon, a McCartney and Lennon tribute with Beatles and Post-Beatles era music, kicks off the live music at 5 p.m.
Chaz and Nicki hit the stage at 6 p.m., showcasing an upbeat acoustic show mixing feel-good classic covers with harmony-rich originals.
The Music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers takes over with Tom the Torpedoes at 7 p.m.
Super Q 93.7 FM will broadcast live starting at 6 p.m. and will simulcast the music to the fireworks display.
The Schnormeier Event Center opens at 5 p.m., and food service also begins at 5 p.m. Kayaks and canoes are welcome on The Lakes side of the park, but swimming is prohibited.
For additional details on Mount Vernon’s July 4 activities, including parking and road closures, visit arielfoundationpark.org.
Apple Valley
Apple Valley will hold its fireworks celebration on Saturday, July 6, starting around 10 p.m. Residents must present a current AV Property Owners Association ID to visit any of the facilities.
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