By Sadie Hunter
Beginning June 30, the City of Lawrence will celebrate the time-honored tradition of its Fourth Fest, celebrating Independence Day.
“The Fourth Fest itself has been going on since probably the early ’60s,” Mayor Steve Collier said. “It has kind of morphed throughout the years … It grew very rapidly, particularly in the last 20 years or so. We have the only parade in Marion County on July 4.”
At 6 p.m. June 30, “Wingin’ It With Our First Responders” will grace the stage, and police officers and firefighters will eat the hottest wings Buffalo Wild Wings has to offer adjacent to Theater at the Fort and the Sterrett Center, 8920 and 8950 Otis Ave. Otis Avenue will be closed for the event. Buffalo Wild Wings will donate all of the wings, and 10 percent of its total sales from the holiday weekend also will be donated to the Susan Jordan Legacy Fund.
“We were somewhat taken aback by the turnout,” Collier said. “We were expecting maybe 60 or 70 people to show up to the actual wing-eating contest, but I think we had closer to 300. So we’ve made several adjustments this year to accommodate the crowd.”
In its inaugural year, the event raised $1,258 for the Susan Jordan Legacy Fund, created in honor of the Amy Beverland Elementary School principal who died after being hit by a school bus that jumped the curb in January 2016.
During the event, police and firefighters will face off with five-man teams representing each department, anchored by Police Chief David Hofmann and Fire Chief Dino Batalis.
“It’s not only a way to have fun pitting police against fire, but also to raise money for a good cause,” Lawrence Economic Development Director Cameron Starnes said. “People turn out in droves.”
June 30 also will be the opening of the Lawrence Carnival at Lawrence Community Park, the spot in which the entirety of Fourth Fest’s events will be centered. At 7 p.m. the same evening, the Heartland Big Band will perform a concert of patriotic songs, “Let Freedom Swing.”
On Independence Day, the day is chocked full of events, starting with the annual car show (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and ending with the fireworks display (10 p.m.). Guests of Lawrence Community Park can enjoy the parade (10 a.m.), Lions Club Fish Fry (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), inter-league baseball (1 to 5 p.m.), live music and food vendors (4 to 10 p.m.).
“Our fireworks display is the biggest one around,” Collier said. “You just have to see it to appreciate it. It’s a 45-minute show.”
Another feature of Fourth Fest will be the hanging of the Garrison flag, the last flag to fly over Fort Harrison before it was closed. The flag, measuring approximately 17 feet by 25 feet, will serve as the backdrop to June 30’s Heartland Big Band performance but will later be moved to the end of the parade route July 4 so parade participants can pass under it.
“This is the first time in history this flag will be hung by two City of Lawrence (fire truck) ladders,” Batalis said. “Its kind of neat for us to see that.”
The parade will showcase nearly 80 groups, clubs, organizations and businesses, starting at 52nd and Richardt streets to 47th Street traveling east to Franklin Road, and north on Franklin Road to Lawrence Community Park.
OTHER FOURTH FESTIVITIES
SAXONY INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION CONCERT & FIREWORKS
What: Join Saxony for its annual Independence Celebration Concert & Fireworks, presented by IU Health Saxony Hospital. This outdoor event will feature live music by My Yellow Rickshaw, a variety of food trucks and more. Following the concert will be the fireworks show at approximately 10 p.m. Outside food and drinks are permitted, and pets are welcome.
When: 7 to 10:15 p.m. July 3
Where: Witten Park, 13257 Saxony Blvd., Fishers
More: saxony-indiana.com/events/431.html
BLAST ON THE BRIDGE
What: This annual fireworks show over Geist Reservoir is returning for another year from the Geist Lake Coalition, a nonprofit that focuses on clean water initiatives for the reservoir. For sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected].
When: Dusk, July 4
Where: Fall Creek Bridge over Geist Reservoir
More: geistlakecoalition.org
FORTVILLE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
What: The Fortville/McCordsville Chamber of Commerce will host this annual Fourth of July celebration. A bike, wagon and walking parade will kick of the event with line-up at 4:30 p.m. and departure at 5 p.m. The parade route will go down Main Street and circle back to Landmark Park where food and craft vendors will be on site for the rest of the evening. Prizes will be given to participants of the parade for prettiest, funniest, most patriotic and best holiday-themed outfits. More prizes will be given to those with the most creative group, pet entry and bike/wagon. The night will be finished with a fireworks show that will begin at dusk. Those interested in taking part in the parade or as a vendor at the park should email [email protected].
When: 5 to 11 p.m. July 8
Where: Landmark Park, 200 E. Church St., Fortville
