The City of Lawrence is prepared to host nearly 10,000 people for its annual Fourth of July celebration, a daylong event that kicks off with the only Independence Day parade in Marion County and ends with a 40-minute fireworks display.
City of Lawrence Chief of Staff Cori Korn has been the lead organizer for the annual event for a couple years, but she said it’s a team effort involving most — if not all — of the city’s departments.
The parade has more than 60 entries, she said, and will follow the same route as previous years. It starts at Harrison Hill Elementary School at the corner of 53rd and Richardt Avenue, heads south on Richardt, then turns east on 47th Street and north on Franklin Road before ending underneath The Garrison flag at Community Park, 5301 N. Franklin Rd.
The main parade starts at 10 a.m., Korn said, but the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team will warm up the crowds lining the parade route starting around 9:30. Featured in the parade will be the Marching Pride of Lawrence Township, elected officials, including Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, and this year’s grand marshal, Jeff Vest, a retired educator and lifelong Lawrence resident.
“He is Lawrence through and through,” Korn said of Vest. “He knows the history of Lawrence and is so proud of Lawrence and really does whatever he can to help make Lawrence great, great city that it is. So, it’s exciting.”
Vest also serves as president of the Parks Board and is a member of the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority Board.
Korn added that Exchange Club members will walk the parade route around 9 a.m. to hand out about 4,500 small flags for onlookers to wave during the event.
Following the parade are two opportunities for car enthusiasts. The Classic Car Show starts at 10 a.m. at the park, and ends with an awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m., Korn said.
Registration is $15 on the day of the event, starting at 9 a.m. Awards will be given for Top 25 Open Class, Best Street Rod, Best Muscle Car, Best Slammed Mini Truck, Best Mopar, Best Camaro, Best Mustang, Best Rat Rod, Best Tri Five, Mayor’s Pick and Best Of Show.
A free Jeep Show and Shine starts at noon, giving Jeep lovers a chance to show off their rides and admire others’ Jeeps. City employees will act as judges, and will hand out awards around 3 p.m.
The traditional Fourth Fish Fry is another popular attraction, hosted by the Lawrence Kiwanis Club. Korn said they ordered about 500 pounds of basa fish for the event, there is always a long line and the person who created the recipe many years ago still supervises to make sure things are done right.
The fish fry runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit youth programs, including Riley Children’s Hospital.
Korn said there’s a break in organized activities starting around 3:30, but things pick back up at 7 p.m. when Indianapolis-based dance-party band Big Rosco and the Hammers returns to perform for another Lawrence Fourth of July crowd. Korn said there will be food trucks and other vendors on hand for the concert, which ends around 10 p.m., right before the fireworks display.
Numerous city department employees work together to make the Fourth of July a success for the anticipated 10,000 people attending throughout the day, Korn said. Police and fire department personnel are on hand to ensure public safety; park department employees make sure the park is ready for all the festivities and then clean up afterwards; and streets department employees work with the police to block off the parade route.
“That’s the neatest thing about all the events that we do in Lawrence,” she said. “There are so many people who care so much about our community, and really give up their time to make sure that these events are great for the families.”
Lawrence Fourth of July festivities at a glance
- Independence Day Parade: 9:30 a.m. the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team will kick things off, with the main parade starting at 10 a.m. Route: South on Richardt Avenue from Harrison Hill Elementary School, then east on 47th Street, north on Franklin Road and ending under The Garrison flag at Lawrence Community Park, 5301 N. Franklin Rd.
- Classic Car Show: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Community Park.
- Kiwanis Fish Fry: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Community Park.
- Jeep Show and Shine: Noon to 3 p.m. at Community Park.
- Big Rosco & the Hammers concert: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Community Park.
- Fireworks display: 10 p.m. to 10:40 p.m. at Community Park.
- Participants are asked to leave pets at home for Fourth of July events.
- In addition to the fish fry, food truck vendors will be on site at the park throughout the day.
- More details at visitlawrenceindiana.com/events/4thfest/.
