ASHLAND – Fireworks, a patriotic concert in the park and a children’s parade downtown are among the highlights of the Fourth of July in Ashland County.
Festivities kick off with Balloonfest June 28-30 and continue throughout Independence Day week and into the following weekend.
Ashland
Ashland Symphony Orchestra’s annual Pops in the Park concert will be 8 p.m. Sunday, July 1 at Myers Memorial Band Shell. The free concert will feature the Ashland Area Chorus and Battery D, 1st Ohio Light Artillery.
On Independence Day, families can enjoy Ashland Main Street and Substance Church’s Push ‘Em Pull ‘Em Parade beginning at 10 a.m. on Center Street. Parade participation is free and open to any child, but kids age six and under must be accompanied by an adult. No motorized vehicles are allowed in the parade and participants are encouraged to wear patriotic costumes and to decorate their bikes, scooters or wagons. An will be given for the child with the most patriotic attire, and there will be awards in two age categories for the best decorated bike, scooter, tricycle, or wagon.
The United States Air Force Band of Flight will perform at 8 p.m. July 4 at the Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell at Brookside Park in Ashland. The 14 member ensemble brings a unique and diverse combination of musical stylings to the stage, playing “everything from Bach to the Beatles and beyond.”
The annual Rotary Club of Ashland community fireworks display begins at dusk, around 9:45 p.m., July 4. Fireworks will be set off from Ashland High School’s Community Stadium. The stadium opens to the public at 5:30 p.m. Two bands will perform, including Linda Ronstadt cover band “Just One Look” at 7:30 p.m. and Eagles Cover band “Out of Eden” at 8:45 p.m.
Charles Mill Lake Park
Fireworks will be set off at dusk July 7 near the beach at Charles Mill Lake Park. Visitors can bring a camp chair or blanket and enjoy music and concessions before the show.
Loudonville
Fireworks will begin at dusk July 7 at Riverside Park in Loudonville.
Earlier that day is Loudonville’s 18th Annual Car Show, which runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown. An antique festival will be held simultaneously at Central Park.
