Children sprint to the finish line during the Fastest Kid in Town Race at the 2021 Franklin Firecracker Festival. This year’s festival will be July 3 at the DriveHubler.com Amphitheater at Youngs Creek Park.
DAILY JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
Starting this weekend, communities throughout Johnson County will start celebrating the Fourth of July with food, fun and fireworks.
Kicking everything off is Sparks in the Park, which will be from 6 to 10 p.m. June 24 at Johnson County Park, 2949 East North St., Nineveh.
The natural beauty of the Johnson County Park will be filled with music, food and other activities before a blistering fireworks show once night falls.
Dream Slice, an Indianapolis-based band, will bring the rock, funk, R&B and alternative from 7 to 10 p.m. Kids can entertain themselves in a special play area, and food, beer and wine will be available to purchase. Indiana Live Steamers will be offering train rides for $3 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Entry to the event is $5, with kids 12 and under free.
Here are other upcoming Fourth of July events:
Greater Greenwood Community Band
7 to 8 p.m. July 1, Greenwood Amphitheater, 300 S. Washington St.
In recognition of the Independence Day holiday, the Greater Greenwood Community Band will break out a selection of patriotic classics during a concert dubbed “The Fabric of America.” The concert includes the “Armed Forces Salute” with the Greenwood and New Whiteland Color Guard presenting the nation’s colors and service flags. Attendees will be able to hear patriotic marches, inspirational ballads, medleys from Broadway and “The Wizard of Oz”, and much more music.
People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, in addition to snacks, for music under the evening sky. The concert is free to attend, but donations are appreciated.
Franklin Firecracker Festival
2 to 10 p.m. July 3, Franklin Amphitheater, 237 W. Monroe St.
Franklin’s new downtown amphitheater at Young’s Creek Park will be the center of patriotic fun during the annual Firecracker Festival. Food trucks and a beer garden will open up to the public at 2 p.m., with activities building up throughout the day. Local youths can see who is the fleetest of foot in the Fastest Kid in Town race. The music of Freddie Mercury, Brian May and the rest of the band will echo around the park during a performance by Absolute Queen. And the night ends with an awe-inspiring display of fireworks at dusk.
Edinburgh Firecracker Festival
5 to 10:30 p.m. July 4, Main Cross St., Edinburgh
Edinburgh residents may still be recovering from the big bicentennial bash a few weeks ago, but the celebrations keep coming with one of the town’s most popular annual events, the Edinburgh Firecracker Festival. People will gather downtown for games and activities for kids, food, live music and more. Fireworks are scheduled to be launched from School Hill, painting the night sky for the masses below.
