Parades, festivals and fireworks: Your guide to America 250 events in metro-east
Are you ready to celebrate the Fourth of July and America’s 250th?
There are plenty of opportunities to commemorate the nation’s history, from community events and programs to fireworks.
Check out this list of upcoming events that span the days leading up to and on July 4:
- Transportation Across America 250 — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. Millstadt Library, 115 W. Laurel St., Millstadt. How has transportation affected America? And how has the United States impacted transportation? Guest speaker Walter Yee of the National Transportation Museum of Saint Louis will talk all about it. facebook.com/events/1004622732118408
- America 250 Bash — 6 p.m. Friday, June 26. Trenton City Park, 148 N. Ash St., Trenton. Includes bounce house and fireworks, food trucks, beer tent, Illinois National Guard 144th Concert Band, The Jorrells, family activities and more. Parade at 6 p.m. facebook.com/events/1564640485448413
- America 250: Revolutionary War in a Trunk — 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27. Public Safety Building, 285 N. Seven Hills Road, O’Fallon. Step into the Revolutionary War with living historian Geoff Baggett. Explore a trunk filled with Colonial-era treasures, handle reproductions of 18th-century weapons and tools, discover everyday items from Colonial life, and hear stories that bring America’s founding era to life. A hands-on history experience for all ages. Register: https://bit.ly/4of2GK0
- America 250 Celebration - Fairview Heights — 5-10 p.m. Saturday, June 27. City Hall, 10025 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. City Hall will be filled with games and family activities. Visit local vendors and food trucks, enjoy live music from FanFare and the NGK Band, and check out the vehicles on display at Touch-A-Truck. Watch a drone show from Fantasy Drone Show. Admission is free. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. allinfairviewheights.com
- America 250: Celebrating the Spirit of 1776 — 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Edwardsville City Park, 108 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville. History comes alive through hands-on activities for all ages, live performances, historical portrayals and exhibits during the kickoff event for the America 250 Celebration in Edwardsville. facebook.com/events/27440203838909222
- America 250 Historical Celebration — 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. Blum House, 414 W. Main St., Collinsville. Step back in time at the historic Blum House and experience life during the Revolutionary War. Includes music, refreshments, famous faces from the past and more. facebook.com/events/969830775678736
- USA 250 Celebration BBQ — 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St., Edwardsville. Incldues a barbecue lunch, games, music, raffles and more. facebook.com/events/27452902470981551
- 250 on the Mississippi — 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at Haskell Park, 1209 Henry St., Alton. 4-7 p.m. Thursday, July 2, at Alton Godfrey Rotary Park, 110 E. 3rd St., Alton. 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 3, at Alton Amphitheater, 1 Riverfront Drive, Alton. Three days of family-friendly events to celebrate the Fourth of July. Includes food, entertainment, activities, fireworks (on Friday), and more.
- Whitaker Music Festival: USAF Band of Mid-America — 5:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. Music begins at 7 p.m. Missouri Botanical Garden, Cohen Amphitheater, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. “Freedom 250” concert performance. Free admission. missouribotanicalgarden.org
- O’Fallon’s America 250th Celebration — 10 a.m. Friday, July 3. O’Fallon Community Park, 405 E. 5th St., O’Fallon. Includes live entertainment, food and drinks, family-friendly activities, a community parade and more. Fireworks Over O’Fallon takes place at sundown at the O’Fallon Family Sports Park. facebook.com/events/739803585599098
- The Pre-Party to America’s 250th B-Day Celebration — 4-7 p.m. Friday, July 3. Paper Moon, 217 E. Main St., Mascoutah. Join Paper Moon and Twisted Flamingo on the back patio and listen to the tunes of Isaac Bivers. Enjoy a cocktail, ice cream, savory bites and more. facebook.com/events/4610677949159857
- America 250 Celebration - Wood River — 4-10 p.m. Friday, July 3. Belk Park, 880 Belk Park Road, Wood River. Includes bounce houses, train rides and kids activities, food and drink, live music and a drone show. facebook.com/events/1503127075160200
- Celebrate 250 - St. Louis — Gates open 4 p.m. Friday, July 3, and 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Gateway Arch, St. Louis. Two days of live entertainment, food and beverages, and more. Drone shows both nights at 9:40 p.m. followed by fireworks. Saturday’s parade kicks off at 4 p.m. celebratesaintlouis.org
- Celebrate America 250: Fun Run, Parade & Festival — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Courthouse Square, 100 S. Main St., Waterloo. The celebration begins with a 250K Fun Run followed by a parade. The festival features live entertainment, activities and more. facebook.com/events/941623238669026
- 4th of July - Columbia — 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4. American Legion Park, 375 E. Locust St., Columbia. Start the day with the Red, White & Blue Parade and Kids Bike Parade, followed by children’s activities, live music, food, drinks and community concessions throughout the day, games, a pork steak cook-off and more. End the night with a fireworks display. facebook.com/events/1746214189707544
- America 250 Celebration - Edwardsville — 4-9 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Edwardsville American Legion, 58 S. State Route 157, Edwardsville. Includes live performances, food and beverages, vendors, and an appearance by a Clydesdale. The fireworks finale begins at 9 p.m. cityofedwardsville.com
- Old Fashioned July 4th Celebration — 4-10 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Scheve Park, 665 W. Harnett St., Mascoutah. Includes carnival rides, bounce houses, food and drinks, music and more. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. (Rain date for fireworks 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5) facebook.com/events/4491046917841366
Jennifer Green
Belleville News-Democrat