Fourth of July in Johnson County is coming in with a bang. Though residents can legally set off fireworks, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the nation’s 249th birthday. Check out these seven events throughout the extended holiday weekend:
Celebrate tradition at Coralville’s 4th Fest
Coralville’s long-standing tradition, 4thFest, returns on Wednesday, July 2, and runs through Friday, July 4. The carnival begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Aquatic Center parking lot, with tickets available for purchase at Coralville City Hall and the Coralville Recreation Center.
The festivities resume at noon both on Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4 , anchored by the carnival and more activities at S.T. Morrison Park. Food vendors include Americana Concessions, Kona Ice of Cedar Rapids, La Mexicana Grocery Store & Taqueria, Papa Johns of Pizza, Rodney's Jamaican Jerk, and Sno Biz of Iowa City and Udderly Epic Desserts.
The festival vendor fair will run from 2-9 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Other 4thFest events include bingo, a petting zoo and a kids' tractor pull.
The star of the festival, the 4thFest Parade, will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday. The two-mile parade begins and ends at the corner of 22nd Avenue and 9th Street.
A fireworks display will cap off the festival at 9:45 p.m. Friday, July 4 at S.T. Morrison Park.
The full event schedule can be found at Coralville.org.
Feel the sparks at the Iowa City Jazz Festival
The Summer of the Arts Jazz Festival is one of the longest-running annual festivals in Iowa City, making its grand return Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6. The three-day festival celebrates the diversity and breadth of the jazz genre with live performances on two downtown stages accompanied by delicious food. Friday's session starts at p.m. while things get rolling again at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The final day of the Jazz Festival starts at noon on Sunday.
The festival showcases emerging artists and nationally renowned talent. A fireworks display will be held at 9:30 p.m. Saturday over the Old Capitol.
Fireworks at Penn Meadows
Celebrate the Fourth of July a day early at Penn Meadows Park in North Liberty at 250 N Dubuque St. The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3. The city of North Liberty encourages guests to bring lawn chairs and pack a picnic basket.
A fireworks show in Oxford
Oxford is hosting a fireworks display on Thursday, July 3. The show begins at dusk at Creekside Park along Mill Street.
Independence Day in Hills
Hills will put on a fireworks display and a parade on Friday, July 4. The parade starts at 5 p.m. and starts on Main Street.
The fireworks display will begin at dusk at Hills City Park, at 201 W. Main St.
Indulge in some Bourbon and Blues
Head to Cedar Ridge Distillery for the annual Fourth of July Music Festival, Bourbon and Blues. The three-day festival is held Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6, featuring local artists and bands playing soulful blues tunes. The action begins at noon on Friday, July 4 and is free to attend.
Glizzies and Grass at Field Day Brewing
Celebrate all things Americana at Field Day’s second Glizzies and Grass. Enjoy a day of bluegrass classics and hot dogs from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. Tickets are $10 and come with a beer and four hot dogs. The event will feature a hot dog eating contest for a chance to win a $100 Field Day gift card.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at[email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_