Aurora
Aurora’s annual Independence Day celebration will take place on Friday, July 4. There will be a full day of activities, entertainment and family fun. The day will begin with the Fun Run 1 Mile and 5K at Bicentennial Park. The 1 Mile starts at 8 a.m. followed by the 5K at 8:30 a.m. Registration is available in advance at runsignup.com with Early Bird pricing ending June 20. Walk-up registration will open at 7 a.m. on race morning.
The traditions will continue with a community parade that will step off from Barrington Town Center at 11 a.m. and head south on State Route 306 before turning onto West Pioneer Trail and concluding at Aurora High School. Groups and organizations are invited to register at no cost by June 22. A liability waiver and agreement to follow safety rules are required for participation. See auroraoh.com for more information.
Following the parade, the celebration will continue at Kiwanis-Moore Park with a family-friendly festival featuring carnival concessions, food trucks, inflatables, face painting, balloon art and booths from local businesses and organizations. Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin will announce parade award winners and honor this year’s Grand Marshal, Troop 269 Scoutmaster and dedicated community member Paul Tanski, beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m. in the pavilion.
“Paul Tanski exemplifies leadership, integrity and service,” Womer Benjamin said. “Through his decades of involvement in Scouting and his strong commitment to youth development, Paul has helped shape the next generation of leaders in Aurora.”
Groups or organizations interested in participating in the festival can register at auroraoh.com.
Festivities will conclude with the annual fireworks display, launched at dusk from the field across from Fire Station 1 next to the park. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the show. The City of Aurora and its safety forces remind all attendees to plan ahead for road closures and traffic delays and to allow extra time for travel. See auroraoh.com and Facebook for additional details, including maps showing road closures and post-firework traffic patterns.
For additional information on all of the city’s Fourth of July events, visit auroraoh.com or call Aurora Parks and Recreation at 330-562-4333.
Hiram
The Village of Hiram’s annual Independence Day celebration will kick off Thursday, July 3 with the band Swap Meet performing from 8 to 9 p.m. on the Charles A. Henry Field at Malmisur Stadium (no entrance fee). The annual fireworks display will follow at approximately 9:30 p.m. There will be two food trucks and a shaved ice vendor.
The next day, on Friday, July 4, a community softball game in which anyone can show up and play will start things off at 9 a.m. at Village Park at 11617 Garfield Rd. A bike rodeo for kids will be at 10:30 a.m. followed by a cookout (hot dogs grilled by village representatives) in the Hiram Christian Church parking lot at 6868 Wakefield Rd. (the cookout funds police community service). The parade will start at noon, and conclude, at the post office at 11698 Hayden St. For anyone who wants to be in the parade, the parade will line up starting at 11:30 a.m. The Hiram Community Concert Band will perform at 4 p.m. The two-day celebration will wrap up with an ice cream social (donations accepted) during which the Garretones band will perform at 8 p.m. in the Martin Commons.
Kent
The Kent Heritage Festival will take place July 5 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. around downtown Kent. Bands and events will take the stages at Hometown Bank Plaza and Dan Smith Park, food trucks will line the streets, and local vendors will sell artisan crafts and goods.
The event will also feature the iconic Kent Jaycees Ducks River Race and the classic car show.
Fireworks will start at dark. Visit https://www.kentbiz.com/heritagefestival for a full list of vendors and events.
Streetboro
Fireworks are planned at Streetsboro’s Woodside Lake Park, 9853 Elliman Road at dusk July 5.
Festivities will start at 1 p.m. with activities for kids, food trucks and lemonade.
Windham
Windham’s Fun in the Sun event will take place July 12 at Windham Park. There will be food trucks, local vendors, inflatables, a cornhole tournament, music and more. Fireworks will start in the evening, but the fun will kick off at 3 p.m.
