Naturalization Ceremony
Judge Sarah Evans Barker will preside over the naturalization ceremony for new U.S. citizens at 10 a.m. at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St. Admission is free.
Orchestra Features Short Patriotic Concert
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will celebrate America’s birthday with “A Musical Salute to America” at 12:15 p.m. at Hilbert Circle Theatre. The program includes “Shenandoah, the Finale from Overture to William Tell,” “America the Beautiful” and more. Tickets are $5, and concertgoers are welcome to bring their lunches.
Beech Grove Lions Will Serve Pork Dinner
The Beech Grove Lions Club’s 25th annual pork dinner will be served from 5 p.m. until dusk Thursday at Sara T. Bolton Park, 1300 Churchman Ave., where a fireworks show starts around 9:30 p.m. Pork chops, pulled pork sandwiches, nachos and brat burgers are $6, and side dishes will be available. Info: Don Stowers at 862-9064.
Band Will Perform Patriotic Concert
The Greater Greenwood Community Band will be joined by The Summer Singers in performing patriotic music at 7 p.m. Thursday at McAllister Center for the Performing Arts at Garfield Park, 2450 Shelby St. A fireworks show follows the concert.
Friday
Music in the Rathskeller’s Biergarten
The Rathskeller’s biergarten, 401 E. Michigan St., will come to life with the sound of Brave Condo on Thursday, Wild Adriatic and Zanna Doo on Friday and The Black Cadillacs and The Elect on Saturday.
Firecracker 6-mile Run/walk
Beginning at 8 a.m. at the Indianapolis City Market, 222 E. Market St., the 6-mile walk/run will lead participants on a tour of some of the best sights and destinations in Downtown. A post-race celebration includes food, music and prizes. The registration fee is $29 for children, military members and seniors, $37 for adults through Thursday. Info: www.getmeregistered.com.
Parade, Festival in Southport
Southport’s annual Fourth of July Parade and Festival gets under way at 10:30 a.m. Friday with the parade stepping off at Southport Elementary, 261 Anniston Drive. The procession will head north on Walnut Street to Southport Park, 6901 Derbyshire Road, where there will be complimentary hot dogs, chips and beverages at noon. There will also be music, games and vendors such as Mrs. Curls and Kona Ice.
Daylong Celebration in Fountain Square, Downtown
Starting at noon at PNC Bank, 1059 Virginia Ave., the inaugural Fountain Square Music Festival will feature nine local, regional and national bands with members hailing from Indiana. There is also the Music in the Beer program, which gets underway at 1:40 p.m. Tickets are $7. Info: www.fountainsquaremusicfest.org. For those with more expensive tastes, the 13th annual Fourth of July Rooftop Celebration at the Fountain Square Theatre, 1105 Prospect St., runs from 7-10 p.m. Patrons can enjoy dinner from the End of the Line Public House and the fireworks for $75.
Festivities get under way at noon with Kilroy’s Howl at the Moon’s Red, White and Brew Bash on East Georgia Street, where drink and food specials and live music will be featured until 10 p.m.
The INDYpendence Day Concert for Cancer runs from 2-10 p.m. on Georgian Street. The event will feature local and national bands, vendors, a children’s area and much more. Tickets are $20.
St. Mary Catholic Church, 317 N. New Jersey St., will celebrate Independence Day with Latino food, live music, Irish dancers, Texas poker, bounce houses and children’s games from 3-11 p.m.
Eight Miles High will perform classic rock from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Indianapolis Zoo, where the animals can be seen until 7 p.m., at which time all rides will shut down.
As part of the Indiana Historical Society’s Concert on the Canal series, patriotic music by the Indianapolis Municipal Band and King James and the Verses will be performed from 5-6:15 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tables can be reserved by calling 232-1882; free seats are available on the lawn.
Hoosiers can enjoy America’s favorite pastime at Victory Field when the Indianapolis Indians take on the Louisville Bats at 6:05 p.m.
Donatos Downtown Freedom Blast gets under way at 6:30 p.m. at the Indiana War Memorial, 431 N. Meridian St. Family games, food and other activities will lead up to the fireworks shot off the top of Region’s Bank at 10 p.m. The show will be synchronized to patriotic and popular music and aired on 97.1 Hank FM and B105.7.
Indy Fringe’s picnic starts at 6:30 p.m. on Massachusetts Avenue, where guests can enjoy Jug’s fried chicken and biscuits. There will also be arts and crafts, children’s games, strolling musicians and musicians. Tickets for children (ages 5 and under) are $5, with seniors and adults being admitted for $10 and $20, respectively. A family pass (two adults and two kids) is $40.
Starting at 8 p.m., listen to the tunes of Rusted Root as the band plays on the outdoor stage at Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St., before the fireworks show. Tickets are $10 and include admission the First Friday Food Truck Festival starting at 5 p.m.
Racinos Get Into the Spirit
The racinos in Anderson (Hoosier Park, 1-765-642-7223) and Shelbyville (Indiana Grand Casino, 1-877-386-463) will host fireworks shows at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, respectively, and The Willis Clan of “American’s Got Talent” fame will perform a blend of Irish and country music in free concerts before both shows. Each of the pyrotechnics displays will feature 10,000 shells, of which 1,000 will fired in 30-second grand finales.
Unique to the shows this y ear will be the use of a new water effect whereby multiple floating fireworks will ignite and send streams of fire up from the lakes encircled by both racetracks.
Family-friendly entertainment options leading up to the fireworks will include horse racing, a buffet, free face painting, games and activities, roaming live entertainment and special giveaways. Multiple dining options will be available. Festivities at Hoosier Park get underway at 5 p.m.; Indiana Grand’s celebration starts at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday
Taste of Indy and Live Music
A variety of ethnic foods, live music and family activities will be on the agenda when area restaurants unite for the third annual Taste of Indy, which begins at 10 a.m. along Central Canal.