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4th of july

Red, White & Blues: America’s 250th Anniversary Blues Bash at Whisperz Speakeasy!

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Celebrate the 4th of July with an epic, dual-venue blues bash hosted by Whisperz Speakeasy and Miami Valley Sports Bar! We are pulling out all the stops for America’s landmark 250th birthday with phenomenal live blues, fantastic local shopping, and spectacular views.

The Best Part? There is absolutely no cover charge at either location, and we are completely waiving the dress code at Whisperz Speakeasy for this massive holiday celebration. Come as you are, relax, and stay awhile!

Live Performance Schedule

  • 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | The Nite Owls at Whisperz Speakeasy Kick off the evening with the soulful, rhythmic sounds of this incredible blues band.

  • 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Paul Caver at Miami Valley Sports Bar (Back Patio) Enjoy a vibrant, multi-hour outdoor set perfect for a summer evening.

  • 10:00 PM – 11:30 PM | Noah Wotherspoon at Whisperz Speakeasy Catch our extraordinary headliner delivering a powerhouse, show-stopping blues performance.

All-Night Festivities & Highlights

  • Front-Row Fireworks: Skip the chaotic crowds and catch a flawless view of the Moraine city fireworks at Wax Park, right from the spacious, open-air back patio at MVSB!

  • Gem City Maker’s Market (7:00 PM – 11:00 PM): Browse and shop a fantastic showcase of locally made crafts, unique gifts, and gorgeous artisan treasures right on-site at MVSB.

  • Holiday Eats & Treats: Both kitchens are open late serving up their signature, mouth-watering menus alongside exclusive holiday food features and unbeatable drink specials.

Patriotic Swag: Grab some fun, festive 4th of July party favors to keep the celebratory energy high all night long.

Where To Get Your Red, White & Boom On

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Ever wondered why it’s a tradition to set off explosions of light in the sky on Independence Day? It’s certainly a day for celebration, but why fireworks? Well, the 4th of July history actually involves fireworks and you can thank famous historian John Adams for it.

During the first months of the Revolutionary War, after the 13 colonies had all voted in favor of independence from Britain, Congress began to write what became the Declaration of Independence. Before it was even finished and signed, an enthusiastic John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife stating how the occasion of America’s freedom should be celebrated. It read:

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

Adams was off by a few days, but the Fourth of July was most certainly celebrated in a way he would have liked.

The first organized Fourth of July fireworks were set off in 1777 in Pennsylvania and Boston (Adam’s hometown) one year after the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported that “the evening was closed with the ring of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.”

Here’s where to catch the fireworks locally:

Star Spangled Heights

Thomas Cloud Park 4707 Brandt Pike, Dayton

10a Parade 12p Flag Ceremony 1-8p Food Truck Rally, Kid Zone, Live Bands, Beer Garden, Petting Zoo, and much more….

Fireworks Viewing Party

Mother Stewart’s Brewing Co 109 W. North St. (Parking @ 102 W. Columbia St), Springfield

Join us in Downtown Springfield, OH as we enjoy National Trails Park + Recreation District’s fireworks: ‘Buck Creek Boom’ presented…

Star-Spangled Celebration

Vandalia Rec Center 1111 Stonequarry Rd, Vandalia

The Vandalia Star-Spangled Celebration will be held on Saturday, July 3, at the Vandalia Sports Complex. Food, music and fun…

Waynesville Light Up the Sky

Waynesville Bicentennial Park 837 Dayton Rd, Waynesville

7:00 Food – Drinks – Fun – Family 7:15 Sky Divers 7:25 National Anthem 7:30 Free Concert: Music by: “No…

Clark County Fireworks – Buck Creek Boom

clark county fairgrounds 4401 S. Charleston Pike, Springfield

The 26th annual Buck Creek Boom present by LWS Taxes, Payroll, & Accounting, returns this summer to celebrate America’s Independence…

July 4 Party in the Park and Car Show

Peace Park 70 E Dayton St, West Alexandria

The West Alexandria Celebration Committee will host the Annual July 4 Party in the Park and Car Show at Peace…

Free

Fairborn Parade & Firewrok

Downtown Fairborn Fairborn

Fairborn is the place to be for celebrating our nation’s independence. We kick it off on July 3rd at 2:00…

Troy 4th of July Concert & Fireworks

Treasure Island Park 409 N. Elm St, Troy

A high-energy concert by Rick K. Road Trip will be an exciting part of Troy’s July 4th event, presented by…

City of Kettering Fireworks – Go 4th!

Delco Park 1700 Delco Park Drive, Kettering

Celebrate Independence Day with us in beautiful Delco Park! The City of Kettering Go 4th typically includes entertainment, food vendors,…

Beavercreek Independence Day Celebration

Rotary Park 2260 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek

The City of Beavercreek is excited to announce the City will be hosting a 2021 Independence Day celebration! Although this…

Elvis Tribute & fireworks display

North Park Amphitheatre 195 Tamarack Trail, Springboro

New this year is a July 4th concert ending with a fireworks display. Bring your own seating—we’re ready for summer!

Englewood 4th of July / Fireworks Celebration

Centennial Park 205 Union Rd, Englewood

Englewood’s annual fireworks celebration at Centennial Park. The Civic Band will perform beginning at 7:00 pm.  Fireworks begin at approximately…

Americana Festival

uptown Centerville Centerville

The Centerville-Washington Township Americana Festival started in 1972 as a sidewalk sale promoted by the city’s downtown merchants.  This year,…

Red, White & Brew

The Mall at Fairfield Commons 2727 Fairfield Commons Blvd, Beavercreek

The event will include a beer garden sponsored by Yuengling, live music performed by Stranger, family-friendly activities, a Kids Zone,…

22 Fireworks Celebrations Across The Miami Valley

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Along with barbecues, family outings, and fun picnics, setting off fireworks is probably the number-one event people look forward to for the Fourth of July.

The Fourth of July is when America got its freedom.  When founding father and second president of the United States John Adams signed the sacred Declaration of Independence, Adams knew he wanted to celebrate America’s glory with a gorgeous display of fireworks.

On July 3, 1776, in a letter to his wife, Abigail, he detailed exactly how he wanted to celebrate America’s moment: “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”  And communities all over the country continue to celebrate with the pop, pop, pop of fireworks lighting the skies.

We’ve put together the  biggest and best list of Fireworks Displays around the Miami Valley so you can figure out where you’d like to   They are all free family-friendly community events

Monday, July 1st

Clark County Old Fashioned Fireworks

clark county fairgrounds    July 1 @ 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Celebrate our nation’s independence at this free, family-friendly event that features live entertainment and concessions vendors. Gates open at 6:00 pm.…Find out more »

 

Wednesday, July 3rd

Fairborn Fourth of July Celebration

Downtown Fairborn
July 3 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm &     July 4 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Fairborn has one of the largest July 4th parades and celebrations in the Miami Valley, and we would love to…Find out more »

LIGHTS IN FLIGHT FESTIVAL & FIREWORKS SHOW

RiverScape MetroPark     July 3 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

A multi-cultural festival featuring music, food and family fun including a kids’ zone.  Fireworks, sponsored by Marion’s Piazza will light the sky over downtown Dayton at 10 p.m  Find out more »

City of Lebanon Independence Day

Colonial Park West     July 3 @ 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Live entertainment, free activities, petting zoo and food vendor. Parade at 4pm downtown. Other events start at 6pm; entertainment from…  Find out more »

Centerville Americana Festival

Centerville High School     July 3 @ 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm       July 4 @ 7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Come Celebrate Centerville’s annual Americana Festival that begins with a bang on July 3rd, the night BEFORE the Festival, at the Centerville High School Stadium.  On the 4th, 5K Run: 7:30 a.m. Centerville High School Stadium, East Franklin Street Americana Parade: 10 a.m.    Find out more »

Vandalia Star-Spangled Celebration

Vandalia Rec Center     July 3 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

The Vandalia Star-Spangled Celebration will be held on Wednesday, July 3, at the Vandalia Sports Complex. The night begins at… Find out more »

Thursday, July 4th

Troy 4th of July Parade & Fireworks

Downtown Troy      July 4 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Fourth of July Parade at 9 a.m., with the route being Staunton, Market and Main. Free concert at 7pm,
Find out more »

Piqua 4th Fest

Downtown Piqua     July 4 @ 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Piqua 4th Fest in Downtown Piqua from 12:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and fireworks at 10:00 p.m.! We have multiple…Find out more »

Moraine Star Spangled Boom

Wax Park     July 4 @ 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Spend your evening at Wax Park for our Star Spangled Boom event and take part in a variety of special activities,… . Find out more »

All American Blast

Franklin Community Park      July 4 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fireworks Are Coming To Franklin! Here is a rundown of all that we have in store to help you and…
Find out more »

Beavercreek 4th of July Parade & Fireworks

Rotary Park      July 4 @ 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

“Take Flight” is the theme for the Beavercreek 4th of July Celebration. The theme will honor all forms of flight…  Find out more »

Kettering’s Go 4th!

Delco Park     July 4 @ 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Celebrate Independence Day with us in beautiful Delco Park! The City of Kettering presents entertainment, food vendors, a fun kids’…Find out more »

Lighted Parade and Fireworks

Twin Valley South High School    July 4 @ 9:30 pm – 10:30 pm

9 pm Lighted Parade Lineup at Salem Lutheran Church Decorate your bike, your wagon, your car, your truck, your motorcycle,…  Find out more »

Red, White & Boro

SPRINGBORO HIGH SCHOOL      July 4 @ 9:45 pm

The City of Springboro in cooperation with Clearcreek Township and Springboro Schools will sponsor a fireworks display on July 4.…Find out more »

Tipp City Fireworks

Kyle Park      July 4 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Independence Day Fireworks & our first Food Truck Rally now  at Kyle  Park. Fireworks take place at 10 pm. Find out more »

Sidney Fourth of July Celebration

Sidney Middle School     July 4 @ 9:00 pm

The evening’s entertainment begins at 9 p.m. with a performance of patriotically themed music by the Sidney Civic Band on…

Find out more »

Friday, July 5th

Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks Festival

Shawnee Park      July 5 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Family friendly and free event made possible by the Sonnycalb family, Greene Memorial Hospital, City of Xenia, Xenia Rotary, and…Find out more »

Saturday, July 6th

Red, White and Brew

The Mall at Fairfield Commons .   July 6 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Spungewurthy will perform live during the event and an amazing fireworks display will follow at 10:00 pm! Find out more »

Greenville Independence Day Celebration

Darke County Fairgrounds     July 6 @ 9:30 pm – 10:30 pm
City of Greenville – Community Fireworks Display – Gate #6 Parking Area and Soccer Fields – 9:30pm Find out more »

Sunday, July 7th

Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration

preble county Ampitheatre     July 7 @ 3:00 pm – 10:30 pm   suggested donation $5/carload

Events start at 3pm.  Food – Kid’s Games – Historic Exhibits – Eaton Community Band – Eaton Community Chorus. Fireworks…Find out more »

If you know of other fireworks displays we should add to this list, please leave a comment below.

Local Eatery’s Take Vacation Time

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Did you know that 65% of Americans plan a picnic or barbecue to celebrate the 4th of July.  More hot dogs are eaten in July than any other month of the year, according  to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council (NHDSC). Americans are expected to eat 155 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday alone.  Americans buy 750 million pounds of chicken leading up to the Fourth of July celebrations. Last year we spent $203 million just on condiments for Fourth of July.  This is more than the $92 million we spend on chips and $60.3 million we spend on dip.  About 68.3 million cases of beer are sold over the Fourth of July weekend, which according to the Nielsen Company, accounts for over 5 percent of the national annual beer consumption.

It’s these kind of numbers that make many restaurants take advantage of this slow time in their to close down, give their staff time off and do some general maintenance on their buildings and equipment that can’t be done while they are open.

 

Here are some of the local closings we know about that are taking an extended holiday:

Ashley’s Pastry Shop– reopens July 10th

 21 Park Ave, Dayton, OH 45419

Providing fresh baked goodness in Dayton, Ohio since 1982. Serving cupcakes, wedding cakes, cookies & more, including gluten-free options.

Bill’s Donuts– reopens Sunday, July 8th at 3pm

268 N Main St, Centerville, OH 45459

Landmark bake shop turning out donuts, cookies, pastries & coffee in an old-fashioned setting.

Company 7 BBQ –   Re-opening Monday July 9th at 11am.

1001 S Main St, Englewood, OH 45322

Award winning, slow-cooked BBQ in a friendly, upscale atmosphere with a Drive Through

Franco’s Ristorante Italiano – will reopen on Monday, July 9th

824 E 5th St, 45402Dayton, Ohio

 

 

Mamma DiSalvo’s – reopens Friday July 6th at noon

1375 E. Stroop Rd. – Kettering, Ohio 45440

Old-school Italian eatery serving pizza, pasta & other classics, plus wine, in a relaxed setting.

Closing just on the 4th of July:

Branch & Bone
Butter Cafe
Corner Kitchen
Fusian
Hairless Hare Brewery
Jimmie’s Ladder 11
Lily’s Bistro
Meadowlark
Old Scratch Pizza
Oregon Express
Proto
Table 33
Thai9
The Rootbeer Stand- closed Tues, July 3rd & Wed, July 4th
Twist Cupcakery
Watermark
Wheat Penny Oven & Grill

If you know of other restaurants closing down for the holiday, please share in the comments below: