Get ready to spend time with family and friends, watch a firework display and celebrate the Fourth of July.
The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is a federal holiday that commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
Festivities in the metro area will start on July 1 and continue through July 4. The federal holiday will be observed on July 4.
On July 1, there’s an opportunity to watch the balloons that are in town as part of the 2022 Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest flicker and glow during the Celebrate American Balloon Glow from 5-10 p.m. at Northpark in Ridgeland. The event is free.
The Luckenbach Willie Tribute Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. and Dr. Zarr and the Amazing Funk Monsters at 9:30 p.m. during the Balloon Glow. A firework display with patriotic music, featuring Temperance Babcock, will close the evening. Food will be available to purchase.
The Brain Injury Association of Mississippi has scheduled its 2022 Dash ‘N Splash Race for Brain & Spinal Cord Injury at 9 a.m. on July 2 at Old Trace Park. Tickets for the 5k run, walk and 1-mile fun run may be found at raceroster.com.
After the race, watermelon will be served, water slides will be set up and a giant balloon bash is planned.
The city of Jackson has scheduled a firework show on the evening of July 2 at Smith-Wills Stadium, 1200 Lakeland Drive. Dharma Professional Services is paying for the $16,000 cost of the show that will be produced by Pyro Shows of LaFollette, Tennessee.
On July 2, the Barnett Reservoir Foundation will stage its 11th Independence Celebration, highlighted by a dual firework show and music at Old Trace and Lakeshore parks. The show is free, open to the public and co-hosted by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. The gates to Old Trace and Lakeshore parks will open at 5 p.m.
Brian Smith and Scott Stricklin will perform starting at 6 p.m. at Old Trace Park and Temperance Babcock will perform beginning at 6 p.m. at Lakeshore Park. Activities at both parks will start with an aircraft flyby, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem.
Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. from the end of Red Dot Road near Old Trace Park and from a barge floated off Lakeshore Park. A simultaneous soundtrack of patriotic music will accompany the show. Each park will have a Kids Zone, food trucks and beverages, including beer, available.
No outside food, beverages or coolers will be allowed at either park. Dogs are welcome.
The St. Richard Catholic Church Fourth of July Family Picnic is scheduled on July 3 after the 5 p.m. Mass. The picnic will feature food, treats and more; families are asked to provide a favorite dessert to share.
Boy Scout Troop #30 will hold its annual flag retirement ceremony at the picnic. Flags that are worn and need to be retired should be dropped off at the church office at St. Richard by July 1.
The city of Madison has planned its annual fireworks show on July 3 at 9 p.m. at Liberty Park. Food trucks will be at the park at 6 p.m.
On July 4, lace up your running or walking shoes and participate in the 2022 Farm Bureau Watermelon Classic that benefits the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. The event will begin on Lakeland Drive in front of the Mississippi Agriculture Museum and will finish in the parking lot in front of the Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
The event is one of the largest fundraisers for the museum each year and raises funds to keep the doors open and support the museum’s mission of preserving, protecting and promoting Mississippi’s rich sports heritage.
A 1-mile Wellness Run, open to all ages, starts at 8:45 a.m. and then a Tot Trot for youngsters ages 3 and younger is scheduled at 9 a.m.
Events also include a competitive 5k run and 5k walk. Cash prizes will be awarded to the overall 5k run winners as well as medals for overall winners and age group winners in each event.
Registration is at msfame.com. Registration fees increase after June 29 and registration closes on July 3 at 5 p.m. There will be no race day registration.
Packet pick up is scheduled June 29 through July 2 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. Race day pick up is from 6:30-7:15 a.m. on July 4.
