SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
America’s 250th Birthday Bash – Caruthersville
July 4, 2026
Freedom parade
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Liberty on the Mississippi celebration
Food trucks and bounce houses
Birthday cake at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks at dark
America’s 250th Celebration Weekend – Jackson
July 3–5, 2026 | Jackson City Park
Patriotic parade
Kid Zone
Fireworks show
Live music
Biergarten & home brew competition
Mud volleyball tournament
Car show
Movie in the park
Longest beard contest
Community worship service
America’s 250th Parade – Perryville
Thursday, July 2 | 6 p.m.
Community parade for businesses and organizations
Fireworks afterward at Perry Park Center
Bluff’s All-American Weekend – Poplar Bluff
June 5–6, 2026 | Ray Clinton Park
Demolition derby
Live music
Food and craft vendors
Drone show
Monster truck rides
Bounce houses
Dog show
Hot dog eating contest
Firecracker 5K – Jackson
July 4, 2026 | Starts at 7:04 a.m.
Mercy Fitness Center – HealthPoint Jackson
Benefits Mercy Children’s Wellness Fund
Includes race entry, T-shirt, swag bag and childcare options
Ice Cream Social & Community Worship Service – Jackson
Sunday, July 5 | City of Jackson Band Shell
Ice Cream Social at 5 p.m.
Sponsored by American Ice Cream
Community worship service to follow
Free family-friendly event
America’s 250th Birthday Bash set for July 3-5 in Jackson
Dates: July 3-5, 2026
Location: Uptown Jackson and Jackson City Park Bandshell
The City of Jackson and community partners will celebrate America’s 250th Birthday Bash with three days of activities, live entertainment, family events, a parade, fireworks and community gatherings.
Friday, July 3
Decades of America Parade
5 p.m.
Uptown Jackson
Red, White and Brews Homebrew Competition
5 p.m.
Upper Bandshell Parking Lot
Live Music
Brandon Bates
6-7 p.m.
Bandshell
Movie in the Park
7 p.m.
Bandshell
Saturday, July 4
5K Run
7:04 a.m.
Mercy Healthpoint
Car Show
8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mud Volleyball
8:30 a.m.
Biergarten, Food Trucks and Vendors
9 a.m.
Kids Zone and Free Watermelon
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pole Vaulting Demonstrations
River City Vault Club
10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Legion Stage Entertainment
Chris Welch — 11 a.m.
Beard Contest — 12:30 p.m.
Josh Driskell — 1 p.m.
Doug & Mark Rees — 3 p.m.
Bandshell Entertainment
Brandon Bates — 7 p.m.
Muni Band — 8 p.m.
Fireworks
9:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 5
Ice Cream Social
5 p.m.
Bandshell
Community Worship Service
6 p.m.
Bandshell
American Legion Retiring of the Colors Ceremony
7 p.m.
Bandshell
“Honoring Our Heroes” Luncheon – Perryville
July 4, 2026 | Noon
Immanuel Lutheran School Gym
Honors local heroes and America’s 250th birthday
Free tickets available for veterans, heroes and guests
Celebration 250 – Independence Day Celebration – Cape Girardeau
July 4, 2026 | 102 Main St.
Food and drink vendors
Historical and civic displays
Family-friendly activities
Free community celebration
Presented by The Kellerman Foundation
Fourth at the Fort – Cape Girardeau
July 4, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fort D Historic Site
Civil War living history reenactors
Rifle and cannon firing demonstrations
Historic 1861 Woodruff cannon
Interpretive exhibits and displays
Free admission
Mississippi River Paddle to Riverfest – Cape Girardeau
July 4, 2026 | Trail of Tears State Park to Cape Riverfront
14-mile guided Mississippi River paddle
Scenic bluffs and wildlife viewing
Safety briefing required
Limited to 40 participants
Ends at Cape Riverfront during Riverfest
Advance registration required
Riverfest – Cape Girardeau
July 4, 2026 | Cape Girardeau Riverfront
Live entertainment
Food vendors
Family activities
Festival atmosphere downtown
Fireworks over the Mississippi River at dark
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
America’s 250th Birthday Bash – Caruthersville
July 4, 2026 | Courthouse
Hometown Freedom Parade
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Liberty on the Mississippi celebration
Food trucks, bounce houses and souvenirs
Birthday cake at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks at dark
America’s 250th Celebration – Marion
Thursday, July 2, 2026 | Mtn Dew Park
Professional Bull Riding returns for the first time since 2023
Patriotic Sky Elements drone show
Live concert by country artist Easton Corbin
Family-friendly activities
Tickets start at $25
City of Anna 4th of July & America 250 Celebration
Parade participants welcome
Stars & Stripes Dachshund Dash
Vendors wanted
Sweet corn eating contest
Hot dog eating contest
Tractor and car show
Volunteer opportunities available
Memorial Day Service – Carbondale
Monday, May 25, 2026 | 10 a.m.
Woodlawn Cemetery
Keynote address by Desert Storm veteran Dr. Randy Burnside
Honor Guard flag services
Civil War reenactments
Honors one of the nation’s earliest Memorial Day observances
Rend Lake Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration – Benton/Rend Lake
July 3-4, 2026 | Rend Lake Golf Resort
Fireworks return after several years
Live music
Food trucks
Kids activities
Rodeo both nights
Free family-friendly event
Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights – Golconda
11 a.m. — Side-by-side and golf cart parade on Main Street
2 p.m. — Amazing Race competition on the courthouse lawn
Dusk — Fireworks sponsored by Golconda Marina
Carbondale Annual Independence Day Fireworks Display – Carbondale
July 4, 2026 | Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois Music Festival performance at 7:45 p.m.
Fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.
Food vendors on site
Free family-friendly event
Rain date: July 5
Juneteenth Block Party – Carbondale
June 19, 2026 | Attucks Park
Unity in the Community theme
Live entertainment
Community celebration
Family-friendly activities
Free event
Carbondale Game Changers: Swing Big, Dream Bigger – Marion
June 21, 2026 | MTN Dew Park
Celebrates the legacy of the Negro Leagues
Educational programming for youth
Thrillville Thrillbillies game experience
Family-friendly event
Registration required
Carbondale Game Changers: Legacy of the Negro Leagues – Marion
June 27, 2026 | Oasis Thrillville ThrillHouse
Guided tour of the “Buck: Right on Time” exhibit
Negro Leagues educational presentation
Hands-on activities
Free meal and game card
Registration required
July 4, 1776: Freedom for Whom? – Carbondale
July 2, 2026 | 6 p.m.
Carbondale Civic Center
Performing arts presentation
Explores the meaning of freedom and independence
Presented by the NAACP Carbondale Branch
Fourth of July Celebration – Metropolis, Illinois
July 4, 2026 | Washington Park
Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary
Patriotic Parade at 6:16 p.m.
Parade route from Market Street to Washington Park
Reading of the Declaration of Independence following the parade
Live music by Corey Evitts at 7:30 p.m.
Food and drink vendors
Family-friendly activities
Community celebration sponsored by City National Bank
Marion Celebration of Independence ’26
Dates: July 3-4, 2026
Location: Marion, Illinois
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with two days of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, fireworks and community events during the Marion Knights of Columbus’ Celebration of Independence ’26.
Fireworks & Laser Spectacular
July 3 and July 4
At dusk both nights
Entertainment Tent Schedule
July 3
4-6 p.m. — Club VIP DJ
6:30-10:30 p.m. — Saint City Rebels
July 4
1-1:30 p.m. — Extreme Kids
1:45-2:15 p.m. — Market Street Music & Kids
2:30-3:45 p.m. — Country Mac
4-6 p.m. — Bill Harper
6:30-10:30 p.m. — Murphy500
Petting Zoo
July 4
2-8 p.m.
Family Activities
Dunk tank
Foam zone
Inflatables
Car Show
July 3
Opens at 10 a.m.
Registration: $10
Awards:
Best of Show: $300
Best Classic: $200
Best Restomod: $100
WESTERN KENTUCKY
Kentucky State Police Foundation Launches “250 for $250” Campaign
Fundraising initiative celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Supports Kentucky State Police troopers, officers and personnel through foundation-funded resources.
Organizers are encouraging 250 supporters to donate $250.
Calloway County Forms America250 Committee
Calloway County established an America250 committee to coordinate local celebrations.
Members include representatives from county government, tourism, the public library, local historical organizations and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Liberty Tree Project Comes to Calloway County
A tulip poplar, Kentucky’s state tree, was planted as part of a statewide Liberty Tree Project.
The initiative aims to place a commemorative tree in each of Kentucky’s 120 counties to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Mayfield-Graves County Collecting “250 Memories”
Residents are invited to share favorite local memories as part of the “250 Memories of Mayfield-Graves County” project.
Selected stories will be highlighted leading up to Independence Day celebrations and other America 250 events.
Mayfield-Graves County Planning America 250 Events
Tourism officials say additional activities are planned throughout 2026 to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday.
Hickman County’s Independence 250 Celebration
The Hickman County Chamber of Commerce is organizing an expanded Independence 250 event.
Community organizations, businesses and political candidates are invited to participate.
America 250 Overview
America 250 commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Communities across Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois and the nation are planning events, educational programs, historical commemorations, community service projects and celebrations throughout 2026.
America’s 250th Birthday Celebration – Benton
Friday, July 3, 2026, | H.H. Lovett Park
Free admission to Benton City Pool from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bounce obstacle course, Dunk tank, Foam party, Petting Zoo, Giant lawn games, Free hot dogs, chips and drinks, Family-friendly celebration honoring America’s 250th birthday – H.H. Lovett Park, Benton, Kentucky
Hometown Freedom Fest – Owensboro
July 3, 2026 | Yellow Creek Park
America 250 Edition celebration
Live music by Dan Hall & The Blackford Creek Band
Family activities
Food trucks
Fireworks display
Paducah Independence Day Celebration – Paducah
July 4, 2026 | Historic Downtown Paducah
Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary
Food vendors from noon to 9 p.m.
Live music from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Free Ferris wheel rides from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Paducah Community Band performance at 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.
Viewing along the riverfront, Wilson Stage and Schultz Park
Entertainment Lineup
1 p.m. — Jack Martin & Co.
2 p.m. — The BLOOM Initiative
3 p.m. — Sam Lynn
4 p.m. — Lew Jetton
5 p.m. — Lost Stars
6:30 p.m. — Cody Bradley
8:30 p.m. — Paducah Community Band
9:15 p.m. — Fireworks Show
Mayfield-Graves County Fourth of July Celebrations
Dates: July 3-5, 2026
Location: Mayfield and Graves County, Kentucky
Communities across Mayfield and Graves County will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with three days of parades, festivals, fireworks, live music and family-friendly activities.
Featured Events
July 3
Red, White & Blue Day
Sedalia Ball Park
Begins at 7 p.m.
Live music, fireworks and family activities
July 4
Mayfield-Graves County 250th Independence Day Parade
Patriotic parade celebrating America’s 250th birthday
July 5
Fourth of July Community Celebration
Begins at 5 p.m.
Food, music and community fellowship
July 11
St. Denis Picnic – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Games, prizes, bingo, raffle, live music and sweet treats
Murray State University Fourth of July Concert
Saturday, July 4, 2026 | Lovett Auditorium, Murray State University
Free patriotic concert celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
Features the Town & Gown Community Band and Chorale.
Concert begins at 7 p.m.
Open to the public.
