Flag at full mast? Check. Red, white and blue ball cap? Check. Sense of overwhelming pride on America’s birthday? If you don’t already have it, you definitely will after visiting patriotic and inspiring Independence Day events this week.
From fireworks lighting up the skies in Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus and Athens to performances by the Cleveland Orchestra and the Toledo Symphony Concert Band, there’s something guaranteed to make sure your holiday goes out with a bang.
Unless otherwise noted below, all photos courtesy of the events or organizations featured.
Fairs/Festivals Love A Fair The unusual sight of racing school buses is joined by fair stalwarts like demolition derbies, livestock and arts and crafts shows during the Trumbull County Fair at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds in Cortland, June 30–July 5. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Air Time From woodland pictures and panoramas of foreign countries to street scenes, “Plein Air Around the World” at Summit Artspace in Akron features all manner of landscape paintings created outside in the open air, through Aug. 1. MORE>
Music/Theater Notable Fireworks The renowned Cleveland Orchestra performs patriotic tunes and classical favorites during their annual Public Square Concert and Festival on July 2. The free concert that draws thousands to downtown Cleveland ends with a spectacular fireworks display.MORE>
Other Events Party Animals Watch as rhinos show off their creativity by painting (in red, white and blue, of course) during the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Red, White & Zoo. See an American flag garden and participate in other patriotic activities, this Saturday. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Historical Fourth An Old Fashioned Fourth of July at Sauder Village in Archbold throws some history in the holiday mix with games dating back to the 1800s, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and hand-cranked ice cream, this Saturday. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Natural Beauties Get up close and personal with nature through “The Photography of Susan Miller Cormier” at the Wassenberg Art Center in Van Wert. Her vibrant and detailed photos of the natural world are displayed July 4–Aug. 15.MORE>
Music/Theater Classical Cannons The 1812 Overture sounds even better when punctuated with live cannons. The artillery joins the Toledo Symphony Concert Band for the Independence Day Concert at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, July 4.MORE>
Other Events Star-Spangled Voyage You’ll have the best seat in the house to watch the city of Toledo’s fireworks display while on board the boat Sandpiper for its Fireworks Cruise, along the Maumee River, this Saturday. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Capital Idea Have an explosive good time when downtown Columbus shows off its colors during Red, White & BOOM! The festival includes entertainment, a parade, Ohio Air National Guard flyover and fireworks, this Friday.MORE>
Museums/Galleries Head of the Glass View the largest private collection of Dale Chihuly’s luminescent large-scale glass sculptures during “Chihuly: Reimagined” among the greenery in Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, July 4–Mar. 28. MORE>
Music/Theater A Civil Affair Discover what drew three out of every five Ohio men to fight in the Civil War and what awaited them during the Echoes in Time Theatre production “For Cause and Comrades” at Ohio Village in Columbus, July 2–30.MORE>
Other Events Wild Walk Celebrate liberty and lunacy during the annual Fourth of July Doo Dah Parade. Consider yourself warned: Anything goes during the colorful parade full of costumed folks and decorated cars, which kicks off at Buttles Avenue in Columbus.MORE>
Sponsored Event:
July 4
CE
Grove City
Fairs/Festivals
Blast at Beulah Watch one of Central Ohio's largest suburban fireworks shows. Enjoy the Danger Brothers in concert and family activities before the fireworks at sunset. This event takes place the day after the city's Red, White and Boom celebration. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals: Cultural Potpourri America’s heritage as a melting pot of people and cultures is celebrated at the multi-cultural Cityfolk Festival at RiverScape MetroPark in Dayton, July 3–5. Listen to traditional and ethnic music, including Bela Fleck, and see dancing, art and more. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Venerable Venue It takes a lot of effort to blow out 90 candles. Save your breath and celebrate the institute’s 90th birthday with an exhibit of some of its best art during “90 Treasures: From the Collection of The Dayton Art Institute,” through Dec. 31. MORE>
Music/Theater Guitar-Driven Hard rockers Aerosmith perform songs from their impressive 39-year musical career at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, this Wednesday. The band is joined by sunglass- and beard-wearing openers, ZZ Top.MORE>
Other Events Full of Hot Air Brightly colored hot air balloons light up the sky during the 10th Annual LaRosa’s Balloon Glow at Coney Island in Cincinnati, this Friday. Not bright enough for you? Stick around for the fireworks display.MORE>
Sponsored Events:
July 4
SW
Blue Ash
Fairs/Festivals
Red, White & Blue Ash Join our Independence Day celebration featuring the region's biggest and best Rozzi's fireworks, simulcast to a music soundtrack, as well as national musical entertainer Gretchen Wilson and lots of food and family activities. MORE>
July 4
SW
Cincinnati
Music/Theater
July 4th Celebration The whole family will enjoy this spectacular music celebration and dazzling display of fireworks. MORE>
July 3 - 4
SW
Fairborn
Other Events
Family Block Party and 4th of July Parade Start your Independence Day celebration in Fairborn with a variety of entertainment, food and fun on July 3rd. Then, return July 4th for the fabulous parade. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Independent Spirit Cool off with a dip in the pool — open to the public for free — after participating in hot activities like a parade, car show, run and fireworks during BoomsDay 2009 in downtown Athens, July 3–4.MORE>
Museums/Galleries Sew Good Quilters can get crafty inspiration at the “Sew ‘n’ Sews Quilt Guild Biennial Quilt Exhibit” featuring a traveling juried quilt show, vendors, raffles and presentations, at the Market on State in Athens, July 1–25.MORE>
Music/Theater Music Al Fresco Relax under shady trees while the Under the Elms Concert Series presents “Celebrate American Independence Day Observation” an orchestral concert with Andrew Trachsel conducting, on the Ohio University College Green in Athens, July 1. MORE>
Other Events Farm Fresh Few things are better on a hot summer day than fresh, juicy fruit. Stop at the Chillicothe Farmers Market to stock up on fresh produce, as well as meat, plants and baked goods, at the Ross County Service Center each Saturday through October. MORE>
Sponsored Events:
May 23 - Sept 7
SE
Athens
Museums/Galleries
Quilt National '09 This year's "Quilt National" is the 16th biennial juried exhibition of innovative art quilts. The first "Quilt National" was presented in the summer of 1979 as the inaugural exhibition at the Dairy Barn. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the exhibit this year with another stunning exhibition of 87 new and previously unseen works. MORE>
Photo Credits: Public Square Concert and Festival: photo courtesy of Roger Mastroianni
The unusual sight of racing school buses is joined by fair stalwarts like demolition derbies, livestock and arts and crafts shows during the Trumbull County Fair at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds in Cortland, June 30–July 5. 
From woodland pictures and panoramas of foreign countries to street scenes, “Plein Air Around the World” at Summit Artspace in Akron features all manner of landscape paintings created outside in the open air, through Aug. 1. 
The renowned Cleveland Orchestra performs patriotic tunes and classical favorites during their annual Public Square Concert and Festival on July 2. The free concert that draws thousands to downtown Cleveland ends with a spectacular fireworks display.
Watch as rhinos show off their creativity by painting (in red, white and blue, of course) during the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Red, White & Zoo. See an American flag garden and participate in other patriotic activities, this Saturday. 
An Old Fashioned Fourth of July at Sauder Village in Archbold throws some history in the holiday mix with games dating back to the 1800s, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and hand-cranked ice cream, this Saturday. 
Get up close and personal with nature through “The Photography of Susan Miller Cormier” at the Wassenberg Art Center in Van Wert. Her vibrant and detailed photos of the natural world are displayed July 4–Aug. 15.
The 1812 Overture sounds even better when punctuated with live cannons. The artillery joins the Toledo Symphony Concert Band for the Independence Day Concert at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, July 4.
You’ll have the best seat in the house to watch the city of Toledo’s fireworks display while on board the boat Sandpiper for its Fireworks Cruise, along the Maumee River, this Saturday. 
Have an explosive good time when downtown Columbus shows off its colors during Red, White & BOOM! The festival includes entertainment, a parade, Ohio Air National Guard flyover and fireworks, this Friday.
View the largest private collection of Dale Chihuly’s luminescent large-scale glass sculptures during “Chihuly: Reimagined” among the greenery in Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, July 4–Mar. 28. 
Discover what drew three out of every five Ohio men to fight in the Civil War and what awaited them during the Echoes in Time Theatre production “For Cause and Comrades” at Ohio Village in Columbus, July 2–30.
Celebrate liberty and lunacy during the annual Fourth of July Doo Dah Parade. Consider yourself warned: Anything goes during the colorful parade full of costumed folks and decorated cars, which kicks off at Buttles Avenue in Columbus.
America’s heritage as a melting pot of people and cultures is celebrated at the multi-cultural Cityfolk Festival at RiverScape MetroPark in Dayton, July 3–5. Listen to traditional and ethnic music, including Bela Fleck, and see dancing, art and more. 
It takes a lot of effort to blow out 90 candles. Save your breath and celebrate the institute’s 90th birthday with an exhibit of some of its best art during “90 Treasures: From the Collection of The Dayton Art Institute,” through Dec. 31. 
Hard rockers Aerosmith perform songs from their impressive 39-year musical career at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, this Wednesday. The band is joined by sunglass- and beard-wearing openers, ZZ Top.
Brightly colored hot air balloons light up the sky during the 10th Annual LaRosa’s Balloon Glow at Coney Island in Cincinnati, this Friday. Not bright enough for you? Stick around for the fireworks display.
Cool off with a dip in the pool — open to the public for free — after participating in hot activities like a parade, car show, run and fireworks during BoomsDay 2009 in downtown Athens, July 3–4.
Quilters can get crafty inspiration at the “Sew ‘n’ Sews Quilt Guild Biennial Quilt Exhibit” featuring a traveling juried quilt show, vendors, raffles and presentations, at the Market on State in Athens, July 1–25.
Relax under shady trees while the Under the Elms Concert Series presents “Celebrate American Independence Day Observation” an orchestral concert with Andrew Trachsel conducting, on the Ohio University College Green in Athens, July 1. 
Few things are better on a hot summer day than fresh, juicy fruit. Stop at the Chillicothe Farmers Market to stock up on fresh produce, as well as meat, plants and baked goods, at the Ross County Service Center each Saturday through October. 
