Fourth of July Parade and Celebration 250 Finale

Celebrate the grand finale of Celebration 250 Columbus with a full day of patriotic festivities, family activities, food, music, and community fun in downtown Columbus. The day will begin with the Columbus Farmers Market and continue with a Patriotic Parade, Kids Zone activities, revolutionary-era games, live DJ entertainment, food vendors, a beer garden, and special programming throughout the afternoon.

Opening ceremonies will begin at noon with kick-off speeches and a special legacy dedication. Families can enjoy free children’s activities hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Bartholomew County Public Library, and kidscommons, including hair tinsel, face painting, hands-on educational displays, and classic revolutionary-era games such as TinPin, Jacks, and Hopscotch. Food and treats will be available from vendors including Snowbiz and Ms. Rachel’s Neat Treats.

The afternoon will also feature a Hot Dog Eating Contest at 3:00 PM and Rock the Block, Revolutionary Style under InterOculus from 4:30–5:30 PM. Family-focused festivities will conclude at 5:30 PM, followed by the start of The Garage/Ovation event at 6:00 PM.

• Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM–11:00 PM
• Location: Downtown Columbus, IN
• Admission: Free to attend; food and beverages available for purchase

Event Schedule

• 9:00 AM–12:30 PM – Farmers Market
• 10:00 AM–6:00 PM – Live DJ
• 11:00 AM – Patriotic Parade
• 11:00 AM–5:30 PM – Kids Zone hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Bartholomew County Public Library, and kidscommons
• 12:00 PM – Kick-off speeches and opening ceremonies, including a dedication of legacy
• 12:00 PM – Beer garden and food sales begin
• 12:00–4:30 PM – Kids Zone activities, including revolutionary-era games, hair tinsel, face painting, educational displays, Snowbiz, and Ms. Rachel’s Neat Treats
• 3:00 PM – Hot Dog Eating Contest
• 4:30–5:30 PM – Rock the Block, Revolutionary Style under InterOculus
• 5:30 PM – Family festivities end
• 6:00 PM – The Garage/Ovation event begins

About the Week:
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with six days of community events in Columbus and Bartholomew County, Indiana. From June 29 through July 4, enjoy a patriotic lineup of family-friendly activities, live entertainment, food trucks, historical experiences, kids’ programming, sports tournaments, a parade, fireworks, and more.

Each day brings a new theme, including American Revolution Day, Tea Day, Star Spangled Kids Day, Historical Society Day, the All-American Festival on Central, and a full day of Fourth of July festivities in downtown Columbus. Highlights include hands-on heritage activities, food and beverage tastings, live music, circus entertainment, children’s activities, the Patriotic Parade, and fireworks to close out the celebration.

Join the community as Columbus comes together to honor history, celebrate local spirit, and mark this once-in-a-generation milestone.