Independence Day celebrations and fireworks displays for the nation’s 250th anniversary are planned in Hopkinsville and surrounding communities this weekend. Hoptown Chronicle has pulled together a list of options for area residents.
Pennyrile Area Community Band concert
Get an early start on the American sesquicentennial with a free concert of patriotic music by the Pennyrile Area Community Band at 7 p.m. Thursday on the grounds of Casey Jones Distillery, 2815 Witty Lane.
Guests may bring lawn chairs but not coolers. Food trucks will be on site. The concert is free to attend. Donations for the band will be accepted.
Lake Barkley fireworks
The FreedomFest celebration at Lake Barkley State Resort Park will begin at 3 p.m. Friday with food trucks and games at Barkley Beach.
The fireworks show will begin at dark.
Casey Jones live music
Casey Jones Distillery, 2815 Witty Lane, will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Smokin O’s BBQ starts serving at 12:30 p.m. and Happy Hour starts at 5 p.m. The band Full Circle plays at 6:30 p.m.
Hopkinsville fireworks
The Red White & Oooh! fireworks show is moving to the 75th Western Kentucky State Fair, where attendees can take advantage of plenty of entertainment and food. Highlights of the Saturday fair schedule include:
- 3:30 p.m. — Gates open at fairgrounds on Richard Street
- 4-5 p.m. — Free midway carnival rides
- 4 p.m. — Petting zoo opens across from livestock pavilion
- 6 p.m. — Pedal pull competition in front of convention center
- 6 p.m. — Hoptown Idol winner Tony Hawkins performs
- 7:15 p.m. — Sugar Lime Blue, a high energy band from Nashville, performs
- 7 p.m. — Wrestling at the convention center ($5 admission)
- 7 p.m. — Mid-South Truck and Tractor Pulls at the grandstand (admission, $15 for adults, $5 ages 6-12, free 5 and under)
- 9:15 p.m. — Fireworks show
Admission to the fair’s main gate is $3 per person.
Fort Campbell celebration
Civilians and members of the military may attend the American250 Independence Day Celebration beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday on the Division Parade Field at 6390 Desert Storm Ave. between 47th and 52nd streets.
The events are free. There is a charge for carnival rides and concessions.
A carnival begins at 1 p.m., following by a 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) ceremony at 5 p.m. and a concert featuring The Legend of Charlie Daniels at 6 p.m. Opening act performers will include The Frontmen, Aaron Tippin, Eric Lee Beddingfield and the 101st band.
The fireworks show will start immediately following the concert.
Attendees may bring blankets, folding chairs. Umbrellas used for shade will be allowed until 5 pm.
Guests may enter the Army installation at Gates 1, 4, 7 and 10. Those 16 and older must show a photo ID.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
