You’re invited to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in ShelbyKY. Shelbyville, Simpsonville and Shelby County, Kentucky are preparing for a spectacular Independence Day weekend where you’ll be able to live it up with your friends and family, and learn about our nation’s history in safe, secured environments. Here’s the rundown of what to expect so you can plan accordingly:
Events in Shelbyville
Shelbyville Independence Day Parade: A long-standing tradition on the holiday, the Independence Day Parade will roll through the historic Shelby Main Street starting at 10 AM on July 4. With floats that are both classic and playful showcasing the red, white and blue, it’s sure to be a great way to kick off the holiday with your family. When you’re not looking at the floats, make sure to admire the patriotic displays on the storefronts of the Main Street businesses.
Image courtesy of Charles Kirian
Red, White & Food Truck Night at The Lot: Only a month after opening its doors to outstanding food trucks and hungry customers, The Lot has already made a big impression on locals and visitors alike. It’s an outstanding summer hangout location on a normal day, so imagine what it’ll be like on America’s 250th birthday. From 3PM until 10 PM, there will be live music to entertain you when you’re not chowing down from the delicious options available from numerous food trucks parked on-site.
Events in Simpsonville
Farmers Market, Mini Motors, BBQ & More: Downtown Simpsonville will be bristling with activity. It starts with the weekly Simpsonville Farmers Market in Wiche Park Pavilion where you can support local businesses by getting food, artwork, clothes and more throughout the morning. The special events to celebrate our independence center around the Mini Motors race for kids aged 2 and up. They will take on the “Simpsonville Mini-Motor Speedway” with foot-powered racing that’s scheduled to begin at 10:15 AM. There will be a BBQ pit on-hand for racers and their families to enjoy, plus a wagon parade.
Shelby County Historical Society at The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass: On both Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about our nation’s earliest days, as well as access to unique, complimentary photo opportunities thanks to performances from the Shelby County Historical Society. The slate includes:
- An artifact display and revolutionary minutemen mini-documentaries
- A presentation of colors as you would have seen in the revolutionary era (2:30 PM on July 3 and 4 PM on July 4)
- The town crier’s reading of the Constitution
- Living statues of Thomas Jefferson and Betsy Ross
- Fashions of the Revolutionary era featuring women dressed as you’d have seen them in 1776
- A fife and drum performance as you’d have seen it in America’s earliest days (3 PM on July 3)
Fireworks Show: Why yes, of course there’s a fireworks show. And it’s a massive one! After the historical activities, stick around at The Outlet Shoppes to see one of the biggest fireworks shows that’ll take place in all of Kentucky this year. It’s tentatively scheduled to begin at 10 PM, which will light up the sky and send vibrations through your bones. There’ll be plenty of spots to take it in across the mall’s parking lot thanks to its open setting.
More events could be added across ShelbyKY before the holiday weekend. Be sure to check our event calendar for the complete list of activities happening to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our independence, and many more fun things happening this summer.
For the 4th of July or any other occasion, you can plan your trip to ShelbyKY with our visitor guide. It's free and contains wonderful information about how to spend your time here.
