The City of Lennox celebrates the Fourth of July with a bang every year with its Old Fashioned Fourth of July event.
In 1984, members of the St. Magdalen Catholic Church congregation organized “Old Fashioned Fourth of July” activities for the day with the hopes it would be become an annual event. Their hopes were realized as the event has continued to grow with this year marking the 40th anniversary. Now the celebration is spearheaded by the Lennox Commercial Club.
Events this year kick-off on Monday, July 3 with cruise night, Little Miss Lennox Pageant, and a street dance.
The Commercial Club Street Dance will feature Weston Frank once again this year with JAIK Band opening. The dance will take place 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are available at Lennox local businesses, including Total Stop, Sunshine, Lewis Drug, and Ace Hardware. Tickets will also be available at the gate. New this year will be food trucks inside the gate. Cruise Night, also held July 3, is open to everyone, and is great family fun. You are invited to find a seat along main street and watch as the cars drive by. The Little Miss Lennox Pageant will begin at 6 p.m. on July 3 at 3rd and Main.
On Thursday, July 4 the big day of events will take place — the Fun Run Road Race, Parade, Arts in the Park, Car Show, Pedal Pull, Live Music, Municipal Band Concert, and the grand finale — the outstanding fireworks show.
The Independence Day Parade will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Entries will line-up at the Sinning Sports Complex on the corner of HWY 17 & HWY 44. The parade route (pictured at right) will begin at the south end of Main Street and head north to 1st Avenue; on 1st, it will turn West to Elm Street. The route will then head south on Elm Street, ending at Second Reformed Church.
There will be no parking on the parade route except for the east side of Main Street from First to Third Avenue.
Prior to the Parade the Lennox Firecracker Fun Run will be held. Registration will be held the day off at the Lennox High School at 7 a.m. with the race beginning at 8 a.m. There is no pre-registration available.
Races include a 10K, 5K and 1-mile. The cost is $25 for 10K, $20 for 5K and $15 for 1-mile race; credit cards will not be accepted, just cash or check. All proceeds will go to support the local Lions Club and Lennox Area Community Fund. All participants will get a t-shirt. The races will not be timed.
Following the race and the parade, crowds can make their way down to Westerman Park where there will be a Kiddy Tractor Pull at 1 p.m.
The Car Show will take place from 12 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The car show is located in Park Drive. Registration will take place 9 a.m. to noon on July 4th and the cost is $20.
There will be Live Music in the Park from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and craft and food vendors will be set up at Westerman Park from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The Lennox Area Museum will also be open on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., although they will be closed during the parade. The Museum is located at 3rd & Main, admission free, but donations are welcome.
The Lennox Municipal Band Concert will take place at 8:00 p.m. at the bandshell in Westerman Park.
The spectacular fireworks show will begin at dusk. Fireworks are shot off from the High School Parking Lot.
The fun continues into the weekend with a Sand Volleyball Tournament on Friday, July 5. The Tournament will be held at West Evergreen Park and will begin at 9:30 a.m.
On Sunday, July 7 on The Lennox Area Ministerial Association is once again organizing a Community Worship in the Park at Westerman Park beginning at 10:30 a.m. People are asked to bring their own lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, the worship will be held in the High School gymnasium.
A Tractor Pull will be held out at the 4H Grounds on Sunday, July 7 as well. This event will begin at 1 p.m.
Comments