Lexington has a 10-day celebration planned for the Fourth of July. See the events

Lexington is planning to put on more than a week’s worth of events to celebrate the Fourth of July on the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Mayor Linda Gorton said the city will be “turning up the fun” this year. In addition to the 250th anniversary of the U.S., Lexington is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Bluegrass 10,000, an annual 10K that runs through downtown.

“There is nothing more American than the Fourth of July,” Gorton said.

The celebration will begin on June 26 with “Friday Flicks” in Jacobson Park, according to Director of Parks and Recreation Monica Conrad. The event will begin at 7 p.m. with children’s games, a petting zoo, food-vendors and more. Once the night begins to set in, a sing-a-long to the movie adaptation of “Hamilton” will begin.

June 27 will feature the “Bluegrass 10,000 Wellness Expo” at Phoenix Park and the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center. The event will begin at 11 a.m. and feature vendors for running gear, wellness workshops, fitness classes, massages and a chance to register for the 50th Bluegrass 10,000 run in-person.

On June 30, the Moondance Amphitheater will host a “Patriotic Night,” featuring a big band and jazz performance by the Lexington Summer Concert Big Band. The event will begin at 7 p.m.

Gorton announced that this year’s “Ice Cream Social” on July 1 will also feature an “America 250 Birthday Party” and free cake and ice cream. The event will be held at the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Tandy Park and begin at 5:30 p.m. with live music, children’s games and activities.

The “Southland Jamboree: Patriotic Edition” will be held on Thursday, July 2, at the Moondance Amphitheater. The event is a free bluegrass concert featuring the Six String Soldiers U.S. Army Band and food vendors. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and the city is encouraging attendees to bring an instrument to join a jam after the concert.

Another concert will be held July 3 at Transylvania University and Gratz Park. The band Young at Heart will begin at 5 p.m. for a pre-show, and the Lexington Philharmonic will take the stage at 7:30 for a program centered around celebrating America.

The celebrations on July 4 will begin early in the morning with the annual Bluegrass 10,000. Gorton announced that the city is adding a new 5K option for the race, on top of the two 10K races and 1-mile Fun Run.

• 10K race (wheelchair): 7:25 a.m.
• 10K race (runners): 7:30 a.m.
• 5K race: 7:30 a.m.
• Fun Run: 8:30 a.m.

The race will start on the corner of Main Street and North Limestone.

The Fourth of July Festival and Market will take place at Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature live music, food vendors, activities and more. A reading of the United States Declaration of Independence will also take place nearby at the Historic Lexington Courthouse at 10 a.m.

The Fourth of July parade will set off at noon and move down Main Street from Midland to Mill Street, passing by the Fourth of July Festival and Market. The top three floats will receive a large ribbon to display, and will be recognized by the viewing stand as they pass.

The city is asking participants to decorate their floats in celebration of the occasion. Those wishing to participate in the parade must fill out an application.

The Fourth of July will conclude with a “Firework Spectacular” at 10 p.m. from the R.J. Corman rail yard on the corner of Main Street and Oliver Lewis Way. President and CEO of R.J. Corman Justin Broyles attended the press conference and thanked Gorton and her team for their collaboration on “making downtown celebrations like this possible.”

“This iconic location provides a safe, spacious and highly visible downtown site that delivers an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors alike,” Broyles said. “Fireworks are more than a show, they bring our community together.”

The 10-day celebration will come to a conclusion on July 5 at the Moondance Amphitheater, where “Summer Nights: Red, White and Blues” will be held. The event will feature live music from local blues artist Tee Dee Young. It begins at 7 p.m.

Gorton asked those on Main Street and in the city to make Lexington a “sea of red, white and blue.” She said to decorate homes, decorate businesses and enter floats in celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday.

“Come on downtown, fill the streets with red, white and blue and celebrate the spirit that has carried our nation forward for 250 years,” Gorton said.