As Independence Day nears, the Town of Cicero is gearing up for its annual Lights Over Morse Lake Festival. There’s something for everyone across five days of one big patriotic party. From a carnival to hot air balloon rides, to face painting, to basketball, cornhole, and pickleball tournaments, to bingo, to live music, and even a golf cart wash fundraiser and more … if you don’t have fun in Cicero this year, it’s probably your own fault!
New this year will be the crowning of the first-ever Festival Queen on Friday. Read all about it below.
Friday, June 30
The Town of Cicero kicks off the Lights Over Morse Festival on Friday, June 30 by crowning its first Festival Queen.
The inaugural Miss Lights Over Morse Lake Queen Pageant will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Cicero Christian Church, 1715 Stringtown Pike, and girls aged 17 to 20 from the Hamilton Heights school district will compete for scholarships. The co-chairs of the queen pageant are Nikki Hurdley and Lisa Everling, and committee helpers include Kristen Moon and Jessica Higgbotham.
Thanks to these sponsors: BerryComm (Title Sponsor), Lunar Companies, Dr. Raymond Baumgartner, Lisa Everling, and Pizza House.
Also, during the intermission of the Queen Pageant will be the first Little Miss Lights Over Morse Lake Showcase. Girls must be between ages 4 and 7 and in the Hamilton Heights school district. Sashes and tiaras will be donated by Lisa & Brian Bear, and every girl is a winner. The Little Miss Lights pageant chair is Lisa Bear. For more information, go to lightsovermorselake.org/pageant.
Other fun activities on opening day include:
- Food & craft vendors at Community Park, 139 Stringtown Pike, 4 to 8 or 9 p.m.
- Carnival behind the Hamilton North Public Library, 209 W. Brinton St., 4 to 11 p.m.
- Golf Cart Wash Fundraiser (for Legacy H.S. Varsity Basketball) at Red Bridge Park, 697 W. Jackson St., 6 p.m.
- Music Bingo at the Community Park Shelter, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Outdoor Movie Night at Cicero Christian Church Shelter/North Lawn, 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 1
Saturday, July 1 is Kids Day at the Lights Over Morse Lake Festival in Cicero.
- 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament: 9 a.m. at Community Park, 139 Stringtown Pike
- Princess/Superheroes & Face Painting: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Hamilton North Public Library Pavilion, 209 W. Brinton St.
- Barnyard Party Pals: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Community Park
- Carnival: Behind the Hamilton North Public Library, noon to 11 p.m. $25 per day, all day – $3 off coupon.
- Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides: 7:30 p.m. to sunset at Cicero Christian Church, 1715 Stringtown Pike. $15.
- Cicero Friends of the Park Bingo: 5 to 7 p.m. at Community Park Picnic Shelter. $1 per game with cash prizes for the winners.
New this year is the Inaugural “Pickleball Blast” Tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday in Community Park. All proceeds benefit Central Indiana Teach One to Lead One, a community mentoring group. For more information or to register, go to lightsovermorselake.org/pickleball-tournament.
Finish the evening by listening to the high energy, multi-genre band The Bishops from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hamilton North Public Library Pavilion.
Sunday, July 2
There are lots of fun, family friendly activities set for Sunday, July 2 at the Lights Over Morse Lake Festival in Cicero.
- Cornhole Tournament, noon (registration at 11 a.m.) at the south end of Community Park, 139 Stringtown Pike. Cost is $30 per team. Cash prizes and trophies to the top three teams. To register, visit org/cornhole-tournament.
- Cicero’s Kids Got Talent Show, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hamilton North Public Library Pavilion, 209 W. Brinton St. There will be cash prizes for winners in the following age categories: 6 and under, 7 to 10, 11 to 15, and 15 to 18. To register, visit org/ciceros-got-talent.
- The Hamilton County Community Band, under the direction of Brian Swart, will perform from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Community Park Shelter.
- Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt, 4 to 6 p.m. Starts and ends at the Cicero Christian Church Shelter, 1715 Stringtown Pike.
- Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides, 7:30 p.m. to sunset at Cicero Christian Church. $15.
- Krista & the Night Shift (traditional and modern country music) will be in concert from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Hamilton North Public Library Pavilion. Opener Mikey Good will start at 6 p.m.
Monday, July 3
The fun continues Monday, July 3 at the Lights Over Morse Lake Festival in Cicero.
Stop by the Festival Office/Camper in Community Park, 139 Stringtown Pike, to view 11 beautifully painted rain barrels, presented by Cicero Friends of the Park and sponsored by the Cicero Storm Water Management Board. There will be a silent auction (which ends at 4 p.m. on July 2) and all proceeds benefit the Cicero Parks Department.
Visit the Food & Craft Vendors in Community Park from 4 to 8 p.m. and bring the kids to the Carnival from 4 to 11 p.m. behind the Hamilton North Public Library. Barnyard Party Pals will also be in Community Park from 3 to 9 p.m. Finish the day with the Big 80’s Band in Concert from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hamilton North Public Library Pavilion.
Tuesday, July 4
Start the Fourth of July holiday at Selah’s Grace 5K Run/Walk at 7:30 a.m. Registration starts at 7 a.m. at the Cicero Parks Department Building, 1050 S. Pearl St.
Selah’s Grace is a non-profit support group for families who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. This 5K is sponsored by Cicero Christian Church. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/IN/Cicero/SelahsGrace5KRunWalk.
The annual Cicero Fourth of July Parade will kick off at 11 a.m. Line-up starts at 10 a.m. This huge parade is always a fan favorite. Parade Grand Marshals will be Greg & Kathy Bowman. For more information or to register, visit lightsovermorselake.org/parade. Thanks to parade sponsor Adler Attorneys.
Another annual favorite is the United Family Wesleyan Church Free Fair from 4 to 8 p.m. at 210 Washington Ave. There will be lots of free food and games for all ages.
Cicero has saved the best for last – the grand finale Fireworks Show at 10 p.m. Fireworks will be shot off a barge in Morse Lake in front of the Jackson Street Bridge. Find lots of great viewing on the east and west sides of the Jackson Street bridge. The bridge will be closed to vehicles at 8 p.m. Parking is $10 at Red Bridge Park (proceeds benefit Cicero Friends of the Park).
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Come celebrate the country’s birthday in Cicero this year! For more information and a complete festival event listing, visit lightsovermorselake.org.