Noblesville will host its annual Fourth of July events including the parade downtown, and festival and fireworks at Forest Park as planned on Saturday, July 4.
“We are excited to move forward with our city’s Fourth of July activities so we can celebrate together as a community. We will host safe and fun events for in Noblesville and have planned additional safety measures to make attendees feel more comfortable while social distancing,” Mayor Chris Jensen said.
This year’s Stars & Stripes Forever Parade sponsored by Gaylor Electric will be led by four “Frontline Heroes” – Jill Maynard of Noblesville Schools, Joyce Wood of Riverview Health, Division Chief James Macky of Noblesville Fire Department and Officer Trevor Schmidt of the Noblesville Police Department. The parade begins at 4:30 p.m. at the corner of 16th and Harrison streets and will run along Logan, Ninth and Monument streets.
Due to public health concerns, parade participants will not be permitted to hand out or distribute anything to the crowd to eliminate all hand-to-hand contact. The city also extended the parade route four streets along Monument Street. For social distancing, the public is encouraged to use the entire length of the parade to view the event.
Immediately after the parade, the free Fireworks Festival, presented by IDI Composites International, will take place at Forest Park from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will include traditional park amenities such as playgrounds, shelters and shade; along with food vendors and a beer garden. Boy Band Review will perform from the main stage on the golf course from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The festival will increase the number of hand washing stations located across Forest Park – and near all restrooms. All attractions from the festival that are not conducive to social distancing or would be impossible to sanitize after each use have been removed this year. This includes annual items like kids zone inflatables, face painters, rock climbing wall and the zip line.
“We recommend guests practice social distancing where possible and encourage the wearing of face masks. Guests are also encouraged to bring hand sanitizer and plenty of water since water fountains are turned off at the park and the forecast calls for a hot, humid day,” Jensen said.
The Noblesville Chamber of Commerce is donating free, disposable facemasks for those that want them – as supplies last. These will be available at the two info booths at the festival. The chamber also will make the masks available downtown prior to the parade.
The grand finale of the day will be the fireworks display, which will begin at 10 p.m. Attendees can view the fireworks at the festival, but the city also is making Federal Hill Commons available as a socially-distant public viewing area. Federal Hill allows families to spread out and view the fireworks away from Forest Park and closer to available parking. Noblesville Police will assist in crossing traffic at Conner Street and Indiana 19 and event workers will be at Federal Hill to assist guests. For those who are unable to attend, the city will be livestreaming the fireworks on its social media pages.
The festival is providing free trolley rides from Noblesville High School, 16111 Cumberland Road, to Forest Park. The trolleys will make four stops across the parking lot.
As part of this year’s safety measures, drivers will wear face masks and have their temperature taken prior to driving. Trolleys will be disinfected after each drop-off and will be deep cleaned prior to the fireworks. Hand sanitizer will be available on all trolleys.
Public parking will not be available at the park. The Noblesville Chamber of Commerce is selling parking permits to The Lodge’s lot and the Forest Park Aquatic Center is also selling permits to its lot. Each permit is $25. Limited handicap parking will be available at Shelter No. 5 inside the park.
“We are encouraging guests to utilize the numerous downtown parking lots and on street parking and walk to the festival using the pedestrian bridges across the White River or State Road 19,” Jensen said.
For questions or additional details, visit NoblesvilleFireworksFestival.com.
Graphic provided
Graphic provided