4th of July, Fireworks, Movies, Music & More
Noblesville’s Mark Jones, as Uncle Sam on roller skates, skates along behind Hamilton County Emergency Management vehicle, during a previous Noblesville Fourth of July Parade. This year, the parade, presented by Gaylor Electric, steps off at 4:30 p.m. Monday and travels through downtown Noblesville.
It’s Independence Day weekend and there are lots of things to do.
Cicero’s Lights Over Morse Lake Festival kicks off today, Conner Prairie celebrates all weekend during a Glorious Fourth and Symphony on the Prairie, CarmelFest is Sunday and Monday with fireworks both nights, and Noblesville Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks are Monday.
Also, if you haven’t been out to Forest Park Aquatic Center, Friday nights are now more fun thanks to a giant, new video board that shows family movies. The Flix and Float movie nights are each Friday at 8 p.m., featuring “Jumanji,” tonight. Toy Factory is the band tonight at Cool Creek Park, “Groundhog Day” is tonight’s final flick at Jim Wafford’s Hamilton County TV outdoor summer movie series and The Belfry Theatre’s “Drinking Habits” play continues through this weekend at Ivy Tech Auditorium in Noblesville.
Here, we offer our Times readers 20 things to do this weekend and beyond:
1. Enjoy a Star-Spangled Symphony at Conner Prairie Friday through Monday featuring the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alfred Savia and vocalist Doug LaBrecque.
A free trolley shuttle will take riders to Noblesville July 4 Fireworks Festival, presented by IDI Composites International, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Forest Park, with entertainment at 7:30 p.m., food trucks, kids activities, fireworks at 10 p.m.
2. The 2022 Lights Over Morse Lake Festival kicks off today and continues through Monday in Cicero in celebration of the July 4 holiday weekend. Linda Lee, then The Bishops, will perform beginning at 7 p.m. today, with an outdoor movie at 9 p.m. at Cicero Christian Church. On Saturday, it’s Kids Day at the Park, there is a Miss Celebrations USA Lights over Morse Lake Pageant at 9 a.m. at Cicero Christian Church; a youth 3-on-3 basketball tournament at 9 a.m. at the park; Princess/Superheroes and Face Painting, 10 a.m. to noon at the library pavilion; American Legion Military Celebration Lunch 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Red Bridge Park; Music in the Park noon to 6 p.m.; Cruise-In Car Show 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Park; Scavenger Hunt, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cicero Christian Church; Caboose Rides 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; United Family Wesleyan Church Fish Fry 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wesleyan Church on Washington Street; Cicero Friends of the Park Bingo 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Community Park. On Sunday, Husky Futures’ Nelson’s BBQ port a pit chicken fundraiser 11 am. to 2 p.m.; Cornhole Tournament, noon at Community Park; Golf Cart Poker Run, 2 p.m. at Cicero Christian Church shelter; Music in the Park noon to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Community Park; Hamilton County Band, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Community Park; Rain Barrel Silent Auction ends at 4 p.m.; hot air balloon tethered rides, 7:30 p.m. to sunset and The Big 80s Band 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the library pavilion. On Monday, Selah’s Grace 5K Run/Walk begins at 7:30 a.m. at the parks office; golf-cart decorating contest at 10 a.m. at the library pavilion; parade at 11 a.m., lineup at 10 a.m. in three different areas; Music in the Park, noon to 6 p.m.; Music in the Park, noon to 6 p.m. in Community Park; United Family Wesleyan Church Free Fair, 4 to 8 p.m.; with Fireworks at 10 p.m. at the Jackson Street Bridge. A carnival, Prancing Ponies and farm animal petting zoo, Cicero Christian Church hospitality tent, Barnyard Party Pals, Hamster Ball Fun and food and craft vendor booths are offered daily. The carnival is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. today, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and noon to 9:30 p.m. Monday at Community Park. Save $2 on wristband with electronic coupon on website, Friday-Sunday. Visit www.lightsovermorselake.org.
3. Join Hamilton County Parks & Recreation on the lawn at Cool Creek Park for the Cool Creek Concert Series, at 7 p.m. select Fridays, with $5 admission, free to ages 12 and younger. Concert schedule: tonight, Toy Factory; July 15, The Nauti Yachtys featuring Josh Kaufman; July 22, Stella Luna and The Satellites; Aug. 5, 45RPM
4. Come out to Forest Park Aquatic Center in Noblesville and enjoy movies this summer on the new video board during the Flix and Float movie nights each Friday at 8 p.m., featuring “Jumanji,” sponsored by Ruoff Music Center, tonight; “The Water Horse,” sponsored by Church, Church Hittle & Antrim, on July 16; “Encanto,” sponsored by Buddenbaum & Moore, July 22; “The Shallows,” Rated PG-13, sponsored by Holt Legal Group, on July 30; “Goonies,” sponsored by Sign Craft, on Aug. 13; “Dog,” sponsored by Lew’s Plumbing, on Aug. 20; and “Top Gun,” sponsored by Troy and Alicia Tricker, on Sept. 30. Admission is $5 per person but included with pool membership. Visit https://www.forestparkpool.org/
Noblesville July 4 Fireworks Festival ends each year with fireworks at 10 p.m. at Forest Park.
5. Jim Wafford’s Hamilton County TV presents the 11th annual free summer movie series at 9:15 p.m. today, the final night for movies in your car at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnicking are invited. Tonight’s movie: “Groundhog Day” rated PG.
6. The Belfry Theatre presents “Drinking Habits,” a comedy by Tom Smith, through July 3 at The Ivy Tech Auditorium in Noblesville, with Nancy Lafferty directing, with reservations at thebelfrytheatre.org or at 317-773-1085, or tickets at the door.
7. Noblesville Farmers Market is open for the season 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at Federal Hill Commons in downtown Noblesville. Parking is offered at nearby parking lots and at the park’s Green Room parking lot, which will be restricted to vendor spaces and handicapped parking only during the weekly market.
8. Nickel Plate Express’ Little Red Caboose is on the move again, and can be found in Cicero for Lights Over Morse Lake Festival 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, boarding just behind the ballfields, all kids ride free; and Monday rides 6:30-9 p.m. boarding at Hobbs Station in Forest park during Noblesville Fourth of July Fireworks Festival.
9. Carousel Corner is open at Forest Park in Noblesville from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through July 31, then weekends Aug. 6-Oct. 23, with $2 carousel rides and $3 mini golf.
10. Central Indiana Vintage Vehicles invites car buffs to show off their vintage vehicles on the Courthouse Square during the weekly Saturday night Cruise-in. Lawn chairs and old-car conversations invited.
Audiences will enjoy the antics of Father Chenille (Chris Taylor, standing left) and the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing (Cathie Morgan, Jennifer Poynter (sitting left) and Barb Weaver) who invite the community to attend The Belfry Theatre’s “Drinking Habits,” a comedy by Tom Smith, onstage through July 3 at The Ivy Tech Auditorium in Noblesville, with Nancy Lafferty directing, with reservations at thebelfrytheatre.org.
11. Carmelfest is Sunday and Monday at Carter Green near The Center for Performing Arts and Carmel City Hall. On Sunday, Naughty Yachtys band perform at noon, Phone Club at 2 p.m., The Beatless at 3:45 p.m., Myron Elkin and the Dying Breed at 5:45 p.m., Fat Pockets at 7:30 p.m. at Carter Green; Carmelfest Has Talent at noon, Gordon Bonham & Gene Deer at 2:30 p.m., Tay Bronson & The Tackle Box at 4 p.m., The John Boyle Trio at 5:30 p.m., Indiana Wind Symphony at 8 p.m., with Carmelfest fireworks from Badger Field and West Park at 9:45 p.m. On Monday, the Allied Solutions CarmelFest parade steps off at 10:30 a.m.; My Yellow Rickshaw at noon, Benito DiBartoli & Hired Gun at 2 p.m., The Cosmic Situation at 4:30 p.m., Warrior Kings at 6 p.m. and Audiodacity at 8 p.m. at Carter Green; School of Rock Carmel & Fishers at noon, Carmel Music Academy at 2 p.m., Marrialle Sellers Band at 3 p.m., Touch of Grass at 5 p.m., Carmel Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at the Gazebo; and CarmelFest Fireworks at 9:45 p.m., with KidsZone with petting zoo open both days in City Hall parking lot. The CarmelFest Freedom Run is 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Carmel High School. Visit www.carmelfest.net
12. Conner Prairie offers a Glorious Fourth Activities Saturday through Monday at the Fishers living history museum, including Lenape Indian Camp social dances and music celebration at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visit www.connerprairie.org.
13. Noblesville Fourth of July Parade, presented by Gaylor Electric, steps off at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Ivy Tech Hamilton County Campus and travels south on 16th Street, west on Logan Street, north on Ninth Street and east on Monument St.
14. Noblesville July 4 Fireworks Festival, presented by IDI Composites International, is 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Forest Park, with Hairbangers Ball to perform 7:30-9:30 p.m., with kids activities, food trucks, plus fireworks at 10 p.m. Free trolley service. Indiana 19 will be closed from Field Drive to Logan Street after 5:30 p.m.
Come out to Forest Park Aquatic Center in Noblesville and enjoy movies this summer on the new video board during the Flix and Float movie nights each Friday at 8 p.m., featuring “Jumanji,” tonight, sponsored by Ruoff Music Center.
15. Grab your binoculars and join Hamilton County Parks for Beginner Bird Walks at 8:30 a.m. Sundays and Wednesdays at Cool Creek Park in Westfield and 8:30 a.m. the first Wednesday, through June at Strawtown Koteewi Park in Noblesville.
16. Hamilton County Parks offers Wednesday night free Cool Creek Campfires at Cool Creek Park, at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, through July 27. Special programs each week: All-American Animals, July 6; Baby! It’s Wild Outside, July 13; Hoosier Owls, July 20; Really Dangerous Animals, July 14. Bring your favorite vinyl to play on a provided turntable at 5:30 p.m. on Turntable Thursdays at Primeval Brewing in downtown Noblesville.
17. Noblesville Parks’ Summer Concert Series continues Thursdays at Dillon Park in Noblesville. Here’s the schedule: July 7, Roughouse Indy; July 14, Toy Factory; and July 21, Dave & Rae.
18. Concerts at the Commons are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on select Saturdays through September at Federal Hill Commons. Concert schedule: July 9, 16 Candles (‘80s variety) and Roughouse; July 23, Britbeat (Beatles tribute) and Rhino Down; Aug. 13, Motor City Revue (Motown Tribute) and BBI; Aug. 27, Nightrain (Guns & Roses tribute) and The Cosmic Situation; Sept. 9, The Eagles Project (Eagles Tribute) and The Toons; Sept. 24, Trippin Billies (Dave Matthews Tribute) and Sam King.
19. Legacy Keepers Music’s free String-Time on the Square series, the third Saturday through September, featuring bluegrass music at 6:30 p.m. on the Hamilton County Courthouse Square in downtown Noblesville. Upcoming: July 16, Cornfields & Crossroads Bluegrass Band, opener Jean Roberts & Leslie Selden; Aug. 20, Rock Bottom Boys of Madison County, opener Addie McMillan; and Sept 17, Stones Crossing Family Band, opener Alec Bohuk & Eric Reel.
20. Save the date: Noblesville Main Street’s Noblesville Street Dance has changed its date to Aug. 6, from the previously posted July 23 event, on the Courthouse Square.
– Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com.