Written by IndyStar’s Maureen Gilmer @MaureenCGilmer
Freedom Blast
July 4, 9:45 p.m., Regions Bank, 211 N. Pennsylvania St., free, (317) 221-6000,http://firecracker6.com/travel.php.
Central Indiana’s biggest and best-known display launches from the top of the Regions building Downtown and can be seen for miles. Get Downtown early if you want to get a good spot, but consider viewing the show from a rooftop in Fountain Square or other nearby neighborhoods to avoid getting caught in traffic. Better yet, travel on foot or by bike.
CarmelFest
July 3-4, fireworks at 9:45 p.m. July 4, launched just north of the Palladium, 760 3rd Ave. SW, Carmel, www.carmelfest.net.
Two days of festivities include a performance by the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, a parade, kids’ zone, entertainment, a talent show and the Freedom Run. The fireworks show is free unless you sign up for the ultimate viewing party — Mercedes-Benz BANG! Fireworks Experience. Gather a group of eight, and for $1,000, you can have a private cabana on top of the Palladium/Tarkington Theater, reserved parking, live music, food and drinks, caricatures, even souvenir viewing chairs.
Zionsville July 4 Celebration
July 4, fireworks at dusk, Lions Park, 115 S. Elm St., zionsvillelions.com/events/4th-of-july.
Food, music and fun for the kids start at 5 p.m. Get there early to get a good seat. Free admission, but Lions Club parking is $5. On July 5, the Zionsville Concert Band will present a free concert at 7 p.m. in the park. Musical selections will include “Yankee Doodle Boy,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Plainfield Fourth of July Extravaganza
July 4, fireworks at 9:55 p.m., Hummel Park, 1500 S. Center St., free, (317) 839-9121,www.townofplainfield.com.
The party begins at 5 p.m. with a bounce house, climbing wall and giant slide, followed by a concert by the Hendricks Symphonic Society.
Beech Grove Fireworks
July 3, fireworks at dusk, Sarah Bolton Park, 1300 Churchman Ave., Beech Grove, free, (317) 788-4977, www.beechgrove.com.
The fun starts in the early evening, with games and a pork chop dinner sponsored by the Beech Grove Lions Club. No parking will be allowed inside the park this year, except for vehicles with handicap stickers.
Bella Vita Lakeside
July 4, fireworks at dusk, 11699 Fall Creek Road, (317) 598-9011,www.bellavitaatthemarina.com.
Fireworks over the water can be a magical sight. Bella Vita is a few steps from the bridge where the Geist Lake Coalition holds its annual July 4th Blast on the Bridge, so you’ll get a great view from the terrace, while sipping a drink and listening to live music.
Symphony on the Prairie: Star Spangled Symphony
July 2, 3 and 4, gates open at 5 p.m., concert begins at 8 p.m, fireworks at dusk each night, Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, $31 adults, $12 kids,www.indianapolissymphony.org.
Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets, or reserve tables for this popular annual concert. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will perform patriotic favorites. Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture will have artillery accompaniment. A fireworks show concludes the evening.
Noblesville Fourth of July Festival
July 4, fireworks at 10 p.m., Noblesville High School, 18111 Cumberland Road, free,www.noblesvillefireworksfestival.com.
Noblesville’s Fourth of July festival starts with a parade at 5 p.m.; other activities such as a kids’ zone, car show, live music and food vendors will keep people occupied until the fireworks start at 10 p.m.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino/Hoosier Park Racing & Casino
July 3-4, Indiana Grand fireworks at 10 p.m. July 3, 4300 N. Michigan Road, Shelbyville, free, indianagrand.com; Hoosier Park fireworks at 10 p.m. July 4, 4500 Dan Patch Circle, Anderson, free, hoosierpark.com.
Indiana Grand and Hoosier Park know how to party, and when it comes to fireworks, the bigger the better. Indiana Grand’s daylong party will be July 3, while Hoosier Park’s is July 4. Each venue will send more than 10,000 shells and water firework effects into the air in these family-friendly events. Festivities begin at noon, including live racing, and the Willis Clan will perform in a free concert at 8:30 p.m.
Indianapolis Indians
July 4-5, Victory Field, 501 W. Maryland St., $12-$18, indyindians.com.
Enjoy a baseball game, followed by a spectacular fireworks show at Victory Field. But wait, there’s more! Game attendees can stay in their seats after the Indians’ fireworks display to watch the Regions Freedom Blast Downtown.
Back Home Again in Waldron
July 3-4, Waldron Elementary School, 306 S. East St., Waldron, email info@waldronwill.com, or search for Waldron Will on Facebook.
Even small towns do it up big for the Fourth of July. The tiny town of Waldron in Shelby County offers two days of fun with live entertainment both nights, a motorcycle stunt show, classic car show, home run derby, community parade, games and the grand finale — a fireworks show just after 10 p.m. July 4.
