City to celebrate 'All American Fourth of July'

James Mayse, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
·2 min read

The city of Owensboro will again celebrate Independence Day with fireworks displays across the city, when the “All American Fourth of July” returns.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, along the Owensboro riverfront in Smothers Park. The evening will culminate with fireworks launched from four locations across the city, including at the riverfront.

Downtown events director Tim Ross said the evening includes music by the Downtown Band from Nashville. According to the group’s website, the band plays a wide variety of styles, such as Motown, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, country and big band music, among others.

“We always get a great response from their energy, so we brought them back this year,” Ross said.

Veterans Boulevard will be lined with food trucks for the event, which typically attracts thousands of people to the river, Ross said.

The fireworks displays start at 9:15 p.m. City residents who want to stay home will be able to see fireworks launched from the other three sites. In addition to the riverfront, fireworks will also be launched from the Owensboro Sportscenter/Moreland Park, from the Southern Little League fields on South Griffith Avenue, and from Owensboro Warehouse Leasing, the former GE facility on Old Harford Road.

The launch sites will be closed to the public.

Ross said the city began using multiple launch sites in 2020.

“The concept is you can be in your neighborhood and enjoy the fireworks if you don’t want to come to the riverfront party,” Ross said. The cost of the fireworks displays is about $50,000, Ross said.

“We started during Covid, when we weren’t allowed to have big gatherings,” Ross said. “The response to the mayor and city commissioners is (people) really enjoy it.”

A soundtrack to the choreographed fireworks will be available that night at WBKR, 92.5 FM, according to a city press release.

The event is presented by Meijer.

In a prepared statement, city Mayor Tom Watson said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with our community and provide multiple locations for everyone to enjoy the fireworks again this year. Thank you to all our sponsors for making this event possible. As we gather to enjoy the festivities, I encourage everyone to celebrate safely and responsibly.”