BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington residents and visitors can celebrate Independence Day with a weekend of community traditions, outdoor recreation, local food, live music, and family-friendly activities. Most activities are free and open to the public.
Start the day on July 4 at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. outside Bloomington City Hall, 401 N. Morton St. Shop for locally grown produce, meats, flowers, and baked goods, enjoy food from local vendors, and listen to live music by local performers.
The annual Fourth of July Parade and concert by the Bloomington Community Band also takes place on July 4. The Bloomington Community Band plays at the Monroe County Courthouse, 100 W. Kirkwood Ave., at 9 a.m. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of 10th Street and College Avenue. The parade travels south on College Avenue, east on Kirkwood Avenue, and north on Walnut Street before ending at the intersection of 10th Street and Walnut Street.
The Bloomington Community Band performance and the Fourth of July Parade may be delayed or cancelled for safety in the event of extreme weather. Call 812-349-3754 for schedule updates.
Street Closures, Market Access, and Parking
Morton Street, College Avenue, Walnut Street, and portions of Kirkwood Avenue will close beginning at 7 a.m. July 4 for parade staging and operations. Surface parking lots surrounding the Market will be used for parade staging and are not available for Market customer parking. Visitors may also access the Market from Rogers Street and by foot or bicycle via the B-Line Trail.
Street and garage parking are free on July 4.
- Morton Street Garage, 220 N. Morton St.
- Fourth Street Garage, 105 W. 4th St.
- Trades District Garage, 489 W. 10th St.
Accessible parking for the Farmers’ Market is located on the west side of City Hall, in the parking area north of the Market. Directional signage will be posted to guide visitors to accessible parking and market entrances.
More Ways to Enjoy the Fourth of July Weekend
Cool off after the parade with Open Swim Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 4. Admission is free at Bryan Park Pool, 1020 S. Woodlawn Ave., and Mills Pool, 1100 W. 14th St. The Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St, is open for free water play from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
In the event of inclement weather, call the Splash & Skate Hotline at 812-349-3741 to check the open status of Bryan Park Pool, Mills Pool, and the Community Foundation Switchyard Plaza Spray Pad.
Rent a boat or hike the trails at Griffy Lake, play a round at Cascades Golf Course, or fit in a workout at Twin Lakes Recreation Center on July 4.
- Cascades Golf Course, 3550 N. Kinser Pike: – 812-349-3764
- Griffy Lake Boathouse (8 a.m.-8 p.m.), 3400 N. Headley Rd. – 812-349-3732
- Twin Lakes Recreation Center, (7 a.m.-1 p.m.), 1700 W. Bloomfield Rd. – 812-349-3720
Keep the holiday weekend going on July 5 at Bryan Park with free, back-to-back musical performances by Big Dog and the Jason Wells Band beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an evening of live music in the park.
Whether you’re cheering on the parade, swimming with friends, paddling and hiking at Griffy Lake, hearing live music, playing a round of golf, or shopping at the Farmers’ Market, Bloomington offers plenty of opportunities to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend close to home.
