July 4th Events

Schedule subject to change.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Sidewalk Chalk Art

Location: Athens County Courthouse, Uptown Athens

Join others in a Patriotic chalk challenge. Create a patriotic theme on a square of the pavement around the Athens County Courthouse. Chalk provided.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Patriotic Bike Parade

Location: Jaeger Funeral Home, 24 Morris Avenue, Near East Side, Athens

Kids ages 5-12 (with parents welcome as chaperones) are encouraged to decorate their bikes, scooters, and wagons for a patriotic bike parade! The parade will begin assembling at 9:00 AM at Jaeger Funeral Home on Morris Avenue. Parade coordinators, Lynne Genter and Jessica Cyders will be on site.

The parade will step off from Morris Avenue and travel along East State Street, Carpenter Street, and Court Street before ending in front of the Southeast Ohio History Center on West State Street, eventually ending at the Southeast Ohio History Center (24 W. State Street). 

Commemorative water bottles will be provided to the first 250 participants.

12:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Bell Ringing & the Declaration of Independence

Location: Athens City Hall, Uptown Athens

At noon, bells will ring at Athens City Hall in recognition of Independence Day, followed at 12:05 PM by a public reading of the Declaration of Independence from the stage located at the intersection of Court Street and W. State Street.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Hot Dog Eating Contest

Location: Main Stage (Court Street & West State Street), Uptown Athens

Competitive eaters will take center stage at 1:00 PM during the Hot Dog Eating Contest hosted by Larry’s Dawg House at the main stage at Court Street & West State Street.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Historic Games Competition

Location: Southeast Ohio History Center, 24 W. State Street, Uptown Athens

Families can enjoy historical games and activities beginning at 2:00 PM at the Southeast Ohio History Center, located at 24 West State Street. Individuals and families can compete for prizes inspired by traditional American pastimes.

Light refreshments will be provided and visitors are also encouraged to sign a commemorative banner.

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Boxing Exhibition

Location: Main Stage (Court Street & West State Street), Uptown Athens

Hard Knocks and Sam’s Gym will present a community boxing exhibition on the main stage at Court Street and West State Street. This event will open with the National Anthem and remarks from Olympic Gold Medalist, Gwyneth Philips.

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Community Picnic on the Green

Location: College Green, Ohio University, Athens

The celebration continues into the evening with a Community Picnic on College Green from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, providing an opportunity for friends, families, and neighbors to gather and celebrate together. There will be live music performances on College Green by Bruce and Gay Dalzell will play (4:00 PM) and Rylee Bapst Band (5:00 PM).

Bring your chairs and blankets.

7:00 PM - 10:45 PM

Live Music

Location: Main Stage (Court Street & West State Street), Uptown Athens

To cap off the day of fun, additional live music performances take to the main stage at the intersection of Court Street & West State Street from 7:00 PM until 10:45 PM.