Independence Day is a time to celebrate the United States’ independence from Britain. Many people share the day with family and friends, with barbecues, pool parties, days at the beach and fireworks. This year, there are many options where you can celebrate July 4th and ring in independence.
Downtown Milford Inc. is excited to bring its first Picnic in the Park event on Friday, July 4. The event is held entirely in Bicentennial Park, one of the monthly First Friday events put on by the organization.
“We will have vendors, food trucks, yard games and more starting at 5 PM,” Sade Truiett, Downtown Milford Coordinator, said. “We have DJ Dave spinning tunes starting at 5 PM and at 7 PM, the Funsters take the stage. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, kick back and enjoy some music and dancing in the park until 9 PM.”
Although there will not be fireworks at this event, Truiett hopes the event will grow to include them in the future.
During the day, First State Heritage Park in Dover will celebrate with the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State House as well as historical interpretations and live music on The Green. The Johnson Victrola Museum will offer patriotic tunes on one of their Victor Talking Machines. The Biggs Museum is offering free admission from 10 AM to 5 PM with families creating patriotic-themed art from 11 AM to 2 PM.
There will be craft and food vendors around Legislative Mall with DJ Giz playing from 4 to 7 PM followed by the US Army Field Band and Six-String Soldiers. A parade will begin at Hazel Street at 6 PM, head south on State Street and end at Water Street. At 8 PM, there will be a C-17 flyover followed by remarks from the mayor before fireworks begin at around 9:15 PM.
For those who prefer to head to the beach, Lewes will continue a tradition of hosting old-school children’s games on Second Street starting at 9 AM. The Lewes Independence Boat Parade begins at 1:30 PM with the boats leaving Rosevelt Inlet and making their way to the reviewing stand at Fisherman’s Wharf by 2 PM. The awards ceremony will be held on the deck of the Lightship Overfalls at 3:30 PM.
The Doo-Dah Parade starts near Lloyds Market on Savannah Road and the evening ends with fireworks from a barge off Savannah Beach at dusk.
The Delaware State Fire Marshal reminds all citizens that fireworks can cause serious injury or death. In Delaware, only sparklers and ground-based fireworks are permitted and only on certain dates, including July 4. They suggest attending a professional fireworks show rather than creating one of your own. In 2024, there were approximately 135 firework-related incidents with 32 resulting in structure fires, causing over $760,000 in damage. Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 had the highest rate of emergency visits due to fireworks injuries.
