Lennox prepares for 43rd annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration

The City of Lennox will once again celebrate Independence Day with its annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July festivities, a community tradition that has brought residents and visitors together for more than four decades.

This year marks the 43rd Annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, scheduled for July 3-5, and comes during a historic year for the nation. America’s 250th birthday will culminate on Saturday, July 4, 2026, marking exactly 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Communities across the country are planning special observances, and Lennox’s longstanding Fourth of July celebration offers a fitting way to honor the nation’s semiquincentennial.

The local tradition dates back to 1984 when members of St. Magdalen Catholic Church organized a day of “Old Fashioned Fourth of July” activities and hoped it would become an annual event. Their vision quickly caught on, and the celebration has continued to grow over the years into one of Lennox’s signature events.

Today, the celebration is sponsored by the Lennox Commercial Club and attracts thousands of visitors from throughout the region for a weekend filled with entertainment, family activities, food, music and patriotic pride.

This year’s festivities begin Friday, July 3, with Cruise Night and family fun activities on Main Street starting at 5:30 p.m. The evening continues with the annual Street Dance on North Main Street beginning at 7:30 p.m. Food trucks will be available inside the gate, and the popular regional band 32 Below is scheduled to take the stage at 9 p.m. The dance will continue until 1 a.m.

Saturday’s activities begin early with the Firecracker Fun Run. Registration will take place at 7 a.m. at the Lennox Intermediate School, with the run beginning at 8 a.m.

One of the celebration’s most anticipated events, the annual Fourth of July Parade, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Participants will line up at the Sports Complex near the intersection of Highway 17 and Highway 44 before making their way through town. Organizers remind residents that parking will not be permitted along the parade route.

Westerman Park will serve as the hub of activities throughout the day, featuring craft vendors, food vendors and live music from noon until 2:30 p.m. Children will have an opportunity to participate in the Kid Pedal Pull beginning at 1 p.m.

Car enthusiasts can enjoy the annual Car Show on Park Drive, which is free to participate in and includes awards. The show welcomes cars, motorcycles, tractors and trucks.

The Lennox Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., except during the parade. The Lennox Municipal Band will continue a cherished local tradition with a concert at 8 p.m. at the bandshell.

The celebration concludes Saturday evening with a fireworks display at dusk near Park Drive.

Activities continue Sunday, July 5, with a Community Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. in the park. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Visitors traveling to Lennox for the Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration should be aware of ongoing road construction and closures south of town. Construction began in April on a one-mile stretch of road from SD-44 (280th Street/Worthing exit) to SD-44 (279th Street near the Lennox football field), resulting in the closure of the roadway from Oriole Avenue to the southern portion of Highway 44. In addition, the intersection of 466th Avenue and 276th Street has been closed since April and is not expected to reopen until mid- to late August. Motorists are encouraged to follow posted detour signs when traveling into Lennox and review the published detour map before making their trip to the celebration.