Ready to celebrate the red, white and blue? Here's where to wave a flag, enjoy a fireworks show and celebrate with family and friends around Cortland County!
Summer is underway here in Cortland County, and that means it's time to start making plans for July 4th! Here we celebrate America's birthday with dazzling firework shows, patriotic festivities, historic programs, free concerts and more. Keep reading for the can't-miss Independence Day events in Cortland County!
CATCH A FIREWORKS SHOWIt isn’t a 4th of July celebration without fireworks, and in Cortland County there are great places to watch the sparks fly. The Annual Cortland County Independence Day Spectacular will take place on Saturday, July 3rd from 2-10 p.m. at Historic Dwyer Memorial Park. This year visitors will be treated to live entertainment starting at 2 p.m., delicious food vendors, and a firework show. Don’t forget to turn your radio to x101 Always Classic at dusk for the annual sky concert during the show.
Admission is free, with a $5 per car parking fee that will begin at 8 a.m. Rain date for the fireworks is July 4th. The annual Independence celebration is brought to you by Cortland County.
If you didn’t get your fireworks fix at Dwyer Memorial Park, the Town of Virgil will be holding their Hope Lake Park July 4th Fireworks Display at Hope Lake Park on Sunday, July 4. The park will open at 10:30 a.m. for families to enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming, and Dan the Snake Man will be onsite from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with a snake exhibit. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the fabulous fireworks display at dusk over the park’s beautiful lake.
HAVE FUN WITH HISTORY
This year’s Independence Day agenda includes a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Center for the Arts Homer on Sunday, July 4th. All are invited at 2 p.m. to listen to Charles W. Jermy Jr. and Charles W. Jermy III recount the circumstances that led up to the Declaration’s adoption in 1776 and talk briefly about its signers. Those in attendance will then be invited to read a short portion of the Declaration of Independence, following the reading, bells in the buildings surrounding the Homer Village Green will be rung 50 times.
With the temperatures rising, opt to cool down at one of the two watery oases in Cortland. You don't have to drive far to dust off your beach chairs and towels - Cortland has its very own sandy oasis only five minutes from historic downtown. Yaman Park is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and boasts a small pond with a swimming beach. There are spacious picnic areas with pavilions and grills if you're with a large group of family and friends, and if the water doesn't tire out the kiddos, the playground and skatepark will.
If you're looking for a little less sand, than the C.C. Wickwire Pool at Suggett Park is the spot for you. The swimming pool is open from Noon to 7 p.m., and has a separate toddler play area, as well as a Splash Pad. Within the park, there is a playground, two basketball courts, and a softball field. Regardless of where you choose to cool down, don't forget the sunscreen!
Put on your patriot best and join friends and neighbors at Homer Hops Brewing, Friday, July 2 at 6 p.m. for an evening of live tunes with local musician, Jess Novak. The Cortland Beer Co. stage will also host a variety of musicians throughout the weekend - follow them on Facebook for updates. Cortland County's newest restaurant, Heuga's Alpine Restaurant & Bar, will welcome The Caseway Giants on July 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
Check out the Experience Cortland events calendar for more live music options.
CATCH EVENING BASEBALLThere’s no better way to celebrate the United States’ birthday than enjoying America’s favorite pastime! Bring your whole family to cheer on the Cortland Crush as the team takes on the Sherrill Silversmiths (July 2) and the Syracuse Salt Cats (July 3) at the Gutchess Lumbar Sports Complex. Every game will have fun specials for all fans.
All three ballgames begin at 6 p.m. Visit www.CortlandCrushBaseball.com for more information.
FOR A FULL LIST OF CORTLAND COUNTY HAPPENINGS, CHECK OUT THE EXPERIENCE CORTLAND EVENTS CALENDAR.