4th of July in Ridgefield

If you’ve never come to Ridgefield on the 4th of July, this would be a good year to start. It’s truly a slice of old-time Americana, with events scheduled all day long.

Festivities start off at 7:00 am with a pancake breakfast put on by the Firefighters Association at the Community Center. Pancakes, bacon or sausage, juice, and coffee start the day off right. The breakfast runs until 10:00.

At 8:00 am the Fun Runs begin. There are 5k ($15/ $25 with tech shirt) and 10k ($20 / $30 with tech shirt) runs. Cost on the day of the race is an additional $5. Go to http://www.runridgefield.com/Run_Registration_Form.pdf to register for a run.

The Pet and Kid Pre-Parade meets at 10:15 am at the corner of Pioneer Street and Main Avenue and splits to go both directions on the parade route. There’s free admission and no registration – just bring the kids.

The Fourth of July Parade starts at 11:00 am at North 4th Avenue and Division Street, turns south on Main, then east on Pioneer to North 8th Street. The theme this year is “American Music, and there will be floats, vintage tractors and fire engines, marching groups, muscle cars etc. etc.

Parking fills early, so plan to arrive before 10:00.

The Lions Club puts on a chicken and salmon barbeque at Abram’s Park after the parade until 3:30. You can park at Abrams after the parade is over if you don’t want to walk down the hill.

There will be activities for kids at Refuge Overlook Park after the parade until 6:00, including face painting, a creature feature, small stage entertainment, children’s inflatables and more. A $5 wrist band for the kids includes all activities for all day. Free entertainment in Overlook Park after the parade with Opus School of Music playing at 12:30 and The Cellar Rats playing at 2:30. The Pie eating contest is at 4:30 at the Main Stage in Overlook Park. Limited number of entrants, sign up the day of.

There will also be food, drink, and craft vendors along the city streets from noon until 6:00.

The Coaster Derby racers check in at 1:30 at 5th Avenue and Simon, and the races start at 2:00. Coaster cars are gravity propelled derby racers! Build your own with your kid or friend.
Free to all ages – Click here for derby car and race rules. And remember…if you’re not first, you’re last! (Come to the race to find out what this means!)

High Fidelity will provide music for a street dance on South Main Avenue from 6 – 10:00. All ages are invited and there’s no charge.

The fun-filled day ends with a free fireworks display, location to be announced the day of the parade.

So come to downtown Ridgefield and help celebrate the 4th of July in our little town.