The City of Mount Vernon will commemorate this nation’s independence from Great Britain on Tuesday, July 4, culminating with a fireworks celebration shortly after dusk at Ariel-Foundation Park. The city shared details in the map below and also frequently asked questions that we shared on The Morning Thing on Thursday. Find all the details listed below.
What time will the streets close?
Streets will be closing at 4:00 p.m. at the following locations:
- Norton Street
- Woods Parkway westbound heading towards Harcourt Road
- Pittsburgh Avenue will be closed to through traffic beginning at 2:00 p.m. Local access only.
Park entrances will be open to the public at Madison Street, Pittsburgh Avenue and Harcourt
Road. Columbus Road will be closed to southbound traffic at 9:30 p.m. and will not reopen until the
park clears. The Lakes area gate at Madison will be closed at 10:00 p.m. Simultaneously, the
North Loop Path will be opened westbound, exiting at Harcourt Road.
Where can I park?
There is very limited first come-first served parking inside Ariel-Foundation Park. Parking is free
and can be found at a multitude of public lots downtown off Gay Street and at the high school.
When lots are full they will be closed. Depending on weather conditions, there may be back-in
parking on the grass along the roadway coming off Harcourt Road.
Will there be additional ADA parking available?
Limited ADA parking will be available inside the park. The Urton Clockhouse parking lot off
Pittsburgh Avenue by the Columbus Road entrance will be filled first. ADA parking will be on a first
come-first served basis at this limited-space lot. Once this parking lot is full, drivers will be directed
to the Schnormeier Event Center (SEC) parking area, where 20 ADA spots will be set aside on a
first come-first served basis. When this lot is full motorists will be directed to the lake area for
further options.
Will the timed public parking spaces be enforced?
Vehicles parked in timed public parking spaces will not be ticketed on July 4.
Can I reserve a spot in the park?
The Park National Pavilion can be reserved for up to 50 guests for $100 on a first come-first
served basis no later than June 27. Call 740-501-9293 to reserve.
What time is the free concert?
The SEC will be closed for sound checks and other related activities during the day. Doors will
open at 5:00 p.m. to allow people to enter and find seating with their own chairs. The concert
series will begin at 5:30 p.m. with openers McLennon, a Beatles tribute band, followed by the
Sirens Duo, an R&B-blues-country act, at 6:15 p.m. Headliners Parrots of the Caribbean, a Jimmy
Buffett tribute band, will take the stage at 7:00 p.m. The fireworks show will begin about 10:00 p.m.
Where are the restrooms?
Portable restrooms will be available on the west side of the SEC as well as on the north side of the
SEC parking lot, just west of the Urton Clockhouse, and outside of the Kiwanis Pavilion on the
lakeside as well as the public restrooms in the pavilion.
Will there be food trucks available?
A vast array of food trucks will be available on the east side of the SEC in the parking lot as well as
in the lakes area near the Kiwanis Pavilion and in the west area of the Urton Clockhouse. Food
trucks will be open at 4:00 p.m.
Where are the trash receptacles?
Please do your part to keep the park clean by disposing of all trash and recyclables in the trash
cans along the sidewalks in and around the park. There will be workers emptying trash barrels
throughout the day. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Can I bring food/picnic in the park?
Yes.
Can I barbecue in the park?
Bring your own barbecue, but not under any roof in the park. This will be strictly enforced by the
Mount Vernon Fire Department.
Can I bring alcohol to the event?
Alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the park or streets around the park. There will be a bar set up
inside the SEC where you can purchase adult refreshments from 5:00-9:30 p.m.
Can I bring fireworks?
Fireworks are prohibited in all City parks per Mount Vernon Codified Ordinances Chapter 1519.
Can I set up a canopy/umbrella?
Yes, except on the grassy area outside the SEC, within 15 feet of the wire fence, and absolutely
not on the concrete area.
When can I sit on the pavement of any road in or around the park?
Even with street closures no sitting on the pavement of paved roads in or around Ariel-Foundation
Park will be allowed.
Can I bring my dog to the fireworks show?
Bringing dogs to the fireworks is not recommended, as the sound of the fireworks usually scares
the dogs. If you do bring your dog, make sure it is kept on a leash at all times.
What measures will be taken for spectator safety during the fireworks?
Keep your seats; efforts will be made to turn off street lights just before the start of the show. To
ensure the safety of all spectators, please be seated no later than 9:45 p.m. and remain seated
until the show is over and the street lights have been turned back on. We expect a very energetic
and exciting finale!
How do I exit the park in my car?
Immediately after the fireworks show traffic can go out Pittsburgh Avenue towards Columbus
Road. Cones will be set to direct motorists either right (south) or left (north) on Columbus. Going
west on Pittsburgh motorists will have to make either a left (south) or right (north) turn on Harcourt
Road. Motorists exiting on North Madison Avenue will be required to turn left only, going into town.
The Center Lake Loop road will be opened at 10:15 p.m. for westbound traffic only towards
Harcourt Road. Exiting on Harcourt, motorists can turn left (south) or right (north). The Lakes Area
gate at Madison will be closed at 10:00 p.m. Exit from the Lakes Area can only be made via the
North Loop Path westward to Harcourt Road. Traffic markers will be out. All drivers exiting should
stay to the right of these markers.
We hope you have a great 4th of July weekend and a Happy (and safe) Independence Day celebration with those you love!
-The Morning Thing
