LEXINGTON — More of Lexington's Fourth of July events will return in 2021, Mayor Linda Gorton announced Friday. While they'll be held on Saturday, July 3, residents can plan for fireworks, the Bluegrass 10,000 and a twist on the Patriotic Concert.

What You Need To Know

  • More of Lexington's Fourth of July events will return in 2021

  • The events will be held Saturday, July 3

  • Residents can plan on fireworks, the Bluegrass 10,000 and more this year

  • Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. July 3

“Thanks to the 150,000 Lexington people who have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, we can open up our community to larger celebrations,” Gorton said.

With a new partnership started in 2019, R.J. Corman will again host the launch site of the fireworks show.

“We are very grateful to R. J. Corman, which has consistently stepped up to allow our fireworks display to be in the heart of our downtown,” Gorton said.

“We are so excited to work with Mayor Gorton’s office, the City of Lexington, and the Parks & Recreation Department again to present the 2021 Independence Day fireworks. Although we have faced many challenges as a country and in our community in the past year, we still can celebrate our great nation and the freedoms we enjoy. As the pandemic fades, we have a renewed appreciation of freedom, and I'm glad R. J. Corman Railroad Company can, once again, partner with the city to provide the launch site for the fireworks,” said Ed Quinn, president and CEO of R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC.

The fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. July 3, and people are encouraged to come downtown and park for free in the Central Bank Center parking lot off High Street, bring a chair and enjoy the show. Those who haven't been fully vaccinated should wear a mask.

If you're looking for something more active, the Bluegrass 10,000 and Fun Run will return to in-person racing July 3, the 45th year of the race. Due to recent public health guidelines, limitations on participants have been lifted.

At the finish line of the race, the Bryan Station and Frederick Douglass High School marching bands will perform.

A Bluegrass 10,000 virtual race can also be completed using the RaceJoy app.

Planning for the traditional Fourth of July Festival and Parade usually begins early in the year, and at that time, public health guidelines did not allow a traditional parade and festival.