Ashland Lights Up the Sky: Community Packs Freer Field for Fireworks Spectacular
ASHLAND, OH – Ashland’s Independence Day celebration once again lit up the night sky — and the hearts of thousands — as the city gathered at Freer Field on Friday night to mark America’s 249th birthday with a dazzling fireworks display and hometown pride.
This year’s celebration, brought to the community by the Rotary Club of Ashland, the City of Ashland, and broadcast live by Ashland University’s WRDL 88.9 FM, transformed Freer Field into what Mayor Matt Miller proudly called a “big community tailgate party.”
With lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, and flags in hand, families and friends filled the field hours before the 9:45 p.m. show, as WRDL’s patriotic soundtrack blared across the park, synced to the fireworks.
“We want to say a special thank you to the Ashland County Park District for hosting us again this year,” said Mayor Miller. “And to the Rotary Club of Ashland — thank you for more than 40 years of bringing this amazing celebration to our city. Happy Birthday, America!”
Among the thousands gathered for the show was a first-time visitor from Gujarat, India — Tejas Upadhyay, who celebrated his very first Fourth of July in the U.S. donning a shirt that read “American to the Core.” Tejas and his family soaked in the festivities and even got the chance to meet Mayor Miller himself.
“I never expected something so big and beautiful,” Tejas said after shaking the mayor’s hand and snapping a photo. “This is an incredible experience for me and my family — we will never forget it.”
As the finale thundered overhead and the crowd erupted in cheers, the spirit of patriotism and community connection was unmistakable — proving once again that Ashland knows how to throw a birthday party for America.
