Ashland Ready To Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday With Parade, Monument Dedication, Birthday Cake And Historic Fireworks Show

Ashland Ready To Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday With Parade, Monument Dedication, Birthday Cake And Historic Fireworks Show

ASHLAND — Ashland is getting ready to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in a big way, and Mayor Matt Miller said the city is preparing for a full day of patriotism, history, family fun and red, white and blue memories on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

From a downtown parade, to the dedication of a historic Freedom Monument, to birthday cake at Freer Field and the largest fireworks show in Ashland County’s history, the community is preparing for a celebration that will be remembered for generations.

“Our big America Celebrates 250 Years celebration takes place this Saturday, July 4,” Mayor Miller said. “We do have details we want to share with everyone.”

The day will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the America’s 250th Birthday Bash Parade, sponsored by the Ashland County Community Foundation.

According to Mayor Miller, the parade will use the same general format as Ashland’s Christmas parade. The route will begin at Ashland University on Claremont Avenue, travel down Claremont Avenue to Corner Park, then turn east onto Main Street and continue to Union Street.

“All of the places that you are used to standing or sitting or parking for the Christmas parade, you will be able to park and stand in all of those same places for the July 4th parade,” Miller said.

The parade is expected to include around 40 entries, and while it may be shorter than the Christmas parade, Miller said it will still be a fantastic red, white and blue celebration.

The parade will also be livestreamed on the City of Ashland Facebook page and the city’s YouTube page for those who cannot attend in person.

Also returning this year is Ashland’s beloved Push ‘Em Pull ‘Em Parade, featuring kids, and kids at heart, decorating bikes, strollers, wagons and scooters in patriotic style.

Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. in front of Substance Church, located at 101 South Street, with the parade beginning at 10:00 a.m. This year, Push ‘Em Pull ‘Em participants will travel east down South Street to Claremont Avenue, where they will join the larger America’s 250th Birthday Bash Parade.

Both parades will still take place, but the Push ‘Em Pull ‘Em Parade will be funneled into the larger 250th Birthday Bash Parade.

Children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets and safety gear are recommended for children riding bicycles, skateboards and scooters. Large motorized vehicles, including mopeds, motorized skateboards and motorcycles, are not allowed, though small electric cars are permitted.

Following the parade, the celebration will continue at 2:00 p.m. in the Pump House District with the dedication of Freedom Park and a historic Freedom Monument.

Mayor Miller said the dedication ceremony will take place on Fourth Street between Union Street and Orange Street.

The monument dedication will honor America’s founding principles and serve as a lasting symbol of liberty for future generations. The ceremony will also recognize the men and women who have served in the United States military.

“We’re very fortunate to have over 250 veterans who are going to join us,” Miller said.

Mayor Miller noted that not every veteran will be able to be part of the formation, and that is completely understandable. Veterans who may need a cane, walker or assistance, or who cannot walk long distances, will still have seating available up front. No registration is needed for that seating.

“We appreciate your willingness to come and join us for a very meaningful ceremony,” Miller said.

Miller said the ceremony will include some unique surprises and described the new monument as incredible.

“We’re going to be making history,” Miller said. “It’s hard not to stand there and be humbled by the fact that our United States military, all of the branches, these men and women have made our freedom possible for us to enjoy today.”

Parking changes will be in place for the monument dedication. Mayor Miller said Union Street is expected to close at noon at 8th Street and become a one-way street so people can park on both the east and west sides of Union Street.

Those attending the dedication may also park in the Job and Family Services parking lot, along Fourth Street by entering from Cottage Street, and on side streets in the area where available.

Anyone wanting to park along Union Street should enter from Main Street and turn north onto Union Street. Public safety officials will help park vehicles on both sides heading north. Traffic will not be able to travel south on Union Street starting at noon until after the ceremony.

The celebration will then move to Freer Field, where the America’s 250th Birthday Party and Fireworks Celebration, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ashland, will get underway.

Mayor Miller said activities at Freer Field are expected to kick off around 5:30 p.m. with food trucks and trailers, similar to BalloonFest. A food tent will also be available so guests can enjoy their meals.

Cars will be able to pull in and park like they do for Ashland fireworks shows, creating what Miller described as a giant patriotic tailgate party.

Live music will also be part of the evening. Tom’s Kitchen Table is expected to open the night, followed by Rare Vintage for the second half of the evening.

Mayor Miller encouraged families to be at Freer Field no later than 9:15 p.m. because of a planned pre-show, including a video presentation for the crowd.

But the birthday party fun begins even earlier.

Miller said that around 8:00 p.m., birthday cake will be passed out to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

“That’s right, birthday cake,” Miller said. “We’re going to have a birthday party. We’re going to have birthday cake. We’re going to have candles and we’re all going to sing happy birthday to America.”

The city will have approximately 3,000 pieces of birthday cake available, so families who want to take part are encouraged to arrive shortly after 8:00 p.m.

“I think you will find that it’ll be very memorable for all of us, but especially for your children to be there and make a wish for America,” Miller said.

As the evening builds toward the grand finale, WRDL will help bring the celebration to life with the WRDL July 4th Fireworks Celebration.

Listeners can tune in live on 88.9 WRDL, WRDLFM.com, or through the free WRDL app.

The live radio show will begin at 9:00 p.m., followed by the fireworks and synchronized soundtrack at 9:30 p.m.

Mayor Miller said the fireworks themselves are expected to begin at 10:00 p.m., with the Rotary Club of Ashland bringing the largest fireworks show in Ashland County’s history to Freer Field.

“We are going to celebrate America’s birthday in style here, the red, white and blue, 250 years, at that wonderful birthday party out on Freer Field,” Miller said.

As for weather, Miller said a little rain may not change many plans, but severe weather could lead to decisions from local officials. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned to social media for updates if weather becomes a concern.

“If there’s severe weather, then you’ll just have to stay tuned in and our local officials will make the decision and call as to whether or not we need to make changes,” Miller said.

Anyone with questions may contact the mayor’s office or reach out to the city for more information.

From children proudly riding decorated bikes downtown, to more than 250 veterans helping dedicate a monument to freedom, to families singing happy birthday to America before fireworks light up the Ashland sky, the city’s America’s 250th Birthday Bash promises to be a celebration packed with community pride, patriotism and history.

Ashland knows how to celebrate Independence Day, and in 2026, the city is preparing to celebrate not just another Fourth of July, but America’s 250th birthday in unforgettable fashion.

Mayor Miller said the primary sponsor for the day’s celebrations is Ashland Elks Lodge #1360