{"id":98894199,"date":"2018-06-26T17:27:08","date_gmt":"2018-06-26T21:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/?p=98894199"},"modified":"2025-05-26T09:10:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T13:10:53","slug":"5-unique-independence-day-celebrations-you-should-attend-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/5-unique-independence-day-celebrations-you-should-attend-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Offbeat Independence Day Celebrations You Should Attend This Year!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Barbecues, fireworks, booze &#8212; what else does one do on the 4th of July? It&#8217;s a great time to pack your bags up for a last-minute trip, but where do you go to celebrate? Ditch the\u00a0thought of taking a basic vacation\u00a0to a popular destination for the holiday and celebrate Independence Day in a new way! We&#8217;ve gathered some of the most unique 4th of July celebrations across the US for you to attend this year!<\/p>\n<h2>Williamsburg, Virginia<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-98894209\" src=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-2.jpg\" alt=\"4th of July celebration\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-2-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-2-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-2-810x486.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For the history buffs interested in having some\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/flights\/independence-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4th of July fun<\/a>, this is the place for you! While in Williamsburg, Virginia, for the holiday, take part in celebrations by listening to live music, eating, drinking, and ending the night with a firework show. Head over to the Market House to join in on some colonial games, and if interested, listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence. There\u2019s fun for the entire family here so there&#8217;s no need to worry if the kids will be bored. The Williamsburg Lodge\u00a0in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/virginia-va-united-states-deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Virginia<\/a> holds a celebration for families including dinner, games, and front row seats to the firework show. But, if you\u2019re making this an adult-only trip, attend the King\u2019s Arms Tavern Thomas Jefferson Wine Dinner! The dinner includes a 4-course meal, a history lesson, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.<\/p>\n<h2>Bend, Oregon<\/h2>\n<p>Watermelon eating contests, relay races, music, and how can we forget the pet parade! The party doesn\u2019t stop in Bend, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/oregon-or-united-states-deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oregon <\/a>on the 4th of July! This town celebrates with all &#8212; pets included. In fact, the Bend Park &amp; Recreation District Pet Parade (started in the 1930s) continues to take place on Independence Day with both kids and pets dressed in costumes. Don\u2019t miss out on watching the fireworks launched from the top of the volcano, Pilot Butte, and can be seen from anywhere in town with a view of Pilot Butte. You can keep busy for the day at the annual Lion\u2019s Club Pancake Breakfast followed by the day festival with live music, food, games, and contests. So, gear up in your best red, white, and blue for a massive celebration!<\/p>\n<h2>Sonoma, California<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-98894210\" src=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-3.jpg\" alt=\"4th of July celebration\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-3-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-3-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-3-810x486.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Wine country and fireworks &#8212; can we ask for anything more? The holiday celebration here includes a parade with marching bands, a carnival, and bright booming fireworks. And, while in Sonoma, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/california-ca-united-states-deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">California<\/a>, stopping for some wine tasting is a must! Grab a seat at Charles Creek Vineyard or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adoberoadwines.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adobe Road Winery<\/a> &#8212; both of which are right next to the parade. The festival held by Sonoma\u2019s nonprofit community includes the usual food, games, and music; but what makes this a unique and worthwhile day of fun is that all proceeds go to the nonprofit community. The festival wraps up in the evening with a fireworks display.<\/p>\n<h2>Round Top, Texas<\/h2>\n<p>Take your boots to Round Top, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/texas-tx-united-states-deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Texas<\/a>, to spend the day celebrating! Start the 4<span style=\"font-size: 13.3333px;\">th<\/span> of July off right at the 168<sup>th<\/sup> annual parade starting at 10:30 a.m. and enjoy the floats made by the locals and live music, followed by a huge barbecue feast. After you\u2019re full, head to the <a href=\"http:\/\/roundtoprifle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Round Top Rifle Hall<\/a> to dance the night away. Oh, and did we fail to mention that this celebration is believed to be the oldest 4th of July parade West of the Mississippi?<\/p>\n<h2>Columbus, Ohio<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-98894211\" src=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-4.jpg\" alt=\"4th of July celebration\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-4-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-4-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/4th-of-july-4-810x486.jpg 810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Independence Day party begins in the early afternoon with concerts held throughout the city but, the Red, White, and BOOM Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at the riverfront, so be prompt! After the parade, head downtown to witness the Midwest\u2019s largest fireworks display starting at 10 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>Ever heard of the Doo Dah Parade? It\u2019s another parade held in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/cheap-flights\/columbus-cmh-ohio-deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Columbus <\/a>but it&#8217;s all about freedom of speech. The celebration includes music, activities, and humor to keep you smiling all day long! Notice the attendees and politicians dressed in funny costumes to speak their opinions.\u00a0You&#8217;ll notice the politicians by their crazy hats \u2013 they\u2019re required to wear them for the parade!<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Know of any other cool 4th of July celebrations? Tell us in the comments!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Barbecues, fireworks, booze &#8212; what else does one do on the 4th of July? It&#8217;s a great time to pack your bags up for a last-minute trip, but where do you go to celebrate? Ditch the\u00a0thought of taking a basic vacation\u00a0to a popular destination for the holiday and celebrate Independence Day in a new way! [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":98894208,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[501],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98894199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trending"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98894199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98894199"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98894199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98924714,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98894199\/revisions\/98924714"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98894208"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98894199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98894199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onetravel.com\/going-places\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98894199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}