A favorite annual tradition, Champaign-Urbana’s Fourth of July parade is returning for the first time since 2019
The full day of celebrations will also include the return of the 5K run/walk and will once again feature fireworks at the end of the evening
Event organizers have shared on Facebook that this year’s Fourth of July celebration in Champaign-Urbana is going to be back with all of our favorite events in 2022!
Last year, we were thrilled to have the community’s fireworks display return for the Fourth of July but we certainly still felt nostalgic for memories of spending all day somewhere along Kirby or Florida, enjoying the hours-long parade and maybe even starting our day with a 5K. Now we can look forward to the trifecta of Fourth of July fun happening once again.
5K and parade make their return for the first time since 2019
The Champaign County Freedom Celebration announced the community will hold the usual lineup of Fourth of July fun in Champaign-Urbana this summer. The day begins with a 5K run/walk and youth run, during which you will already see people setting up prime viewing spots for the parade that begins later that morning. The parade, which lasts several hours and is held in partnership with the Champaign-Urbana Jaycees, features all of the parade favorites like fire trucks, marching bands and usually even some inflatables. Yes, there is candy, too!
The parade typically begins near First and Kirby in Champaign and heads east on Florida — if you’re new to C-U, Kirby and Florida are actually the same street — before turning north on Lincoln.
Fireworks at dusk
Later in the evening, we can look forward to the fireworks display set to music at dusk. And while the entire schedule for the day has not yet been announced, in years past the hours leading up to fireworks have often featured live music and other fun around Memorial Stadium.
More information
The theme for this year’s celebration (spanning morning through evening) is “Renewing the Spirit of America.”
The annual Fourth of July celebration was first held in 1949. For more information, visit the website or follow on Facebook.
Check back SOON for the growing-by-the-day list of ways to celebrate the Fourth of July in Champaign-Urbana. We can’t wait!
