7 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July

Looking for something to do this 4th of July? Locals have always been patriotic when it comes to participating in July 4th activities, and now you can join in on the fun, too! Put on your red, white, and blue attire and start waving those American flags because the 4th of July is almost here!

Celebration of America

Head to Hazel Ruby McQuain Park on July 4 to help them celebrate our nations independence from 6:30PM-10:30PM! Thanks to the sponsorship and efforts of the City of Morgantown, Citizen’s Bank of Morgantown, Mon Health, several community members, and multiple other sponsors, Mountaineer Country can enjoy live music performances and a firework display for free.

The park will open to the public at 5PM and the festivities will kick off at 6:30PM with the Tim Litvin Band, food trucks, face painting and more. Stay the whole time and you’ll have the opportunity to see The Motown Strutters and The Edge perform!

Watch Fireworks

Hazel Ruby McQuain Park will be concluding the July 4th festivities with fireworks starting at 10PM. Come early to enjoy live music and good food in Downtown Morgantown.

Taylor County residents can enjoy their own fireworks display in Grafton, courtesy of Taylor County Fireworks. The display will be scheduled for Saturday, July 2 at 10PM and will be visible anywhere you can see the cell tower. Check their Facebook for more updates and information.

Palatine Park is the place to be for this year’s early 4th of July Fireworks Display in Fairmont. Fireworks will start at 10PM on Saturday, July 2. Enjoy live music hosted by  The Almost Brothers, Our Famous Local Allman Brothers Tribute, Second Helping, and The American Lynyrd Skynyrd Show.

Listen to Live Music

High Ground Brewing in Preston County will be hosting their annual Independence Day Celebration, featuring Greg Short & Friends from 4PM-7PM. Stop by earlier in the day for family-friendly food by Curbside Concoctions, beer-tasting, and face painting by Paint Me Pretty+ LLC for kids and adults!

Celebrate American roots at the Dream Mountain Ranch Bluegrass Festival, taking place June 30 through July 3 at Dream Mountain Ranch in Albright, WV. Enjoy live performances by, Larry Keel, Kyle Tuttle, EmiSunshine, and many more. Each ticket purchase includes a basic camping spot with upgrades available at higher tiers. Early Bird, General Admission and VIP packages available.

Staying in town? Extend your Independence Day celebrations with a live performance by The Hillbilly Gypsies taking place at Mason Dixon Historical Park on July 9 from 6PM to 8:30PM. This performance is a part of their Summer Concert Series, so be sure to mark your calendar for more upcoming events.

Relax on the Water

Take your family or friends to Tygart Lake Marina for historic boat tour aboard the “Princess Cruise.” Head to Krepps or Marilla Park for a day by the pool or rent a boat, kayaks, canoes, or paddle boats and enjoy time on the water at Cheat Lake. If you enjoy fishing, there are several fishing areas in Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties, or be adventurous by whitewater rafting on the Cheat River.

Spend your July 4 weekend floating down Tygart Lake with the Taylor County Adventure Club. Their free lazy river is the perfect way to relax on the weekend, schedule a trip Wednesday through Saturday at 11AM or Sunday at 2PM. Message them on Facebook to schedule your trip, it fills up fast!

Reach out to Padlz Canoe & Kayak Rentals to reserve your timeslot for smooth sailing in Bruceton Mills. Appointments can be made on their Facebook page or over the phone and are decided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Find the perfect spot for you by visiting our Just Add Water guide.

Plan a Cookout

A 4th of July cookout is always more fun while camping! Camp at one of Visit Mountaineer Country’s many campgrounds for a weekend of grilling and outdoor activities. You can also host a cookout at one of the parks that provide picnic areas and allow grilling.

Let someone else take care of the cooking! Many great restaurants in Mountaineer Country offer outdoor seating and 4th of July specials, check out some of our Mountaineer Deal partners that will make your experience memorable!

Need catering for a large event? Check out our list of  Mountaineer Country Restaurants that Cater and explore your options for delicious food.

Get a Workout In

Looking for an easy morning walk? Nestled between Morgantown and Cheat Lake, the West Virginia Botanical Garden provides an oasis from city life with over 4-miles of of trails through shaded hemlock and hardwood forest.

Participate in a 4-mile run or walk with Morgantown Running for their July 4th Road Race. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female runners, along with winners picked from random drawings. A one-mile run for kids will also be held.

Head to the Mylan Park Aquatic Center to swim a few laps in the Olympic-sized competition pool or enjoy a bit of relaxing open swim in the community pool.

Get outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty around town! Take a hike at Coopers Rock State Forest and stop by the newly installed swing to take a picture.

Family Fun 

Visit Pricketts Fort, located in Fairmont, WV on July 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for their Independence Day Celebration. After listening to a full reading of The Declaration of Independence, go take in the historical significance of the fort. Then, experience 18th-century life through a child’s eyes and return on July 13 for their Colonial Kids Day from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be fun, educational activities for the kiddos throughout the day. (Kids must be accompanied by an adult.)

Cheer on the West Virginia Black Bears as they take on the Frederick Keys on July 4 at 7:05pm at the Monongalia County Ballpark.

Head to the Terra Alta, WV Community Park for the Old Fashioned 4th of July in the Park, hosted by Terra Alta’s Volunteer Fire Department. Come celebrate with crafters, food vendors, handmade items, and bounce houses!

Join Mylan Park for fun, food, giveaways and games! Head over to the area between the Mon County Center and the Hazel & J.W. Ruby Community Center on July 2 for their Freedom Day event. They will be offering a variety of different activities including bounce houses, petting zoos, emergency vehicle show, and so much more! Looking to continue the fun? Stick around for an American Legion Baseball game taking place at Anker Field complex, or cool off with half-price swimming & splashing at The Aquatic Center and Splash Pad and enjoy a post-swim showing among the mountains of Captain America: Civil War.

Keep checking back for additional events and activities as we get closer to the 4th of July!

Share your 4th of July fun with us by using #VisitMountaineerCountry and #MountaineerCountryYes on your social posts for a chance to be featured!

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