Reported by: Joseph McGill
Web Produced by: Jessica Noll
The city of Ft. Thomas will host a number of community events this Fourth of July.
The city’s annual parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. and its Fourth at the Fort festival will begin at noon.
The parade's grand marshal by recently retired barber and local icon Curvan T. “Smitty” Smith.
Among various other elected representatives, Senator Mitch McConnell will participate in this year’s parade. The parade will also boast the requisite local civic groups as well as a number of veteran and community organizations.
The Army Reserve’s 478th Engineer Battalion, who recently returned from Iraq in May, will also be honored.
The local YMCA’s Executive Director, Shane Ruffin is organizing the parade, but Ruffin, who is new to the city, emphasizes that it is undoubtedly a community event.
“I think it’s pretty cool to see something grassroots like this come together,” Ruffin said.
“There is an overwhelming sense of pride [in Ft. Thomas] that I’ve never seen in my life.”
The parade will stretch from the north side of the city to the south side. It will begin in front of Highlands High School and will end at Tower Park.
Following the parade, the community will host its annual Fourth at the Fort event. The party will begin at Tower Park immediately following the parade, and it will host a number of eateries and musical acts.
Local organizations such as the Highlands High School Robotics Club and Dance Team will perform demonstrations throughout the day. As well, the festival will have rides for children and a pet adoption booth.
Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.
Fourth at the Fort director Slo Gray is confident that the event will draw people from all over the Northern Kentucky region.
“I’ve received calls from people in Bellevue, Dayton, Cold Springs, Alexandria, Blue Ash, Loveland and Hebron,” said Gray.
“We like to say that [Fourth at the Fort] is where you come on the Fourth of July for a family reunion of friends.”
Proceeds from the event will go toward the construction of a new amphitheater and hillside in the park. Among other things, the hillside will have seating and will be handicap accessible.
Visit kypost.com July 4, for video coverage of Ft. Thomas’ annual parade.
For those staying in Northern Kentucky this Independence Day is packed with parades, events and fireworks. Here is some of what's going on around town.
Edgewood-stravaganza
7 p.m.: Concert by Red Idle at Freedom Park
Dusk: Fireworks show at Freedom Park
Florence
4 to 11:30 p.m.: Health Expo, Kid's Zone, raffles and rides at the Florence Government Center
6 p.m.: Florence Police Honor Guard and Florence Community Band will hold a "Salute to America"
7 p.m.: Concert by Retroactive at Florence Government Center
10 p.m.: Fireworks show at Florence Government Center
Fort Thomas
10:30 p.m.: Fireworks at Tower Park
Independence
3 p.m.: Parade
Dusk: Fireworks near Fire House
Newport
10 p.m.: Fireworks on the riverfront
