4th of July Events: Where to Watch Fireworks and Celebrate Locally

Issue #485

July 03, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Weather - Sunshine and clouds, high of 89 & low of 66

🇺🇸 4th of July Events: Where to Watch Fireworks and Celebrate Locally

📰 Budget Committee Debates Future of Senior Center at Maury County Park

📌 July 14: Grant Writing Workshop

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

👉 Your Guide to Summer Camps & Kids Activities in July! 

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

4th of July Events: Where to Watch Fireworks and Celebrate Locally

Maury County’s Independence Day celebrations are packed with fun — from fireworks to music to family-friendly parades — and there’s something for everyone happening all weekend long.

The main event returns to Maury County Park, where the annual fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 4. The park is located at 108 Maury County Park Drive. Visitors are encouraged to come early, bring lawn chairs and blankets, and tune in to WKRM 87.9 FM for synchronized music during the show. Note that personal fireworks are not permitted in the park.

Downtown Columbia’s First Fridays will also take on a patriotic theme this month, with food trucks, vendors, live music, and a street festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Hosted in partnership with Columbia Noon Rotary, Columbia Breakfast Rotary, and the Kiwanis Club of Columbia, the event will include a Children’s Patriotic Bike Parade starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by a brief Fourth of July ceremony.

Just a few blocks from the square, Grinder’s Switch Winery (510 N. Garden St.) will keep the festivities going with a block party featuring music by Kiersi Joli.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, The Mulehouse will host an evening of jazz with local saxophonist Cord Martin. Martin, also the band director at Whitthorne Middle School, will perform a mix of jazz classics and original work from his album "Cord Progressions." The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets ($25–$30) are available here.

The Well Outreach’s Run for Hunger 5K in Spring Hill kicks off the day bright and early. Starting at 7 a.m. at Summit High School (2830 Twin Lakes Drive), the event includes a timed 5K, a kids’ bike parade, and a foam fun run. Race registration is $45 for adults, $25 for children, and proceeds support The Well’s hunger relief efforts. “Sleep-in” donation options are also available for those who prefer to support from home. Details can be found at TheWellOutreach.org.

Several nearby fireworks shows are scheduled across the region for those looking to keep the celebration going:

  • Chapel Hill’s annual 4th of July Celebration starts at 4:30 p.m. at Lions Club Field (111 NE Maple St.) with crafts, games, food vendors, and fireworks to cap off the evening.

  • Summertown Baptist Church (20 Ball Park Road) will host fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

  • Lewisburg’s Countryside Healthcare (3051 Buffalo Road) will host its fireworks show beginning at 6:30 p.m.

  • Mount Pleasant Independence Celebration & Fireworks Show (501 Gray Lane) is complete with food trucks, live music, splash pad and kids zone.

And if you want to head north to Franklin or Nashville, we’ve listed several events to choose from in the calendar 👇. Wherever you end up celebrating - we hope you have a wonderful time!

Budget Committee Debates Future of Senior Center at Maury County Park

Recent special-called meetings of the Maury County Budget Committee have focused heavily on the future of the aging Senior Center at Maury County Park. Discussions have included whether to renovate the existing structure, build a new community center, or possibly pursue both options over time.

Several committee members, parks staff, and residents expressed support for immediate renovations, citing long-standing issues with accessibility and basic infrastructure. The building, now 40 years old, predates the Americans with Disabilities Act and has only recently become subject to ADA compliance. Concerns include bathroom stalls that cannot accommodate wheelchairs or walkers, along with water pipes that are deteriorating and scheduled for replacement.

Some residents also pointed out that the center lacks adequate space for activities such as line dancing, card games, and pool. Broken HVAC units have reportedly made indoor temperatures uncomfortably high during the summer, prompting visitors to bring their own fans.

A proposal to address the most urgent issues—such as upgrading the bathrooms and HVAC systems—was met with skepticism by some commissioners. The estimated cost from Bell Construction ranged between $440,000 and $610,000, which some believed was too high given the building’s age and value. Several committee members argued the quote should be excluded from the budget until an open bidding process could provide a more accurate cost.

The Parks and Recreation Department noted that they have been following a master plan adopted in 2015, which prioritizes maintenance and selective renovations. However, the Parks Board has limited investments in certain aging structures unless necessary.

Some officials supported the idea of preserving the existing structure while considering a long-term plan for a larger, modern community center. Though that vision was described as financially out of reach at the moment, there was interest in including a placeholder in the budget to allow for competitive bidding, which could bring costs down.

Ultimately, the committee was encouraged to develop a clear and strategic plan before moving forward. Past quick decisions were cited as costly, and officials were advised to weigh long-term goals against immediate needs. With available funds that could cover part of the cost, some felt now could be the right time to take action.

July 14: Grant Writing Workshop

Join Maury Alliance on Monday, July 14 for a comprehensive Grant Writing Workshop for Nonprofits led by Patrick McElhiney, Director of Grants at Columbia State.

Whether you're new to grant writing or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop will provide valuable tools to help your organization successfully secure funding.

Patrick will walk you through the full grant process—from identifying opportunities to crafting compelling proposals—and even explore how AI can support your efforts.

Topics include:

    • Researching & Identifying Funding Opportunities

    • Understanding Grant Guidelines & Requirements

    • Planning, Research, and Proposal Development

    • Writing Tips & Using AI in the Process

    • Grant Submission, Follow-up & Implementation

This workshop is free to attend but space is limited! RSVP required

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, July 3rd

Friday, July 4th

Saturday, July 5th

Sunday, July 6th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

July 12: Maury County Sheriff’s Rodeo
July 26: The Awaken House 1 Year Birthday Party
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, July 3rd

Songwriters Round w/ George Forbis, Faith Groves & Lillie Kolich, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00-9:00 PM
Second Chance Bluegrass, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday, July 4th

Live Music, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Cross Bridges, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM 
Cord Martin, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Kiersi Joli, Grinder’s Switch, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Saturday, July 5th

Cross Bridges, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Howlin Embers, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Domine, The Mulehouse, 8:00 PM 
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday, July 6th

Bronwen Fair, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Little Secret, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk