How to Get Ready for 4th of July Festivities in Bedford, OH

If you love everything about Independence Day, from a backyard barbeque to a fireworks extravaganza, you might find the following guide useful. Cuyahoga County residents have plenty of local events and occasions to choose from to fire up their patriotic pride. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the 4th of July festivities around Bedford, Ohio.

Go Shopping at the July First Friday Event

Fourth of July licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 by Keri Logan

The Bedford Downtown Alliance presents the July First Friday: Party in the USA. The event takes place at Veterans Park on Broadway Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m. Join your friends and family downtown and kick off your Independence Day weekend with activities like extended shopping hours, sales, promotions, raffles, giveaways, games, prizes, and food.

The Bedford Downtown Alliance is a nonprofit organization that works to support the vitality of our historic town center. It promotes civic, economic, and commercial engagement with shops, dining, and family-friendly events throughout the year.

Bay Village Bay Day Carnival

If you have little ones in the family, head to Cahoon Memorial Park on Lake Road for the Bay Day Carnival. Bay Village hosts its kid-friendly 4th of July event each year. This festive occasion starts at noon on June 30th and runs until after the fireworks show three days later. There will be live music, carnival rides, community booths, and food.

Organizers of Bay Village’s outstanding gala bike, trike, and wagon parade invite children and their parents to dress up in patriotic attire and gather at the park’s gazebo. They’ll take a lap around the driveway and show off their red, white, and blue ensembles. Help your little ones prepare for a day they’ll never forget with an elaborate costume. Dressing up for the occasion is fun for kids and parents. Your kids will want to play, so make sure headbands, clips, and flags are easy to remove and opt for sneakers on their feet.

Consider getting to the park before 11:30 a.m., when everyone lines up for the parade. A Bay Village police officer will escort the children along the parade route for their safety. Your kids can plan to walk or ride their bikes, whatever works best for the family. Cahoon Park also offers a winter snow sledding hill and ice skating rink, a memorial rose garden, a skate park, and soccer fields. The city of Bay Village also offers seasonal youth soccer programs and tours of the historic 1818 Rose Hill Museum. 

Host a Backyard Barbeque

One of the best ways to get ready for the big fireworks show is to host an old-fashioned picnic for all your neighbors. Bedford residents can get in the spirit with a delicious holiday spread from BBQ Homestyle on Aurora Road. Its scrumptious offerings will please everyone at your party, and you can leave the cooking and the kitchen clean-up to this restaurant’s staff.

Have BBQ Homestyle’s expert pitmaster make your guests all their favorite classic 4th of July picnic dishes like ribs, jumbo shrimp, chicken wings, and fried okra. These hand-held and bite-sized goodies are easy for your friends to pop in their mouths, so you won’t need to stock up on plastic silverware. Place your order online and pick it up curbside to save time on the big day.

Go to a Concert in the Park

The Lakewood Project’s Fourth of July Concert is another way to get in the mood for America’s birthday party.  This free event takes place in Lakewood Park on Lake Avenue from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. You can stick around for the fireworks show or attend one of the other local displays.

The Lakewood Project is the world’s first high school’s classic rock orchestra. The group consists of a string orchestra, a traditional rock band, electric Viper violinists, and cello accompanists. The talented students play classical music creatively rearranged by the conductor in the style of rock ‘n’ roll. This holiday event represents the departing seniors’ final concert.

Bedford Heights’ Neighborhood Parade

The annual 4th of July neighborhood parade is one of Bedford Heights’ most cherished events. The procession starts at 10 a.m. at the corner of Columbus and Washington streets. The grand marshal will lead everyone as they make their way down Columbus to Perkins Road. The group could travel down your neighborhood street before it ends at City Hall. Listen for the sirens and come outside. You can watch the affair as it passes by and snap a few pictures for social media.

Local Fireworks Displays

Bedford residents have a couple of choices regarding local fireworks presentations. The closest event is in Solon. The show starts at dusk on July 1 at the Solon Community Park on Som Center Road. Solon Park offers residents baseball fields, concession stands, and playgrounds. Bring a blanket or chairs and a cooler with drinks and snacks to enjoy during the show.

Woodside Lake Park offers its showing on July 3 at around 8:30 p.m. Trained professionals will light up the sky to celebrate America’s birthday. This lakeside park also offers wooded grounds for camping, fishing, swimming, boating, and camping.

If you miss that performance or want to take in another, head to the North Coast Harbor in Cleveland for Light Up the Lake. Watch fireworks explode over the Port on July 4, 2022. You can see the display from anywhere downtown or head directly to Euclid Avenue near dock 20. Admission to the event is free.

Reach Out to North Coast Auto Mall of Bedford

So, there you have it. We at North Coast Auto Mall shared this guide with tips to help you prepare for the 4th of July events around the town. What do you think of our ideas? There are many ways to enjoy the holiday this year. Let us know if we forgot your favorite way to celebrate Independence Day. Send us a note so we can add your ideas to this guide.