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Kokomo will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a full day of community festivities on July 4th, bringing together downtown events, live music, local traditions, baseball, veterans, and fireworks for a patriotic celebration designed to honor the nation’s milestone anniversary.

The Saturday celebration begins with a free Ice Cream Social hosted by the Howard County Historical Society from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Seiberling Mansion. Families and visitors are invited to tour the mansion, enjoy free ice cream, and celebrate America’s birthday together.

Festivities continue downtown from 1-4 p.m. during Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights, a special Independence Day block party surrounding the Courthouse Square. Many downtown businesses and restaurants will be open throughout the event, while vendors around the square will offer additional shopping, art and community activities, including a free Pilates mat class.

“Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights is designed to feel like a true hometown Fourth of July celebration,” said Casie Braden, manager of the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association. “Bringing the community together downtown to honor veterans, support local businesses, and celebrate America’s 250th anniversary creates a meaningful experience that people of all ages can be part of.”

At 4 p.m., the community will gather for America’s 250th Celebration Walk to Kokomo Municipal Stadium. Assembly for the walk begins at 3:45 p.m. at the corner of Sycamore and Main streets near First Farmers Bank & Trust. The patriotic walk will feature local veterans, veterans from the Kokomo Police Department and Kokomo Fire Department, residents from Jackson Street Commons, and the Kokomo Park Band.

Community members are invited to join the walk or line the route in support of those taking part. The route will travel east on Sycamore Street to Union Street before heading south to the stadium entrance.

Once at the stadium, veterans will be honored during pregame festivities as fire trucks raise a giant American flag over the entrance to the ballpark. The Kokomo Creek Chubs will then take the field for a special Fourth of July home game beginning at 6:20 p.m. Tickets for the game are required and may be purchased in advance or at the stadium box office.

“We’re proud for the Creek Chubs to be part of such an important community celebration,” said Joe Thatcher of the Kokomo Creek Chubs. “Baseball has always been a tradition that brings people together in the summer, and hosting the Fourth of July game and fireworks show at Kokomo Municipal Stadium is a special way to celebrate both America’s birthday and the spirit of Kokomo.”

Following the game, community members without game tickets will be invited into the stadium no earlier than 9:45 p.m. for a fireworks spectacular, bringing the evening to a memorable close.