Paducah Independence Day Celebration
2026 Celebration Details - A Celebration of our Nation's 250th Anniversary
Paducah's Independence Day Celebration, sponsored by Independence Bank and Global Laser Enrichment, will be Saturday, July 4 in historic downtown Paducah. Enjoy live music, food trucks, free Ferris wheel rides, and a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. An estimated 10,000 people come each year to the riverfront to enjoy Paducah’s celebration. Viewing is available along the riverfront near Wilson Stage, Schultz Park, and the Transient Boat Dock.
FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT Food vendors will start serving by noon and will serve until 9 p.m. They will be along Jefferson Street between Water St and 2nd St. Musical entertainment begins at 1 p.m. with musical acts appearing on Wilson Stage at the foot of Broadway and on the Riverfront Plaza Stage which will be placed in the downtown parking lot at 2nd and Broadway. The entertainment lineup is as follows:
- 1:00 p.m. – Jack Martin & Co.
- 2:00 p.m. – The BLOOM Initiative
- 3:00 p.m. – Sam Lynn
- 4:00 p.m. – Lew Jetton
- 5:00 p.m. – Lost Stars
- 6:30 p.m. – Cody Bradley
- 8:30 p.m. – Paducah Community Band
- 9:15 p.m. – Fireworks Show
FERRIS WHEEL RIDES New this year, the community will be able to enjoy free Ferris wheel rides from 1 until 9 p.m. The Ferris wheel will be in the parking area in the 100 block of Jefferson Street.
FIREWORKS The City has contracted with Pyro Shows for a 20-minute display starting at 9:15 p.m. with the fireworks discharged from a barge provided by Pine Bluff Materials. The tug is provided by Ingram Barge Company. The City of Paducah appreciates the support of the tug and barge companies in making this event such a success. The creative show is choreographed to music with speakers placed along the riverfront near Wilson Stage.
If a thunderstorm is in the area at the scheduled time for the fireworks, the fireworks show will be delayed until the weather clears or rescheduled for July 5. The Paducah Fire and Police Departments, McCracken County Sheriff’s Department, DES, and the U.S. Coast Guard will be at the event for additional safety.
ROAD CLOSURES Boaters should use the Ohio River Boat Launch at 6th and Burnett Streets since the floodwall openings at Broadway and Kentucky will close at 9 p.m. on July 3. Schultz Park and the small parking area near the transient boat dock also will close to vehicular traffic at 9 p.m. on July 3.
On July 4, Broadway and Jefferson will close to vehicular traffic from 2nd Street to the floodwall. Water Street from Kentucky to Jefferson also will be closed.
PARKING Parking will be available in several locations including the Farmers’ Market parking lot, Convention Center lots, City’s parking lot at 3rd and Kentucky, and the City Block lot (access from 2nd Street only).
RAIN DATE The rain date for the celebration, if needed, is Sunday, July 5.
DOG ORDINANCE While pets are allowed at the July 4th Celebration, the City of Paducah’s dog ordinance mandates that the dog must be restrained by a leash or other lead that is no longer than three feet.
2026 Mobile Food Vendor Information
Mobile Food Vendor Applications will be accepted from April 28 through June 4 for the City of Paducah, KY Independence Day Celebration. There is an Early Bird Registration Fee of $100 (tax included) for applications submitted by May 14. Beginning May 15 the fee will be $150 (tax included) through the final deadline of June 4. All paperwork (application and required permits/licenses) and payment can be taken by the Paducah Parks & Recreation Office at 2701 Park Ave, Paducah, KY 42001, or emailed to tmorschingpaducahky.gov.
