Glorious Fourth

Come celebrate July 4th with the citizens of Prairietown!

July 1-2 and 4, 2023

Join the citizens of Prairietown as they celebrate 60 years of American independence, but also hear how many others have questioned this holiday.

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Make and Takes

10:00am – 11:30am – Beadwork Make & Take, $5 (by Animal Encounters Barn)

2:30pm – 4:00pm – Quill & Ink Make & Take, $5 (Kiln Shed in Prairietown)

Activities

Throughout the week, there will be opportunities to help decorate the town with festive red, white and blue bunting, as well as help the citizens of Prairietown rehearse speeches and toasts for the holiday celebration! Make sure you stop by Civil War Journey for hands on activities that introduce the power of voice, justice and personal identity.

Daily Operations as normal with a patriotic twist. Tickets for Glorious Fourth are free with general admission! Activities and times repeat each day during Glorious Fourth.

  • Glorious Fourth Grove Celebration at 2 p.m.: Join us for a traditional celebratory July Fourth event. Ceremony honoring veterans, presentation of new 25-star flag, reading of the Declaration of Independence and singing.
  • Dissenting Voices: Watch two speeches, one by Ida B. Wells and the other by Belva Lockwood. These speeches will provide historical dissenting views on the Fourth of July to showcase criticisms of American Freedom. Read the full speeches.
  • Enjoy a reenactment from the historic White River Guard Militia in Prairietown.
  • Celebration of Lenape culture and history at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.: Enjoy traditional Lenape music and dance with Mike Pace.

Read The Full Speeches from Dissenting Voices:

Dissenting Voices: 2022 Frederick Douglas

Learn more about the reason behind Fredrick Douglass's speech: Summer Celebrations: Freedom For All?