Glorious Fourth

Come celebrate July 4th with the citizens of Prairietown!

July 4 - 6, 2024

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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ASL interpreters will be on site for our July 4 events.

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Quill and Ink at the Kiln Shed

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 The Junction 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 in Prairietown 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 in the Junction at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.: List to two speeches, one by Ethel Mackenzie and Teddy Roosevelt. These speeches will provide historical dissenting views on the Fourth of July to showcase citizenship and immigrationRead the full speeches.
  • Traditional Lenape music and dancing in 1816 Lenape Indian Camp at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.: Join Mike Pace as he leads everyone in traditional Lenape music and dancing and a celebration of Lenape culture and history.
  • Enjoy a reenactment from the historic White River Guard Militia in Prairietown (July 4 and 6 only). *Please be advised that this program contains gunfire blasts at the end of the show and may not be suitable for all guests.

Read The Full Speeches from Dissenting Voices:

Past Dissenting Voices Speeches

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