What to know for Downtown Indy’s Fourth Fest

INDIANAPOLIS — Downtown Indy, Inc. officials gathered at the Indiana War Memorial on Tuesday morning to announce road closures, safety protocols, and event programming for Downtown Indy’s Fourth Fest.

The Fourth Fest, which is in its second year, is a street festival that features live music, live interviews, food trucks, ice cream stands, and a Kids Zone. The night will end with a 20-minute fireworks show.

“After an incredible year one, we are thrilled to bring back Fourth Fest for its second year. Attendees will see new programming, outstanding performances, and even more family-friendly entertainment – cementing Fourth Fest as a community-favorite Downtown Indy tradition,” said DII President & CEO Taylor Schaffer.

“We’ve been intentional in driving foot traffic to Downtown with the introduction of the Fourth Fest street festival, showing great results with more than 23,000 attendees at last year’s event. We hope Central Indiana residents can join us again for a vibrant night combining arts and culture, food and drink, and the best seat in Downtown to watch the fireworks.”

City leaders covered ideal viewing areas, contingency plans, activities during the event, weather, along with safety protocol during the holiday.

“Please respect your fire department and your IMPD personnel when they ask you to move or when we have barriers up, respect the barriers because it is for your safety,” Division Chief of Fire and Life Safety, Michael Beard with the Indianapolis Fire Department.

The fireworks can be viewed from the north, east, or west. Obstructed viewing may occur from the south.

The chief also advised for individuals not to bring their own fireworks.

According to Downtown Indy Inc., the street festival is set to begin around 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, on St. Clair Street and American Legion Mall. The stage will be on North Street. Fireworks will begin just at exactly 10:15 p.m., with the launch site being at 500 N Meridian St.

The R&B dance band Living Proof will headline alongside Pavel & Direct Contact, which has Latin-jazz and salsa influences.

“We are excited to welcome all families, residents, visitors, and even juveniles to our downtown area, that being said, we ask that everyone respect our downtown and our downtown businesses and others who are in the area,” according to Deputy Chief Tanya Terry with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

“Anyone coming downtown is expected to behave responsibly and not engage in reckless behavior. Downtown is not a place to come and just drop your children off unsupervised. IMPD does not have the capacity to supervise your children. We need parents and guardians to step up, know where your kids are, who they are with, and what they are doing,” said Terry.

Officer Terry said that there will be a heavy police presence in the area. Individuals can still call 911 if they see something suspicious.

Contingency plans will be in place ranging from temporary weather delays to possible full reschedule of the event on Friday, July 5.

To learn more about Downtown Indy’s Fourth Fest, please view here .

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