From Richmond to Cambridge City, here are Wayne County's July 4th festivities

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. — Did you know that the first fireworks ever used are dated back to 200 BC?

They have been a tradition in Independence Day celebrations from the very beginning, when the nation's second president, John Adams, wrote in a letter to his wife, Abigail, "It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

Although Adams was the only president not to celebrate the holiday, believing it should be on July 2 because the Continental Congress actually voted for independence that day before the declaration was adopted two days later, the holiday has always been held on the fourth.

Over the next three weeks, the city of Richmond and towns around the county will hold festivals and fireworks shows for community members.

They kick off Friday night, June 28, at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, where First Bank will sponsor a fireworks show after dark.

On July 4, Hagerstown will hold a fireworks show at the Hagerstown Airport, the only town in Wayne County scheduled to hold one on Independence Day.

Two days later, on July 6, Richmond and Cambridge City both offer celebrations, with the 80th annual Fireworks and Freedom Festival at Glen Miller Park by the Harry Ray American Legion Post 65 and the Independence Day Fireworks Celebration in Cambridge City by the town's Chamber of Commerce.

According to its Facebook event page, the Freedom Festival is scheduled to start at noon, and potential attendees are asked to follow the page to stay up to date on announcements.

Meanwhile, Cambridge City's celebration begins at 6 p.m. with food available for purchase by vendors such as The Fresh Side, The Ginger Gringo and Schunk Concessions, as well as music presented by Special Request DJ Charlie Bertsch, with more information to come.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk thanks to the Cambridge City Fire Department, with a possible rain date of July 7.

A week later, on July 13, Fountain City will hold its fireworks show by Jeremy Scarette at the East Diamonds (701 W. Fountain City Pike), with festivities beginning at 5 p.m. with food vendors and a live radio broadcast by G101.3.

Evan Weaver is a news and sports reporter at The Palladium-Item. Contact him on X (@evan_weaver7) or email ateweaver@gannett.com.