Danville, Kentucky’s America 250 Military Appreciation Parade will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. EDT. The historic, military-themed procession will march down Main Street in downtown Danville to honor service members from the country’s 250-year history.
The parade is the centerpiece of a massive, two-day holiday weekend celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. A high-level schedule of the weekend’s events includes:
Friday, July 3, 2026
- 7:00 p.m. – Free concert featuring Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry at Millennium Park.
Saturday, July 4, 2026
- 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – “Paint the Park” event sponsored by the Art Center of the Bluegrass.
- 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Danville 250th Anniversary Parade in downtown Danville.
- 3:00 p.m. – Family activities open including food trucks, bounce houses, and face painting at Millennium Park.
- 5:00 p.m. – CornHole Tournament.
- 6:00 p.m. – Live music from jazz combo “Blue Groove” on the Main Stage.
- 7:00 p.m. – Live music from “Micheal Fly and the Sound” on the Main Stage.
- Dusk (approx. 9:30 p.m.) – 250th Anniversary Fireworks Spectacular. [1, 2]
You can check the official Danville-Boyle County Convention & Visitors Bureau for up-to-date schedule changes or further details.
For more information, contact:
Melanie Crossfield
Community Development Director
City of Danville
mcrossfield@danvilleky.gov
859.516.5469
P.O. Box 670, Danville, KY 40423
Concert information: Jack, hhendr6461@aol.com
Below this point, this is a planning document, but has lots of good information in it. It will probably change as we get closer to the actual dates. Here are a few things we covered and some we still to nail down…
July 3rd
The Traveling Vietnam Wall to be delivered to Weisiger Park
Night Hawk Security providing security July 3 & 4 for the memorial
Volunteers needed to block parking at lineup area and partial parade route (volunteers available? Time?)
Concert information: (From Jack)
I was able to secure an area up close to stage for the Eddie Montgomery concert, FOR VETERANS ONLY.
The area will be marked off and reserved for Vets, the area will be big enough for 50 or 60 Veterans, Call it reserved seats for the best of the best. I’m sorry I couldn’t get 200, but it is what it is, there will be alot of area around this for others, if they bring their own chairs. Family etc if you get there early.
I also have it set up for Veterans only to park at the Veterans Memorial area, around the tank, I’m hoping to have some volunteers there to help park, keeping straight rows and stay back from FENCE around Memorial, at least 5 feet. Wear a Veteran hat or shirt or something so they’ll know who you are.
Turn in off by pass to old fairgrounds, BP Station across road, as soon as you go thru the gate, make the left towards the Tank. Park in the grass only, please do not block the road, that area should hold at least 100 cars if parked properly. Then all you have to do is walk up to Millennium Park thru the gates, go straight thru the trees and you’ll see the stage, reserved area will be to the left of stage Maybe 300 YRDS FROM WHERE YOU PARK, more or less.
Then getting out should be much easier when time to go go back out on bypass, turn RIGHT ONLY. Traffic will be a ZOO!
CONCERT IS JULY 3RD AT 1900, IF I WERE GOINGF I’D BE THERE BY 1700 OR SO!
July 2nd or 3rd I may need some volunteers to set up the area, get the chairs and set up, not sure yet.
Also may need some volunteers to help with parking on the 3rd.
July 4th
Opening Ceremonies begin at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Courthouse– Veterans Memorial
- Flag Raising (VFW)
- National Anthem ( April Hunt)
- Bench Dedication (SAR/DAR)
- KIA Memorial Recognition (Gen. Hunt)
- 21 Gun Salute & Taps (????)
- Line up begins at 9:00 a.m. – Parade Route can be found here.
- Volunteers needed for line up, will create a sign-up form if needed
- Alex, Tom, Jack and Melanie will meet to discuss certain staging areas.
- American Legion Post 18 will provide a WWII Jeep for the 4 local members for the KY Veterans Hall of Fame – Lynn Young, Jack Hendricks, Howard Hunt, Donnie Conatser)
- Grand Marshall – Horace Huffman (need to confirm vehicle)
- Candace Arnold & Kendall Clinton are working on vehicle signage for Grand Marshall and HOF vehicle.
- Melanie is contacting InterCounty Energy for flag at 3rd Street and volunteers, still need to discuss with DPD to request sheriff assistance
- We currently have 19 local participants, mostly vehicles, who have signed up.
- Tony is working on an exciting after-parade event.
More Parade information
July 4th Parade, program starts at the Court House where KIA Memorial is at 0830, small replica of The Viet Nam Wall will be set up next to Court House, all this is a Military Appreciation Program, please come and show your support! Parade line up will start at 0900 to 0930, parade will start 1100 SHARP, we have a flyover set for TOT 1115. (Time Over Target?) Parade will be West to East fly over will come in East to West down Main Street.
If you haven’t noticed Military Banners are up, THEY LOOK GREAT, thanks to all who participated. Let Jack know if your available, Jul 2nd or 3rd to help!
Still Need to contact or confirm as participants in parade – please contact if you have a connection:
- Boyle County EMS-Fire-Sheriff – Melanie
- Boy Scouts
- Carriage? Ann Yeager? Laura Wood?
- Hooves for Hope
- Humane Society
- Marching Bands – any shape or size will do!
The Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and we (fingers crossed) can expect the flyover at 11:15.
Again, if you have spoken with groups that intend to participate, please encourage them to complete the registration whether they have a fully formed plan or not.
Here’s the link.
We will be meeting every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall until the 4th.