The City of Loveland hosted its 2024 Independence Day Celebration on Thursday, July 4. The event featured a family fun zone, concert, parade, fireworks, and several new activities.
At the family fun zone, visitors enjoyed games, photo ops, visits with the Loveland High School Robotics Team, martial arts & dance/gymnastics demos and more. Nearby, approximately 10 food trucks were available, serving up tastes ranging from Asian Fusion to barbeque.
Back by popular demand were two activities that debuted in 2023: bingo and the pie eating contest. Event organizers noted the community shows enthusiasm for “old-fashioned” activities like this.
Bingo was hosted at City Hall by the Ben Morrison Memorial Fund, which provides scholarships to Loveland High School seniors. The pie eating contest had a huge crowd of spectators and ten contestants. No hands allowed! The top contestant, Jason Jimenez, took home a prize for eating the most pie in under five minutes.
The city brought in new live entertainment this year: Game Show Battle Rooms. Two immersive shows were hosted at Jackson Street Market near Fleet Feet. Led by a gameshow host, the crowd played rounds of favorite gameshows.
Also new this year, the city hosted Buddy Badges and Split-the-Pot. Proceeds from these activities helped to offset the cost of producing the event.
The Buddy Badge activity was a unique twist on a scavenger hunt. Numbered badges were sold for $1 each. Participants searched the crowd to find the person with their matching number. Once “buddies” were found, they went as a pair to the gazebo in Nisbet Park to collect a matching set of prizes. From concert tickets to Yeti-style coolers to private wine tastings, prizes were donated by more than 40 local companies! More than $12,500 of prizes were distributed, and buddies were found across town!
As for the other festivities, Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer George Foster acted as the Grand Marshal for this year’s parade, which had more than 90 vehicle entries and approximately 800 participants. A variety of groups participated —local scout troops, music acts, the Syrian Shriners’ mini automobiles, the Bubble Bus, the Loveland Frogman, classic cars, and community businesses — to name just a few.
The Trailer Park Floosies performed at Nisbet Park’s amphitheater, playing hits from the 1980s to today. As their concert ended at 10 p.m., guests enjoyed the grand finale of the evening: an approximate 15-minute fireworks display by Rozzi Fireworks.
The city would like to thank all who attended the event, as well as the 2024 event sponsors. Special thanks to the Firework Sponsors including BF Realty, Oasis Turf & Tree, Cappy’s Taproom & Bottle Shop, and Kings Volkswagen.
View event photos.