Logan County residents and guests alike will find plenty to do around the area on Saturday, July 4, to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with fireworks and full patriotic fanfare to create lifelong memories.

Belle Center

A favorite patriotic tradition returns to northern Logan County Saturday, July 4, when Belle Center’s 44th annual Independence Day Celebration lights up the sky.

The day’s activities and first-class fireworks display, voted the Best in Logan County in 2025 and other years in the Logan County Visitors Bureau’s annual contest, are made possible through the dedicated efforts of individuals serving in an all-volunteer committee.

“In a lot of small towns, traditions like these have faded away over the years, but in Belle Center people continue to show up and make it happen every year,” fireworks fundraising chairman Heather Fitzpatrick said.

“We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who volunteers, donates, attends events, and supports our fundraising efforts. Their generosity is what keeps this tradition alive. That’s why donating is so important.

“In a world where so much changes so quickly, it’s pretty special to have a tradition that still brings an entire community together. That’s something worth preserving.”

In addition to the booming fanfare to end the night, a variety of activities take place throughout the day July 4 in the village, kicking off with a pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. served by the American Legion Auxiliary at the Richland Township Memorial building.

The annual parade begins at noon, and parade line up starts at 11 a.m. along School Street, with overflow on Plum Street. Parade grand marshals this year are present and past people who shoot off the fireworks, noted Heather’s father Greg Fitzpatrick, longtime committee member who has been involved since the fireworks’ inception.

The parade route travels along north Center Street, turns onto east Buckeye Street, turns again onto Miami Street and then onto north Elizabeth Street until it reaches the Richland Township Park.

Afternoon festivities take place at the park as well, including karaoke at the shelter house. Open karaoke and music with DJ Chris take place from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., when a karaoke contest kicks off.

The karaoke contest concludes at 6 p.m. and includes $150 first place prize, $100 second place prize and $50 third place prize.

The popular War Wrestling returns as well, beginning at 6 p.m., with attendees invited to take their own chairs for the “Belle Center Brawl.” A variety of kids games, an axe-throwing game and food trucks are part of the line-up this year as well.

The fan favorite fireworks begin at dusk.

“I cannot emphasize enough about how satisfying it is to be able to do this for our community,” Greg Fitzpatrick said. “I was born and raised here. I grew up here and this just gives you a good feeling to do this for your community and especially when you hear people who don’t live here that say I come to Belle Center every year for fireworks.

“I joked that it’s called Red, White and Belle Center, and that you cannot only come and see the fireworks but if you come to Richland Township Park, you can feel the fireworks.

Community donations, an annual reverse raffle and other fundraisers throughout the year help to generate fireworks funds, and the committee saves money by having the local pyrotechnician set up the display instead of hiring out the task.

“We collect a free will donation throughout the early evening before fireworks. That is very important to our show,” Greg said.

For those wanting to contribute after the fireworks, donations can be mailed to: Belle Center Fireworks, P.O. Box 513, Belle Center, 43310; make check donations to “Belle Center Fireworks.

Light Up the Lake at Indian Lake

The sky over Indian Lake will be lit this Independence Day as the committee anticipates their best show yet for America 250.

According to Amber Fagan, Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce president, they’re ready for the thousands they expect will converge on the area for the fireworks display Saturday, July 4.

The Light Up the Lake launch site is the south bank of Indian Lake, from the midway parking lot on State Route 366 (near Township Road 239) to Paradise Point. Beginning Monday, June 29, the launch site closed for fireworks preparations and is marked with fencing.

“Please stay out of the closed area. Do not park along State Route 366,” Fagan noted.

Some of the best viewing spots, she said, include Paradise Island, the bike path, Old Field Beach, Community Markets parking lot, Russells Point ballfields and Indian Head Roadhouse.

But the prime location is launching a boat and floating out on the lake.

Independence Day fun will include food trucks at various locations, live music at local restaurants and lots of people and traffic. The latter will affect cell service as well.

“It will be crazy,” Fagan stated. “Police will handle the traffic routes, but get to Old Field early. Once it’s full, they’ll close it. And drive slow.”

That night, a shot will be fired at 9 p.m., then every 10 minutes until 9:55, when the final shot will prepare celebrators for the fully choreographed, 30-minute fireworks display, which will begin at 10 p.m.

Fagan noted that one of the best parts of Light Up the Lake is hearing the fireworks choreographed to music. The show will be simulcast on both WRPO FM, Community Radio In Russells Point and 98.3 WPKO so grab your radio (or your car stereo) and get ready.

You can still donate to their givebutter.com fundraiser at “Own the sky for the 4th of July,”

Visit the Indian Lake Chamber Facebook page for more information about Light Up the Lake.

West Mansfield

Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary with a full day of family-friendly activities on Saturday, July 4, at the West Mansfield Conservation Club, 701 S. Main St.

The day begins at 7 a.m. with registration for the annual Firecracker 5000 5K race. Runners will take off at 8:30 a.m.

Participants and spectators can also enjoy breakfast served by Boy Scouts Troop 70 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. in the club house.

Food trucks and vendors will begin serving at 11 a.m., offering a variety of options including The Taco Bout, Where There’s Smoke, Freyhof’s Funnel Cakes, Lemonade Man and Charlie’s Kettle Corn.

The West Mansfield Conservation Club will also be serving burgers, bratwurst and hot dogs. Vendors will be set up throughout the lawn during the day.

The community parade will start forming at Veterans Park at 11:30 a.m. before stepping off at noon. The parade route concludes at the Conservation Club, where DJ Joe Pine provides music and entertainment.

Families will find plenty to do throughout the afternoon. A Touch-a-Truck event begins at 1 p.m., giving children an opportunity to explore a variety of vehicles up close.

A traditional Cake Walk will follow from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., while an adult ball tournament will take place at the ball diamond.

Children can enjoy a free bounce house and obstacle course available throughout the day.

In addition to the scheduled activities, raffles will be held with winners announced at 9 p.m. Attendees can purchase gun raffle tickets, 50/50 tickets and club memberships inside the clubhouse.

The celebration will conclude with a fireworks display at dusk.