Looking for something to do this 4th of July? Locals have always been patriotic when it comes to participating in July 4th activities, and now you can join in on the fun, too! Put on your red, white, and blue attire and start waving those American flags because the 4th of July is almost here!
Celebrate Independence Day
Head to Hazel Ruby McQuain Park on July 4 to help celebrate our nation’s independence from 5-10:30 p.m.!
The park will open to the public at 5 p.m., and the festivities will kick off at 7 p.m. with food trucks, face painting, live music, and more. Stay the whole time and you’ll have the opportunity to watch the free fireworks display at 10 p.m.!
This event is presented by the City of Morgantown, Additional sponsors for the event include Monongalia County and Visit Mountaineer Country CVB.
Watch Fireworks
 
Hazel Ruby McQuain Park will be concluding the July 4th festivities with fireworks starting at 10 p.m. Come early to enjoy live music and good food in Downtown Morgantown.
Palatine Park will be finishing out their Independence Day Celebration with their signature firework display starting at 10 p.m.
Listen to Live Music
If motorcycles and music sound like your ideal 4th of July, plan to head to Mountainfest July 4-7 for great local and regional artists, vendors, and all that you would expect the way MountainFest brings it. With MountainFest’s favorite Emcee, the one and only Jack Schit, the fun and games will be packed in between some great music, rides, and the biggest bar in WV, the Coal Bucket Saloon.
Staying in town? Extend your Independence Day celebrations with a live performance by Halftime Stringband on July 6 as a part of the Chestnut Ridge Summer Concert Series. Gather your family and friends, bring a blanket or chair, and stop by to enjoy an evening of music, food trucks, and community. Children 6 and under get in free and well-behaved pets are welcome! The show starts at 6:30 p.m.
You can also head to Palatine Park on July 6 for Wanted: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band with Special Guest Motorcycle Drive-By and Flight Six-Six. The show starts at 5:45 p.m. Make sure to stick around for fireworks!
Relax on the Water
Take your family or friends to Krepps or Marilla Park for a day by the pool or rent a boat, kayaks, canoes, or paddle boats and enjoy time on the water at Cheat Lake. If you enjoy fishing, there are several fishing areas in Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties, or be adventurous by whitewater rafting on the Cheat River.
Spend your July 4 weekend floating down Tygart Lake with the Taylor County Adventure Club. Their free lazy river is the perfect way to relax on the weekend, schedule a trip Wednesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. or Sunday at 2 p.m. Message them on Facebook to schedule your trip, it fills up fast!
Reach out to Padlz Canoe & Kayak Rentals to reserve your timeslot for smooth sailing in Bruceton Mills. Appointments can be made on their Facebook page or over the phone and are decided on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If you are looking for a floating obstacle course to tackle with your friends and family, check out Tygart Adventure Lake in Taylor County. You can make reservations online.
Find the perfect spot for you by visiting our Just Add Water guide.
Plan a Cookout
A 4th of July cookout is always more fun while camping! Camp at one of Visit Mountaineer Country’s many campgrounds for a weekend of grilling and outdoor activities. You can also host a cookout at one of the parks that provide picnic areas and allow grilling.
Let someone else take care of the cooking! Many great restaurants in Mountaineer Country offer outdoor seating and 4th of July specials, check out some of our Mountaineer Deal partners that will make your experience memorable!
Get a Workout In
Looking for an easy morning walk? Nestled between Morgantown and Cheat Lake, the West Virginia Botanical Garden provides an oasis from city life with over 4-miles of of trails through shaded hemlock and hardwood forest.
Participate in a 4-mile run or walk with Morgantown Running for their July 4th Road Race. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female runners, along with winners picked from random drawings. A one-mile run for kids will also be held.
Head to the Peak Health Aquatic Center at Mylan Park to swim a few laps in the Olympic-sized competition pool or enjoy a bit of relaxing open swim in the community pool.
Get outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty around town! Take a hike at Coopers Rock State Forest and stop by the newly installed swing to take a picture.
Family Fun
Visit Pricketts Fort, located in Fairmont, WV on July 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for their Independence Day Celebration. After listening to a full reading of The Declaration of Independence, go take in the historical significance of the fort. Then, experience 18th-century life through a child’s eyes and return on July 10 and 24 for their Colonial Kids Day from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be fun, educational activities for the kiddos throughout the day. (Kids must be accompanied by an adult.)
Cheer on the West Virginia Black Bears as they take on the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on July 3 at 7:0o p.m. at the Kendrick Family Ballpark.
Head to the Terra Alta, WV Community Park for their 99th annual celebration in the Park, hosted by Terra Alta’s Volunteer Fire Department. Children and families are invited to join in on the fun by taking a turn on the bounce houses and digging into some good BBQ. Come out on July 5 for the parade and fireworks and come back the next day for the auto show and demolition derby.Â
Keep checking back for additional events and activities as we get closer to the 4th of July!
Share your 4th of July fun with us by using #VisitMountaineerCountry and #MountaineerCountryYes on your social posts for a chance to be featured!