Plan on celebrating Independence Day in Watervliet: July 3, 4 & 5

Watervliet is making preparations to roll out the red, white, and blue carpet for their annual Watervliet Independence Day Weekend Celebration. This year, Watervliet will celebrate the Fourth of July, the most patriotic of holidays, with parades, contests, car shows, live music, fireworks, and many more activities over the weekend of July 3, 4 and 5, 2026.

The longstanding festival has events for kids and adults and continues to bring the community together for a weekend full of patriotic fun.

Friday, July 3

Festivities begin Friday with the carnival located at 1st Street and the Dollar Tree lot.

Lineup for the Kiddy Parade will be by Saylor’s Pizza for a 6 p.m. parade start. Families are encouraged to come downtown and cheer on the children as they help kick off the Independence Day Weekend Celebration. The Kiddy parade will end at Oasis Park, please plan to stay at the park for awards.

At 6:30 p.m., the community will gather at Oasis Park for the 250th Birthday Time Capsule Celebration. This special event will help mark America’s 250th birthday and give the community a chance to take part in a memorable piece of Watervliet history.

A 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will begin at 7 p.m. at Library Park, giving players and spectators another fun event to enjoy on Friday evening. Championship games will be held on Saturday. Please contact Zac Linderman with questions at 312-371-0878.

The engines and exhaust pipes will be heard for miles with the Open Header Cruise at the Watervliet Fire Department. Cruise-in will begin at 7 p.m., with the cruise starting at 7:30 p.m. If you have any questions please reach out to Chief Bill Whitney at 269-757-4293.

Singers of all ages are invited to Oasis Park following the Time Capsule Celebration for a fun night of Karaoke “Freedom Sings.” Host Cecile Joyner will have all the favorites.

If you have a golf cart or a side by side and an artistic eye, get ready for the Decorated Golf Cart Parade. The parade begins at 8 p.m. at North School and ends at Oasis Park. This event should be fun for all as decorated carts roll through town and help add to the holiday spirit. Please contact Alicia Hutchins if you have any questions, 269-759-4181.

The final event of the evening on Friday will be the Parking Lot Party at Oasis Park beginning at 9 p.m., after the Golf Cart Parade. This should be a great night of music, dancing, and celebrating outside with friends, family, and neighbors.

Saturday, July 4

Saturday, July 4, begins with the Watervliet Fire Department Pancake Breakfast from 7 until 11 a.m. at the Watervliet Fire Station. Come get your fill of breakfast and help support the fire department during one of its important yearly fundraisers.

The Bednarowski 5K and 10K Run/Walk is back again this year. The run begins at 8 a.m., with registration and lineup at the old high school property on the corner of Main Street and Red Arrow. Runners and walkers can contact Daryl Tackett at 269-208-6036 with any questions regarding the run. Registration is available at www.runsignup.com.

The 22nd Annual Veterans Car Show will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Oasis Park parking lot. This event honors veterans and is always a crowd pleaser for car enthusiasts and families alike.

The Farmer’s Market will also be open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the lot across from Oasis Park. Stop by to support local vendors and enjoy summer favorites while taking part in the downtown celebration.

The Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker Contest will take place at 11 a.m. on Main Street at Oasis Park. This favorite festival tradition gives young participants a chance to be part of the Independence Day celebration.

The Kids Zone by Vertical Edge will be located at the corner of Main Street and Red Arrow Highway. The Kids Zone will include a rock wall and more, giving children and families a fun place to enjoy the afternoon.

The Watervliet Airport Steak Fry will take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Watervliet Airport.

Be ready at 1 p.m. with your American flags flying as the Grand Parade travels through town. Colorful community floats, musicians, local groups, and patriotic entries will help make this one of the biggest highlights of the weekend. Parade registration begins at 11:15 a.m. on Myrtle Street, with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. Please contact Chana Kniebes at 269-757-2457 with questions.

New to this year in celebration of the 250th Birthday of America is the Stars, Stripes & Dirt Bike supercross event brought to you by the WBA in partnership with MXR Productions LLC. Racing will begin approximately at 2:30 p.m. following the Grand Parade.

After the parade, the Time Capsule Burial will take place as part of the community’s 250th birthday celebration. The location will be announced at a later date. The 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will continue at 2 p.m. at Library Park with championship matches.

Continuing with Saturday events, a Corn Hole Tournament will begin at 3 p.m. at Main Street Oasis Park. Those interested can contact Jason at 269-369-2021 for more information.

The Main Stage at Oasis Park will host live music by The All Niters beginning at 9 p.m. During the evening, visitors can get ready for the fireworks at dusk. Bring your blanket or chair and enjoy the oohs and ahhs as fireworks light up the sky over Watervliet. After the fireworks, The All Niters will continue the live music and keep the celebration going.

Sunday, July 5

Sunday, July 5, is the final day of the Independence Day Weekend Celebration. The Watervliet Airport will host an Airport Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. until noon.

Back again this year will be the Community Church Service at Main Street Oasis Park at 11 a.m. Please plan on worshipping downtown before heading to the final event of this year’s festival.

The long-standing Duck Race will take place at 2 p.m. at Mill Creek. For those who have never experienced the Fourth of July Duck Race, it is a sight to behold as plastic ducks are set floating down Mill Creek. The Duck Race is always a fun way to close out the holiday weekend.

Volunteers are working diligently on this year’s festival. If you are interested in helping or learning more details about each event, check out the Watervliet Business Association Festival page or contact Amy Loshbough at 269-876-1326. Become part of one of the best Fourth of July festivals in the area. The Next meeting for the planning of this years festival is Tuesday June 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Watervliet Fire Department.

Come visit Watervliet, July 3-5, 2026!