July 4th Let Freedom Ring Festival
Mt. Morris is home to the official Freedom Bell of Illinois
and celebrates that status every July 4th holiday.
Celebrate With Us!
During the Let Freedom Ring festival the campus square comes alive with music, family activities, a patriotic program at the bandshell, food and fun – and of course, ringing the Freedom Bell of Illinois at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. ET), simultaneously with ringing the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
On July 4 the streets of Mt. Morris are lined with spectators for the Let Freedom Ring parade. And thousands come from miles around for spectacular fireworks.
It’s a multiple-day event for all ages with activities like the Little Miss and Mister Firecracker contest, Kid’s Parade, craft and food vendors, silent auction and bake sale, classic car show, Mt. Morris Jamboree concert, and our own Kable Concert Band — just to name a few fun activities. Local businesses join in the celebrations. And, our July 4th breakfasts are legendary: Fill ‘er up at the Fireman’s Breakfast at the fire station or the Fly-in /Drive-in Breakfast at the Ogle County Airport on the east edge of Mt. Morris.
There’s something new and different every year! See the schedule of events below.
Learn why we have the official Freedom Bell of Illinois…
Events Schedule
For details you can visit lfrmtmorris.com.
Wednesday, July 3
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Genesis Dance Company & All the Right Moves Tumbling (Bandshell)
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Silent Auction Opens (Senior Center, 9 E. Front St.)
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Little Miss & Mister Firecracker (Bandshell)
6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Royal Court Coronation (Bandshell)
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Fine Art Show/Regional Artist Showcase (Old Sandstone Gallery)
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Kable Band (Bandshell)
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social (Campus Lawn)
Thursday, July 4
7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Firemen Breakfast (Fire Station)
7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Fly-in Drive-in Breakfast (Ogle County/Mt. Morris Airport, 3019 IL-64)
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Silent Auction (Senior Center)
Noon – 2:00 p.m. Fine Art Show/Regional Artist Showcase (Old Sandstone Gallery)
Noon – 3:00 p.m. Hector’s Food Truck (Bandshell)
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Patriotic Program (Bandshell)
1:00 p.m. Bell Ringing (Campus Lawn)
2:00 p.m. Parade Starts
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Food Vendors (David L. Rahn school, 105 W. Brayton Rd.)
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Bounce Houses (David L. Rahn school, 105 W. Brayton Rd.)
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones, classic oldies Rock ‘n Roll (behind David L. Rahn school, 105 W. Brayton Rd.)
8:00 p.m. Kable Band (behind David L. Rahn school, 105 W. Brayton Rd.)
DUSK Light the fireworks winner picked (behind David L. Rahn school, 105 W. Brayton Rd.)
DUSK Fireworks (behind David L. Rahn school, 105 W. Brayton Rd.)
Friday, July 5
4:00 p.m. Car Show Registration, $10 (Wesley Ave.)
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. LFR Car Show (Wesley Ave.)
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Crafters/Vendors (Campus Lawn)
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Bounce Houses (Campus Lawn)
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Silent Auction Closes (Senior Center, 9 E. Front St.)
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Root Beer Floats (Campus Lawn)
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Fine Art Show/Regional Artist Showcase (Old Sandstone Gallery)
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Kiddie Parade Registration (Wesley Ave. & Main St.)
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Beef Producers (near Bandshell)
6:00 p.m. Kiddie Parade (Main St. next to Campus)
6:30 p.m. Water Fights with Firemen Registration (Wesley Ave. & Main St.)
6:45 p.m. Water Fights with Firemen (Main St. next to Campus)
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Stingrays, 50’s, 60’s & 70’s Rock ‘n Roll (Bandshell)
7:00 p.m. Alumni Gathering (Campus Lawn)