Of course, what would the Fourth of July holiday be without fireworks and celebrations? Here in Dutchess County, we have plenty of those. Read on for a list of family-friendly Independence Day events around which you can plan an unforgettable Hudson Valley getaway.
Thursday, July 3
• Heritage Financial Park, Wappingers Falls: Settle in and enjoy the Hudson Valley Renegades baseball game against the Brooklyn Cyclones starting at 7:05 p.m., and stick around for the Independence Day MEGA Fireworks Show after the game! The first 1,000 fans through the gates receive a special Stars & Stripes replica Renegades jersey. Click here to purchase tickets. The Renegades, a Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, also host post-game fireworks following most Friday home games throughout the season.
Related: Minor-League Baseball and Major Thrills with the Renegades
Friday, July 4
• Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie: Witness the City of Poughkeepsie’s annual fireworks show with an unobstructed view from 212 feet above the river at the Walkway Over the Hudson. The Walkway will close to the public in the afternoon that day and reopen at 6 p.m. for those with valid tickets to the event. Space is limited. This event sells out every year. To purchase tickets, click here. Plus, book an overnight stay at The Inn at Bellefield in Hyde Park and receive two free VIP tickets to the fireworks. Use promo code E3109 when booking to receive a discounted rate and two free tickets, along with seating, snacks, and vouchers for lemonade at the event. The Inn at Bellefield is only a few minutes away from the Walkway.
• Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie: Enjoy front-row viewing of the City of Poughkeepsie fireworks along the Hudson River, reserved on-site parking and a covered picnic area, along with fun inside the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum beginning at 7 p.m. Price is per car, so pack up the family and friends and come down to the Poughkeepsie Waterfront! Click here to purchase tickets.
• Four Brothers Drive-In Theatre, Amenia: For a one-of-a-kind Fourth of July experience, head to Four Brothers Drive-In for its annual movie double-feature with fireworks. See "Jurassic World Rebirth" (rated PG-13), followed by "F1 The Movie" (rated PG-13), with a fireworks show in between. Arrive early and enjoy live music along with delicious food and drinks from the Grand Shack. Play some mini-golf and get cozy by the fire pit. Click here to reserve tickets. Plus, if you're looking for a next-level glamping adventure, the Hotel Caravana in a completely refurbished vintage Airstream camper located on-site.
• Heritage Financial Park, Wappingers Falls: The Renegades will be on the road on July 4, but head to the ballpark anyway for the the inaugural "Stars & Stripes Spectacular" Independence Day Celebration featuring live music, games, delicious food and fun for the entire family. There will be games and inflatables on the field, a face painter, a hot dog eating contest, an Uncle Sam look-a-like contest, a cornhole tournament and tie-dye tee shirt making. It will all culminate with a mega-fireworks show at the end of the night. Click here to purchase advance tickets to the "Stars & Stripes Spectacular" online and save. The Renegades will be on the road facing the South Atlantic League-rival Brooklyn Cyclones.
Related: Find your family’s new favorite places with the Destination Dutchess Connection Finder, a mobile passport program featuring some of the best attractions, activities, and out-of-the-ordinary sights in a curated family-friendly itinerary.
Saturday, July 5
• Memorial Park, Beacon: The City of Beacon presents its annual fireworks show, which will begin as soon as it gets dark. Parking is limited, so you may want to consider walking or biking to the park. Be sure to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Click here for details.
• Hopewell Recreation Park, Hopewell Junction: The East Fishkill Summer Concert Series continues with a performance by Adam and the Newhearts at 7 p.m. Hear all your rock n' roll favorites from the 50s and 60s, followed by a fireworks show. Free admission. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Click here for details.
Related: Revolutionary War History in Dutchess County
Friday, July 4
• Annual Fourth of July Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Fishkill: Join the Village of Fishkill for its annual Fourth of July reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Village Hall starting at 11 a.m. This event is free and open to the public. As an added bonus, the Fishkill Historical Society welcomes a Benjamin Franklin reenactor to read the Declaration. Click here for updates.
• Hyde Park Parade: The theme of this year's parade will be "The Roaring Twenties." The parade will step off at 10 a.m. and march north on Route 9 from Roosevelt Cinemas toward Town Hall. Click here for updates.
• Independence Day at Clermont: Learn what life was like at the start of the Revolutionary War for the people at the Livingston family estate at Clermont State Historic Site. The festivities begin at 11 a.m. on the Arryl Lawn. Watch reenactors portray the daily lives of these colonists through cooking, woodworking, blacksmithing, farming and more. Enjoy the songs and stories of Thomas Hooker Hanford. Hear readings of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Enjoy delicious hot food from At First Bite and ice cream from Fortunes. The event will conclude with a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Admission is $15 per car at the gate. Click here to RSVP.
Saturday, July 5
• Troutbeck, Amenia: Celebrate the holiday with a barbecue feast that simply can't be beat in Troutbeck's Pole Barn beginning at 12 p.m. Enjoy a generous selection of seasonal fare, much of which will be prepared in Troutbeck's woodfire-powered mobile kitchen. Play lawn games, listen to music and soak in the beautiful scenery. Click here to RSVP. Tucked away in the bucolic Amenia countryside, Troutbeck is a wonderful place to relax and recharge. The historic inn offers luxury accommodations with plenty of modern amenities. Click here to book your stay.
Related: Top 10 Destinations for the Perfect Kids Summer Vacation
• Public Sails on the Sloop Clearwater, Poughkeepsie
• Air Shows/Military and Veterans Appreciation Weekend, Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Red Hook
• Powerhouse Theater, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie
• SummerScape and Spiegeltent, Fisher Center, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson
• "Morgan Lewis, A Complicated Patriot," Staatsburgh State Historic Site
• Fly Fishing 101, Orvis Sandanona, Millbrook
• Disney's "Coco," Bannerman Castle, Beacon
• "DOGS: A Staged Reading," Center for Performing Arts, Rhinebeck
• Stormville Airport Antique Show and Flea Market, Stormville
• Jazz in the Vineyard, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Millbrook
Related: Top 10 Places to Get Ice Cream in Dutchess