Following the dwindling positive cases of COVID-19, Calhoun County is hosting celebratory Independence Day events packed with food, fireworks, and fun. While still encouraging and abiding by regulations and guidelines, the county is instilling a sense of normalcy by providing these events, friendly and accessible for all ages. 

Oxford’s Freedom Festival

The city of Oxford is proud to welcome the Freedom Festival set to take place at the Oxford Lake on July 3, beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m. The festival will include various fun activities for the kids such as a petting zoo, numerous carnival-style games, and even a bicycle race. Along with the kid-friendly attractions, a parade will capture spectators’ eyes. Prior to the July 3 festival, Oxford will build the excitement and anticipation by hosting smaller events throughout the city, most of which consist of showcasing movies for the little ones. 

• 8AM: Around the Lake Ramble
• 8AM-1PM: Car Show
• 9AM: Parade
• 9:15AM: Opening Ceremonies
• 9:30AM: Petting Zoo
• 9:30AM: Tricycle & Bicycle races
• 9:30AM: Pet Show
• 9:45-11:30 AM: Carnival
• 1:00PM: Swim races
• 9:00PM: Fireworks show

Anniston’s Noble Street Festival

Also on July 3 Anniston will be hosting their annual Noble Street Festival which is much like Oxford’s Freedom Festival. Along Noble Street in Downtown Anniston carnival games and vendors will set up shop in celebration of the approaching holiday. Live music will add to the ambiance throughout the day, and residents can cheer on familiar faces in a professional bike race hosted by the city. The festival will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 7 p.m.

• 9 am – 3 pm Downtown Throwdown Crossfit Competition
• 10 am Amateur Bicycle Races Start
• 11:15 am – 11:45 am Anniston Museum and Gardens Animal Show
• 12 pm – 1 pm Live Music with Mary Culpepper and Robert Grind
• 1:15 pm – 1:45 pm Anniston Museum and Gardens Animal Show
• 2 pm – 3 pm Live Music with Callen Brown
• 3 pm – 4:30 pm Live Music with Stadium Drive
• 5 pm Anniston YMCA Youth Fun Races Start
• 5 pm – 7 pm Live Music with Tribute
• 6 pm – 9 pm Professional Bike Races under the lights

Jacksonville Fireworks Show

The city of Jacksonville is hosting their own Independence Day Celebration with a fireworks show on July 3. The show will be held at Jacksonville High School’s football stadium with gates opening at 5 p.m. The fun begins at 6pm and fireworks at 9 p.m. The show is free, and before the fireworks display a local rock band, Parris, will be performing starting around 6:45.  

Piedmont’s Freedom Festival

This festival will be on July 3rd, located at the Piedmont Sports Complex. The festival will take up most of the evening, beginning at 3 p.m. and going until 9 p.m. Piedmont has most of the same attractions set up as the rest of the surrounding county including games, food, fireworks, and a parade. Like the others, Piedmont’s festival is free to attend. On July 4th they will also be holding more activities in downtown Piedmont during the Piedmont Criterium Race from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Detailed descriptions of Independence Day events within the county can be found on the Calhoun County Insights website in our event section.   

Live Music Schedule for each festival and surrounding events 

• July 3rd  6:45 @ Jax Fest – Parris
• July 3rd 4:30 @ Piedmont Independence Day Celebration – Jeff Rogers 
• July 3rd 6pm @ Piedmont Independence Day Celebration – Southland Soul
• July 3rd 12pm @ Noble Street Festival – Mary Culpepper & Robert Grind
• July 3rd 2pm @ Noble Street Festival – Callen Brown 
• July 3rd 3pm @ Noble Street Festival – Stadium Drive 
• July 3rd 5pm @ Noble Street Festival – Tribute – a celebration of The Allman Brothers 
• July 3rd 8pm @ The Peerless – WMD and Friends for a Noble Street Festival afterparty 
• July 3rd @ The Darkhorse – Wes Singleton for a Noble Street Festival afterparty