Indianapolis celebrates the Fourth of July with new events and safety measures

Indianapolis’s Fourth of July plans are expanded this year, and include a new street festival along with the annual fireworks.

The events will be held near the American Legion Mall and feature food trucks, live music and a beer/wine tent.

For decades, the city’s fireworks show was launched from atop the Regions Tower. In 2021, new residential buildings forced a venue change to a North Meridian building just south of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. The newer location provides a safe area for the fireworks show, in accordance with city fire ordinances.

The city recommends longer-distance fireworks viewing north of Monument Circle. The Indiana War Memorials Commission park space will also be open to the public for spectators who want a closer vantage point.

Downtown Indy Inc. recently announced other measures that could influence public safety on the Fourth. There are 26 new businesses across downtown that will operate b-link cameras, which allow the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to view video live streams that could help with crime prevention. IMPD will also implement a greater presence of both on and off-duty officers.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.