What to know about Lennox's legendary July 4 celebration

Megan Raposa -

This is a paid piece from Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Simplified: About a 20-minute drive from Sioux Falls is the city of Lennox – a perfect example of quiet, quintessential small-town living. But on July 4, that town of about 2,500 people welcomes between 10,000 and 15,000 visitors for its legendary Fourth of July celebrations.

Why it matters

  • This year marks the 42nd Annual Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration in Lennox, which includes the firecracker fun run, municipal band concert, parade, and, of course, fireworks.
  • Part of what makes these festivities so appealing is the experience of small-town life and traditions. Lennox City Councilor Lauren Van Driel – who also participates in the Lions Club and in the Municipal Band – sees it as a way to take a break from the busyness of life and just be a part of something fun.
  • The holiday fun is also an economic boon for the small community, City Administrator Nate Vander Plaats said. Any money visitors spend in Lennox contributes to overall sales tax revenue, and those funds are then reinvested into the community.
"This is our chance every year to show off Lennox," Vander Plaats said.

Tell me more about this year's celebrations

There's a number of activities happening from Thursday to Sunday, with the most to do on Friday, July 4.

"There’s something for everyone," Van Driel said.

It all kicks off Thursday evening with cruise night on Main Street, when folks can watch classic cars drive down Lennox's main drag.

  • From there, the party continues with a street dance featuring live music from Whiskey Rich and Weston Frank.

Then on Friday, the fun begins with the Firecracker Fun Run at 8 a.m. starting at Lennox High School. Race fees go to support both the Lions Club and the Lennox Area Community Fund, Van Driel said.

  • The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Main Street and Highway 44, and the parade will make its way along a one-mile route going up to 1st Avenue and then looping back down Elm Street to Highway 44.

The rest of the afternoon will be filled with live music in the park, food trucks, vendors, a car show and a chance to swing by the Lennox Museum, which recently saw $150,000 in upgrades, Vander Plaats said.

Friday evening, catch the Lennox Municipal Band – the oldest in the state – at 8 p.m. at the bandshell.

  • Then, fireworks will be shot off in the high school parking lot at dusk.

Festivities continue Sunday with a community worship service in the park at 10:30 a.m. and then a tractor pull at 1 p.m.

Anything else to know before I go?

Anytime you've got a bunch of people going to the same event, there's going to be some traffic.

  • Vander Plaats said your best bet for getting into town seamlessly is to come from the west or south. Try taking Exit 60 off of Interstate 29 rather than Exit 64, or find an alternate route to avoid the main thoroughfare.

Once you get to town, you can park anywhere but the parade route.