Sparkle and shine on the Fourth

Eden Prairie’s annual 4th of July Hometown Celebration continues to spark excitement in the community. This year, the festivities include new changes and additions surrounding food, entertainment, and music. 

The celebration will span three days of festivities for Eden Prairie families.

On Tuesday, July 2, people can enjoy patriotic tunes during “Strike Up the Band: A Military Salute” at Staring Lake Amphitheatre. On Wednesday, July 3, attendees can participate in the child-friendly event Sparklefest at Round Lake Park. On Thursday, July 4, the festivities will kick off at 3 p.m. and continue until 10:30 p.m. at Round Lake Park.

Planning the Fourth of July celebration is a thoughtfully planned task, explains Amy Markle, the city’s parks director.

“We started planning many months out,” Markle says. “With months of preparation and experience, we know with our timeline what needs to be done and when to make sure everything falls in place to have a successful event.”

Holiday concert

The city’s Independence Day festivities begin with “Strike Up the Band: A Military Salute” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Staring Lake Amphitheatre.

Attendees can enjoy a free outdoor concert featuring classic favorites performed by the Eden Prairie Community Band and the Prairie Ramblers. Local veterans and active military will be honored guests.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket and wear their most patriotic red, white, and blue. Summertime food and beverages will be available for purchase, or attendees can bring their own.

Sparklefest 

Now in its fourth year, Sparklefest returns with new events, activities, and food for guests. The event takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. on July 3 at Round Lake Park.

Medori Marble, the events coordinator, shares what she has learned from past years of planning Sparklefest.

“One of the biggest things we learned about Sparklefest is that the community is a huge fan of it,” Marble says. “Every single year that we’ve had Sparklefest, it’s gotten bigger and bigger.” 

Sparklefest will include 13 food trucks, including new ones from last year such as Jilly Beans Ice Cream and Game Day Grub. The celebration will also include child-friendly activities such as a dance party, hands-on crafts, and lawn games. 

To end the night with sparkles, the event will feature the new addition of a drone show, making it one of the few celebrations in the state to include such a spectacle.

“It’s a sensory-friendly experience where people will be able to sit and use the drone show like they would fireworks,” Markle says. “It won’t have a loud bang, but it will have bright colors. I think visually, it will be really beautiful for people to enjoy and view.”

The drone show is planned to start at 10 p.m., with the drones taking off from the north side of Round Lake.

Another new addition to Sparklefest is a kids’ foam party. The event is set to be a joyful and fun activity for kids. 

Along with the new additions, guests can expect similar activities from last year. Face painting and bouncy houses will continue this year, remaining child-friendly and free for families.

4th of July Hometown Celebration

For many residents, the festivities are about more than just celebrating Independence Day. Marble explains that it sparks a sense of community spirit.

“One of the biggest things that these events mean to the City of Eden Prairie is a sense of history and getting in touch with Eden Prairie roots, as well as a sense of tradition,” Marble says. “It’s a way to kind of get back to and celebrate their traditions.”

Markle adds, “You’re all together in communities celebrating our country’s freedoms and it’s just a neat space to have everyone in one area all together.”

Marble explains how community feedback from last year helped shape this year’s planning.

“One big thing was the change of the drone show. I know that our community really likes to have something quieter, but still something beautiful to view in the sky.” Marble says, “We were able to make happen for this year”

On July 4, attendees can expect the community and food truck plaza to open at 3 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., live music on the plaza will start with Annie Mack, followed by the mainstage performance from Maiden Dixie at 6 p.m., both new performers. Mayor Ron Case and the Eden Prairie City Council will be welcomed at 7:45 p.m. before the mainstage performance from Free and Easy Band at 8 p.m. Finally, the night will end with fireworks at 10 p.m.

Residents planning to attend the festivities on July 3-4 should plan their transportation. Just as last year, there will be free parking at the Community Center along with a free shuttle service through the end of the event. Disability parking is available for vehicles displaying a valid permit at Round Lake Park, near the tennis courts.

On the Fourth, Valley View Road will be shut down from 8 to 10 p.m. to help with the flow of traffic and those walking.

Find more information about the event here.