Your Guide to the ‘4th Fest’ Independence Day Celebration in Rochester, MN

The largest firework show in Minnesota is in Duluth, but you don't have to go up north to see the sky light up. To help you get ready for the 4th of July, we put together a list of Independence Day Celebrations in southeast Minnesota.

Rochester's party is called '4th Fest' and is a free family-friendly event. Thousands will gather for this celebration which includes local food vendors, craft beer, and live music. Organizers just released the schedule for Rochester's '4th Fest'. Find out where it is, when it starts, and what's planned below.

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Rochester's '4th Fest' is sponsored by Affinity Credit Union and presented by Rochester Civic Music in partnership with Rochester Parks & Recreation, the Rochester Fire Department, and the Rochester Police Department.

Rochester's '4th Fest' Schedule of Events

6:00 PM: Rochester Community Band: Patriotic and Traditional Concert Band Music

7:00 PM: DJ Aventus and Virtual Pet Parade

The virtual pet parade is new this year. You're encouraged to send photos of your pet dressed in patriotic attire or fun costumes to civicmusic@rochestermn.gov. These pictures will be displayed on the video wall between 7:00 PM and 8:25 PM.

8:25 PM: Jean Prokott, Rochester Poet Laureate

8:30 PM: The Lonesome Losers: A Tribute to Yacht Rock

10:00 PM: Fireworks!

Food and Beer Available at Rochester's '4th Fest'

Several food trucks are scheduled to be at this event including The Compadres, Infuzn Foods, Minne Street Rolls, True Smoke BBQ, Thai Garden, Flapdoodles, and Minne "Snow" Da Shave Ice.

Little Thistle Brewing Co. and Thesis Beer Project will provide beer onsite.

Culligan will have a water refill station.

Where To Park For Rochester's '4th Fest'

The Independence Day Celebration will take place at Soldiers Field Park in downtown Rochester.

Organizers say parking will be available on all city streets in the area unless they are marked otherwise. Other parking options include:

Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Parking Lot (7th St. SW)
3rd Street Parking Ramp (100 3rd St SW)
Soldiers Field Swimming Pool Parking Lot (Soldiers Field Dr. SW)
Roy Sutherland Playground Parking Area (Soldiers Field Dr. SW)
Soldiers Field Parking Lot, Across the River (Broadway Ave S)