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USA 250th in Stearns

Stearns, KY

4th of July Celebration

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in style at the 4th of July Celebration in downtown Stearns, KY! This festive, family-friendly event features train rides, artisan demonstrations, craft vendors, and a variety of food trucks. Enjoy a lively parade, step back in time with primitive and Civil War camp reenactors, and end the day with a spectacular fireworks show. With something for everyone, it’s the perfect way to honor Independence Day and create lasting memories with your community.

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250 YEARS
Voices of McCreary Past and Present

If you would like to submit a brief essay or poem based on the theme, please email your essay to dtrammell@historicstearns.org. Essay ideas include our county’s beautiful scenery; interviews with friends, grandparents, or parents; historic events; historic figures; or what McCreary County means to you.

In addition, McCreary County residents of all ages with artistic talent are encouraged to submit an original piece of art based on the theme. Artwork may be submitted to the McCreary County Tourism office, McCreary Journal office, or the McCreary County Courthouse front desk during normal business hours. Students may submit their artwork to their school’s main office.

The deadline for submission of essays, poetry, or artwork is Friday, June 5, 2026. Submission forms entries are available at the McCreary County Courthouse front desk, McCreary County Tourism office, McCreary Journal office, schools throughout McCreary County, and on the Facebook pages of the McCreary County Museum and The Artisan Shop.

Please be advised selected entries may be featured on the websites and Facebook pages of McCreary County Tourism, The Artisan Shop, McCreary County Museum, McCreary County Public Library, Big South Fork Scenic Railway, and McCreary County Government.

Download Art Submission Form

Vendor and Parade Participant Form

*Only fill this form out if you intend to be a vendor or parade participant at the America’s 250th Birthday Celebration – Voices of McCreary: Past and Present Event

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Vendor Info

The event will take place from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and vendors may begin setup at 12:00 PM. Vendor spaces are 10x10 booths.

Parade Info

*NO CANDY/ITEMS ARE PREMITTED TO BE THROWN DURING THE PARADE*
Parade lineup will begin at 4:00 PM at Stearns First Baptist Church. The parade will step off at 6:00 PM.
This is a smaller parade route, but it remains an important part of our 250th Celebration, and we encourage everyone to come out and participate or line the streets to show your support.
The route will begin at the church, travel S KY-1651 through downtown Stearns, and conclude at the stop sign at the intersection of Ky-1651 and Wilburn K. Ross Highway.

Schedule

10:00am-9:30 pm

QUILT SHOW · BSF Scenic Railway Depot

11:00 am

SCENIC BLUE HERON TRAIN RIDE

2:00-8:00 pm

ARTISAN DEMONSTRATIONS/CRAFTERS· Henderson Street

2:00-10:00 pm

FOOD TRUCKS and VENDORS · Henderson Street

2:30 pm

SCENIC BLUE HERON TRAIN RIDE

6:00 pm

PARADE · Stearns First Baptist to Wilburn Ross Highway

6:30 pm

PRESENTATION OF COLORS · McCreary County Museum lawn

7:00 pm

INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER/ANNOUNCEMENTS · McCreary County Museum steps

7:15 pm

250th ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS · McCreary County Museum steps

8:00 pm

HISTORIC STEARNS STEAM WHISTLE

7:45 -9:45 pm

LIVE MUSIC · McCreary County Museum steps

9:45 pm

FIREWORKS

Other Events

May-December

1792 Kentucky State Constitution Display 

McCreary Co. Courthouse, Library, and Museum

June

ART SHOW

Artisan Classroom inside the BSF Scenic Railway Depot

For additional information contact Debbie Kidd-Trammell at dtrammell@historicstearns.org