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Lawrence celebrates Fourth of July at Summerfest

by Maya Smith
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times
A child makes bubbles at Summerfest, the City of Lawrence's Fourth of July celebration, on July 4, 2026 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
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Community members gathered at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Saturday for food, drinks, performances, historical displays and more in celebration of the Fourth of July. 

Inside Summerfest, a tribute gallery honored Douglas County public servants, alongside United States history displays created by the Watkins Museum of History. Find more information about the honorees at this link.

The Aerial Illuminations drone show was set to feature 400 drones for an aerial show, replacing traditional fireworks due to the proximity to the Lawrence Humane Society as well as firework noise being potentially triggering for war veterans and others. 

The city first decided on a drone show rather than fireworks in 2024, but the drones never took off because of technical difficulties. The show went as planned in 2025, and this year’s was set to begin at 10:15 p.m. Saturday. 

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Maya Smith / Lawrence Times A child makes bubbles at Summerfest.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Children play with bubbles outside of Summerfest.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times A child makes bubbles at Summerfest.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times A child makes bubbles at Summerfest.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Kelley Hunt and The 5 perform at Summerfest.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Attendees pose at the Summerfest photobooth.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times A child plays tug-of-war in the children’s play zone.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Uncle Sam on Stilts (left), also known as Richard Renner, speaks to Porter Arneill, assistant director of parks, recreation and culture for the City of Lawrence.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Attendees read a display featuring public servants of Douglas County. Find more information about the honorees at this link.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Attendees read a display featuring public servants of Douglas County.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Kids decorate buttons indoors at Summerfest.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times A Last Carnival Acrobats member performs at Summerfest.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Attendees watch an aerial performance at the Douglas County fairgrounds.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Attendees watch an aerial performance at the Douglas County fairgrounds.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Last Carnival Acrobats performers pose for a photo with a child.

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Maya Smith / Lawrence Times August Gilbreath (right) shows a crowd a magic trick.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times August Gilbreath shows a crowd a magic trick.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Attendees watch a magic trick by magician August Gilbreath.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Master of Ceremonies Ric Averill performs at Summerfest.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times Attendees laugh during a performance at Summerfest.
Maya Smith / Lawrence Times The band Making Movies performs at Summerfest.

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Maya Smith (she/her), reporting intern, has worked with The Lawrence Times since February 2026. She was born and raised in Lawrence and is a journalism student at the University of Kansas. She works at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications as a communications assistant and has been a freelance reporter for the Kansas Reflector since 2024. Read her work for the Times at this link.

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