Megadeth
One of the seminal speed metal bands of the 1980s, Megadeth was founded by ex-Metallica lead guitarist, Dave Mustaine. They released their 15th album, “Dystopia,” last year. Meshuggah, TesseracT, and LILLAKE will open. See them at the PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati on July 2 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $29.50-$75. For more information, call (513) 232-6220 or visit www.riverbend.org.
Oxford Freedom Festival Parade
Oxford’s two-day Fourth of July event starts on July 2 and features a parade that starts at the corner of College and High Street and ends on Poplar Street. July 3 is a party that features zip lining, wall climbing, face painting, inflatables, a petting zoo, DJ’d music, community booths, a pie baking contest, and food and drink. The second-day party takes place at the Uptown Oxford Historic District, 14 W. Park Place, Oxford. Festivities for both days start at 6 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-523-8687 or visit www.cityofoxford.org.
Red, White and Kaboom: Fireworks Over Fairfield
Fairfield’s Fourth of July event will include four viewing locations: Village Green Park (301 Wessel Drive), Harbin Park (1300 Hunter Road), the Fairfield Aquatic Center (2605 Augusta Blvd), and the Marsh Fishing Lake (6440 River Road). The Village Green and Harbin Park locations will also feature live music and food vendors at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively. The Fairfield Aquatic Center will have swimming, a DJ, and games from 7-11 p.m. The Marsh Fishing Lake will host a “Red, White, and Fish” fishing event, starting at 5 p.m. All four will offer a spectacular view of the Rozzi’s fireworks show. Check it out on July 3. The only admission costs are $5 each for the Aquatic Center and the Red, White and Fish event (season pass holders are admitted free). For more information, call 513-867-5348 or visit www.fairfield-city.org/kaboom.
Broad Street Blast Rockin’ Fireworks And Middletown Independence Day Parade
The first day of this two-day festival will feature food and drink, a kids’ zone, live music by The Romantics (of “What I Like About You” fame), and fireworks. The second day will feature a parade followed by parade awards and a kids’ fishing derby. Check it out at Smith Park, 500 Tytus Avenue and Verity Parkway, Middletown, on July 3-4. The fun starts at 4 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. Tuesday. (The Tuesday parade’s starting point is Woodside Cemetery, 1401 Woodside Blvd., Middletown, and ends back at Smith Park). There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-425-7766 or visit www.cityofmiddletown.org.
Hamilton Fourth of July Fireworks and Parade
Hamilton’s Fourth of July starts with a parade at the Butler County Fairgrounds (1715 Fairgrove Ave.) and ends at the Butler County Courthouse (101 High St.). The celebration continues with historical open houses, a patriotic ceremony, a Native American and pioneer living history demonstration, and concludes with food, drink, live music, and fireworks at RiversEdge Amphitheatre (116 Dayton St.). Check it out on July 4 from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. (the RiversEdge shows start at 4:30 p.m.). There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-844-8080 or visit www.hamilton-city.org.
Fourth of July Parade, Festival, and Fireworks
Monroe’s Fourth of July starts with a parade at Monroe Kroger (3033 Heritage Green Drive) and concludes at Monroe Community Park (412 Old St.), where the festival begins. Enjoy amusement park rides, carnival games, live music, food, a beer garden and fireworks. The parade and festival takes place on July 4 from noon.-11 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, visit monroe-lions.squarespace.com.
Trace Adkins
This Grammy-nominated and CMA-winning country singer reached an even wider audience when he appeared on the “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice” twice (he was the runner-up in 2008 and the winner in 2013). He released his 12th studio album, “Something’s Going On,” earlier this year. There is a pre-show craft beer tasting for ticketholders and Parmalee and Jordan Rager will open. See them at Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati on July 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $23.50-$63. For more information, call (513) 232-6220 or visit www.riverbend.org.
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra: “Let Freedom Sing”
This musical retrospective will showcase songs associated with U.S. military conflicts from the American Revolution to the Mogodishu raid, captured in the 2001 hit movie, “Black Hawk Down.” The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra will perform this special concert at Cottell Park, 5847 Irwin Simpson Road, Deerfield Twp., on July 7 at 7:30 p.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-309-8585 or visit www.the-arts-alliance.org or www.kyso.org.
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band
The special relationship between Jimmy Buffett and Cincinnati is well documented. He released his 29th album, a tropical-themed Christmas release called “ ’Tis the SeaSon,” last year. He’ll be turning the ‘Nati into a great big Margaritaville once again at Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, on July 8 at 8 p.m. Since this is the 50th time Buffett will take the Riverbend stage, there will be a special pre-party for ticketholders at the West Side Plaza at Coney Island, which will include live music, prizes, Happy Hour pricing, and a complimentary lei. Tickets are $36-$136. For more information, call (513) 232-6220 or visit www.riverbend.org.
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