Celebrate Independence Day in Mentor!
All are invited to celebrate Independence Day at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The grounds will open at 5:00 PM with a full program of events to begin at 5:30 PM including skydivers, a reading of the “Declaration of Independence” and more.
Eagles-tribute “Hotel California” will perform at 8:00 PM with the LARGEST fireworks display in Mentor’s history to immediately follow!
Popular local food trucks will be serving their festival favorites. A selection of beers, wines, and sparkling beverages will also be available for sale. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. No coolers, outside alcohol, glass containers, food delivers, or pets permitted on Amphitheater grounds.
SCHEDULE
5:00 PM
5:05 PMGrounds open. Food & beverage service begins.
Star Spangled Banner (Christine Herrick)5:30 PMHometown Heroes video5:45 PMReading of the Declaration of Independence video6:00 PMSkydivers – courtesy of the VFR Foundation (Weather Permitting)6:30 PMBridge the Gap (Patriotic songs)7:15 PMWhat it Means to be an American video7:55 PMIntroductions
Acknowledgement of Veterans
Moment of Silence
Pledge of Allegiance
America the Beautiful (Christine Herrick)
Star Spangled Banner8:00 PMHotel California (Eagles tribute)10:00 PMFireworks
Schedule subject to change/adjustment
The Independence Day celebration is made possible in part through the support of our Mentor Rocks / Amp Main Stage sponsors including Title Sponsor Ken Ganley KIA of Mentor; presenting sponsors Cleveland Clinic, Meijer, and ProBuilt Homes; supporting sponsors Cardinal Credit Union, Cross Country Mortgage – the Muro Group, IBEW 673, Just Windows, Kona Big Wave, Michelob Ultra, Mimi Vanderhaven, Mutsko Insurance Services, NUTRL, Powers Roofing, Tour Lake County, and Waste Management; with grant support from NOPEC and the Mentor Community Arts Commission.
Mentor Civic Center Park is located at 8600 Munson Road.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
GROUNDS: Amphitheater grounds will open at 5:00 PM.
CONCERT: Hotel California will perform at 8:00 PM. Please bring a lawn chair or a blanket.
FIREWORKS: The fireworks display will be launched on the Civic Center ballfields instead of the former launch site on Mentor High School grounds. The display will begin at approximately 10:00 PM. The show can be viewed from the Mentor Civic Center Park Complex as well as Mentor High School.
FOOD: Food service will begin at 5:00 PM and is located immediately adjacent to the Amphitheater.
BEVERAGE SALES: Beer, wine, and sparkling beverages will be sold from 5:00 PM to 9:45 PM for those 21 and over. Cash or credit card. ID required. No outside alcohol may be brought on site. Attendees are welcome to hand carry food and non-alcoholic beverages.
RESTRICTED ITEMS: No coolers, outside alcohol, glass containers, food deliveries, or pets, are permitted on Amphitheater grounds.
RESTROOMS: Restrooms will be open for your convenience at the Amphitheater, and City Hall. Portable restrooms will be available at the south end of Amphitheater grounds, and in the new basketball court parking lot on Munson Road.
PARKING: Parking will be available at Mentor Civic Center Park, the Municipal Center, Senior Center, Police Station, Mentor High School, and the Laketran Park & Ride Market Street lot. Handicapped parking is available at the Mentor Municipal Center and the Mentor Police Department. Parking will be coordinated by Mentor Police. Attendees are encouraged to also take advantage of street parking where available. Motorists are instructed to avoid parking along medians, sidewalks, and near intersections, and to observe the NO PARKING signs as per MCO 351.03.Vehicles parked in a No Parking zone are subject to ticketing. NO PARKING on Civic Center Boulevard.
TRAFFIC: Be aware that Munson Road between Hopkins Road and Civic Center Boulevard will be closed from 6 PM until 11 PM. Eastbound and westbound Route 2 exit ramps to Center Street will be closed from 10 PM to 11:30 PM. Civic Center Boulevard will be closed during the duration of the fireworks display. At the conclusion of the fireworks, Center Street northbound from Tyler Boulevard will be closed from about 10:15 PM to 11:45 PM. Some turns and accesses at key intersections will also be limited to expedite the flow of traffic while providing a safe departure for attendees.
Enjoy your evening and please be courteous and patient while leaving Civic Center grounds.