Stars, Stripes and Summer Delights in Thayer County

Few places celebrate the summer quite like Thayer County, Nebraska, where patriotic traditions pair with exciting new events to bring neighbors together. The Fourth of July is more than a holiday in Thayer County: it's a weekend of community, music, food, family fun, and memories that truly establish it as “The Center of It All!”

This year, Hebron's annual Fourth of July Celebration is a weekend of activities that showcase everything people love about small-town America. Whether you're a lifelong resident, returning home for the holiday, or discovering Thayer County for the first time, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Read on to discover how you can fill your calendar for summer 2026!

Celebration Kick Off: July 3 Block Party at Backyard Bricks

The holiday festivities begin with the July 3rd Block Party at Backyard Bricks. Located in downtown Hebron, Backyard Bricks is one of the community's favorite gathering spaces, where people come together for local markets, live entertainment, and family-friendly events.

The Block Party transforms the venue into an evening celebration featuring:

• Kicks off at 6:30 pm, at 216 Lincoln Ave., Hebron
• Live music from Sound of Eden at 7:30 pm
• Food, games and more for families, friends, and visitors

It's the perfect way to kick off a weekend before the traditional Fourth of July festivities begin.

Fourth of July Tradition

The holiday weekend in Hebron is truly a festival of marvels for people of all ages! Annual traditions have made Hebron's Independence Day celebration one of the summer's highlights. But new additions are what truly keep it an event that brings people back year after year.

Roosevelt Park is the site for most of the activities, all of which are perfect for gathering families, friends and neighbors to reconnect. 

• 7:00 am - 3:00 pm - The daytime docket includes live music, a bounce house, kids games, face painting, a cornhole tournament, a hamburger feed, Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Competition, and a Talent Show.
• 7:30 am - The Thayer County Health Services Annual Freedom Fun Run - 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk - kicks off the day for early risers!
• 9:30 am - The Presentation of Quilts by Thayer County Quilts of Valor at the Roosevelt Park Stage.
• 10:00 a.m - All-American Root Beer Floats are a perfect match for the All-American Parade! Get yours at the Roosevelt Park West Pavilion from the PEO Chapter AE of Hebron. 
• 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Live music performances by Trent Brown and Madeline Grace at Roosevelt Park.
• 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm - The Hebron Historical Preservation Committee brings Hebron History Tours via trolley! Hop on for a ride at the west side of Roosevelt Park to learn more about what makes Hebron so special.

The evening schedule includes live music leading up to the annual fireworks display, lighting up the Thayer County sky.

More Than Fireworks

What makes Thayer County's celebrations special is the people you’ll meet. Friendly families and neighbors, local businesses welcoming guests, and hard-working volunteers join together in a spirit of collaboration to create and share experiences that express their community pride.

• July 11 - Bear Fest at 316 Harbine in Alexandria is a day full of excitement, a car show and community spirit.
• July 10 -12 - Davenport Achievement Days is three full days of food, live music, friendly competition (chess, golf, pickleball, volleyball and cornhole) and a Road Rally!
• July 18 - 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm is when Beauty Lou and the Country Beast comes alive at the Thayer County Activity Center on the stage of Missoula Children’s Theatre.
• July 24 - 26 - Head over to Bruning Days for a weekend of family fun that includes music, good food, cruise nite, a trap shoot, street dance, church and a road rally!
• August 5 - 8 - The Thayer County Fair brings the best of Nebraska to the height of summer. This year’s headliners include Casey Donahew, Caleb Kenner and Joe Nichols.
• August 15 - The Byron Bash 2026 will continue the tradition of live music, fun games and tasty treats for the community!

Celebrate in Thayer County

The Fourth of July is only one highlight of a summer filled with community events across Thayer County. Countless concerts, markets, and festivals to be found throughout all the county’s communities offer many opportunities to experience small-town hospitality at its finest.

Gather your family, invite your friends, and celebrate where community comes first - in Thayer County, Nebraska!