FAIRBORN — The annual 4th of July block party is getting ready to kick off next month.

Set to run from 4-10 p.m. July 3, and all day July 4, Fairborn’s annual celebration is one of the most popular in the Miami Valley according to organizers.

At 4 p.m. July 3, there will be a welcome and introduction ceremony of the American Legion doing a 21-gun salute, followed by Fairborn High School student Serenity Martinez singing the National Anthem. Mayor Dan Kirkpatrick will give comments after the introduction before live music and tractor rides start up at 5 p.m.

At the intersection of Main Street and Central Avenue, Little Mr. and Miss Fairborn contestants will be able to register from 5:15-6 p.m. The contest will begin at 6:15 p.m., and winners will be brought on stage an hour afterward at 7:15.

The first day will wrap up with more live music and closing remarks at 9:45 p.m., but the fun picks back up the next day as early as 10 a.m. with the July 4 parade and flyover. The parade will run along Broad Street and Central Avenue, continuing to Main Street.

Like last year, the block party will move to Community Park following the parade, which runs along Main Street, allowing more room for guests and vendors.

Repeating July 3, the block party begins July 4 at 4 p.m. with Martinez’s performance of the National Anthem, and comments from City Manager Mike Gebhart. More bands, including the headliner “Thunderstruck,” will perform until fireworks are set off at dark, provided by Rozzi.

Going along with the live music, celebrations, and parade are nearly 20 unique food trucks from around the community. 19 different trucks are anticipated for the two-day celebration selling a wide variety of food from all over the world.

Contact Ethan Charles at 937-502-4532.