4th of July Live Music & Fireworks @ Inlet

Every summer, the town of Inlet, New York, perched along the quiet northern shore of Fourth Lake, comes alive in red, white, and blue. Known locally as the Inlet Independence Day Bash, this cherished July 4th celebration blends lakeside beauty with heartfelt community tradition, offering a full day of family fun, live music, and one of the most stunning fireworks displays in the Adirondack Mountains.

It’s not just a show—it’s a high-country gathering of neighbors, boaters, vacationers, and longtime residents, all converging to celebrate the nation’s birthday in classic Adirondack style.

Who It’s For

Families, boaters, music lovers, and nature seekers will find something to love at this all-day celebration. From morning ceremonies at Fern Park to dancing under the stars at Arrowhead Park Lakefront, the event is designed to feel inclusive, festive, and timeless.

Jamie Notarthomas, a regional favorite known for his energetic blend of folk and rock, headlines the evening music performance—drawing longtime fans and new listeners alike to the lakefront lawn with picnic blankets and coolers in tow.

2025 Event Schedule

Friday, July 4, 2025

10:30 AM – Flag Retirement Ceremony
Fern Park Pavilion
A solemn tribute led by local veterans and community leaders, honoring the service and symbols that define American freedom.

11:00 AM – Family Games
Fern Park
Classic field games, scavenger hunts, and relay races for all ages. Kids can enjoy face painting and balloon animals while parents relax in the shade of the pines.

7:30 PM – Live Music by Jamie Notarthomas
Arrowhead Lakefront Stage
Set against the backdrop of Fourth Lake, this lakeside concert invites everyone to settle in with lawn chairs, ice cream cones from Northern Lights Creamery, and locally brewed root beer from Screamen Eagle Pizza & Tavern.

Dusk – Fireworks Over Fourth Lake
Best viewed from Arrowhead Park or by boat
As the last notes of the concert fade, the skies light up in a dazzling reflection over the still waters of the lake—a favorite moment for photographers, paddleboarders, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of a mountain summer night lit by fireworks.

Where It Happens

The celebration is split between two scenic venues:

Fern Park (11 Loomis Road), a 20-acre community park just off Route 28, featuring a playground, open fields, and picnic shelters.

Arrowhead Park (160 Route 28), Inlet’s iconic lakefront green space with a gazebo, public dock, and panoramic views of Fourth Lake, one of the most serene bodies of water along the Fulton Chain of Lakes.

Visitors can arrive by car via Route 12 or Route 28, or by boat, tying up at the public docks near The Woods Inn—a lakeside lodge with porch seating and sunset cocktails.

For travelers coming from farther afield, Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK) and Albany International Airport (ALB) provide regional access, with scenic drives into town that wind through Moose River Plains and past the Adirondack Experience Museum in nearby Blue Mountain Lake.

Why You Should Go

Because nowhere else does the 4th of July quite like Inlet. Here, the celebration feels personal—whether you’re tossing beanbags in Fern Park or clapping for the final firework echoing off the mountains. It’s not a massive city festival or a choreographed show; it’s a grassroots gathering that honors tradition and welcomes everyone.

Signature experiences include:

• Watching fireworks shimmer over glassy lake water
• Singing along with Jamie Notarthomas under the stars
• Introducing kids to sack races and tug-of-war in the meadow
• Sharing the day’s magic over ice cream or craft beers in town

The Takeaway

The Inlet Independence Day Bash is everything a small-town 4th of July should be—heartfelt, scenic, and full of joy. It’s about live music echoing across the lake, families gathered in folding chairs, and the kind of community connection that lingers long after the last spark fades. If you’re looking to spend your holiday wrapped in Adirondack charm, this is the place.