Rochester, MN
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201 4th St. SE
Suite 170
Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 507-328-2200
TTY/TDD: More Information
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fourth of July in Rochester
Fourth of July in Rochester
Updated for 2025
Starting in 2026, the City of Rochester is transitioning away from the former 4th Fest concert event at Soldiers Field. In its place, the City will continue to support a fireworks display and explore a new media partnership to share music and community messages in a broadcast format. More details on that broadcast will be shared as they are confirmed.
In 2026, the Rochester Community Band will also present an celebratory concert on July 4 at Cascade Lake Park.
Fireworks will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 10:00 p.m. They are free and open to the public.
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4th Fest: Susan McMillan, Rochester Poet Laureate
- Date: 07/04/2021 8:20 PM - 8:30 PM
- Location: Soldiers Field
300 7th St SW, Minnesota 55902
- Artist Website URL https://www.facebook.com/susan.mcmillan.370?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMDIyNjE0OTYxNTUxNTE5M18xMDIyNjIxNDE4NzEyOTQ0Mw%3D%3D
Susan McMillan, Rochester Poet Laureate - 8:20 PM - Susan McMillan is a lifelong poet who has lived, worked, and volunteered in the Rochester area for more than 40 years. She was appointed Rochester’s second Poet Laureate by Mayor Kim Norton in April, 2019.
Susan finds inspiration in the people around her as well as in the natural world. She prefers being outdoors where she likes to garden, bicycle, hike, canoe, snowshoe, and cross-country ski.
Susan’s poetry has been widely published in local and regional publications, including Oakwood literary journal, The Talking Stick, The Moccasin, Green Blade, and Rochester Post Bulletin. Her poem, “Wicked Child”, was included in Upon Waking: 58 Voices Speak Out From the Shadows.
Her work has been part of the Red Wing Arts Poet-Artist Collaborations, Crossings Poet-Artist Collaborations, Cracked Walnut traveling literary reading series, and the Minnesota Voices program. Among the recognitions she has received for her work, she is delighted to hold a regional award from last year’s Maria W. Faust Sonnet Contest in Winona.
Most recently, Susan helped create Bright Light Stories in the Night, an illustrated poetry e-chapbook of work by poets and artists from southeast Minnesota, which was read in a virtual program by Rochester area celebrities.
Susan believes that poetry is for everyone, and her greatest joy is inspiring poetry in others. She has led workshops as well as helped develop community poetry programs and projects through RCTC’s Learning Is Forever program, UMR Connects, and the Rochester Public Library. She is a long-time member of the League of Minnesota Poets and a founding member of Southeastern Minnesota Poets of Rochester.This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support Grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
Additional Information
Supporters & Partners
Rochester's Fourth of July fireworks display is sponsored by the Office of the Mayor. Rochester Parks & Recreation, the Rochester Fire Department, and the Rochester Police Department make the annual fireworks display a safe and welcoming community experience.
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Fireworks Sponsor |