The Stars & Stripes Social, from noon-4 p.m. Friday, July 4 — and with additional First Friday and Independence Day festivities from 5-9 p.m. at Black Squirrel Golf Club — presents dining and drinking options, vendors and Downtown shopping deals, family-friendly activities for the young and young at heart, a Classic Car Show in the GBCo. parking lot, and Fireworks on the Fairway. Photo from Downtown Goshen, Inc.

News Release

GOSHEN — Downtown Goshen, Inc. presents the Stars & Stripes Social, a two-pronged Independence Day and First Fridays Celebration.

The Friday, July 4 Stars & Stripes Social takes First Fridays revelers to Downtown Goshen from noon-4 p.m. for shopping deals, dining options, and a Classic Car Show, presented by Jayco, in the Goshen Brewing Co. parking lot.

After the car show concludes at 4 p.m., the Stars & Stripes Social reconvenes at Goshen’s Black Squirrel Golf Club for additional Independence Day festivities 5-9 p.m., including vendors, food trucks, kids activities, entertainment, and the First Fridays Beer Garden, with fireworks following.

Pictured are downtown Goshen food trucks. Photo from Downtown Goshen, Inc.

Once the sun goes down over The Maple City — in honor of the holiday — Black Squirrel presents a Fireworks on the Fairway display that is free for the entire community.

“It’s pretty rare for the Fourth of July to fall on a First Friday, and when we were planning our 2025 events, we knew this would be a chance to concoct something unique that combines the excitement of the holiday with First Fridays,” said Amanda Rose, director of First Fridays.

She continued, “With the Stars & Stripes Social, we’re going to highlight all the fun and goodness of First Fridays in Downtown Goshen, all while collaborating with Black Squirrel to deliver fireworks and festivities that families throughout our community love to enjoy.”

Prior to the nighttime fireworks at Black Squirrel, the Jayco Classic Car Show takes place from 2-4 p.m. in Downtown Goshen and features an array of fast machines for automotive enthusiasts and First Friday revelers of all ages.

This July’s Downtown Goshen First Friday includes a free fireworks show commemorating the Fourth of July. Photo from Downtown Goshen, Inc.

The Wiener Shack food truck serves up treats during the car show, and throughout both parts of the Stars & Stripes Social, eateries and food trucks offer hamburgers, barbecue, frosty beverages, and a range of items demonstrating fresh takes on American summertime food favorites.

Between noon-4 p.m., Downtown Goshen is a veritable shopper’s playground, with seasonal offerings, holiday deals, unique items, and American-made goods at the forefront. Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn, 106 North Main Street, offers a free USA can Koozie with every purchase of a Patriotic Pop, and Fables Books — at 215 S. Main — showcases popular titles and presents a Find Waldo event for kids.

Additionally, participating Downtown Goshen businesses including Found, Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn, and Fables provide a coupon — with qualifying purchases — that allows shoppers entry into a contest for a free round of golf at Black Squirrel Golf Club. To ensure contest entry, shoppers must turn in their coupons at Black Squirrel on Friday, July 4 between 5-8 p.m. at the First Fridays information table.

Meals, Deals, Wheels, And Happy Squeals

Photo from Downtown Goshen, Inc.

At Black Squirrel, select Downtown Goshen vendors are also on-site offering wares and specials, along with a tasty selection of food trucks—and the Beer Garden—offering great food and cool brews and beverages. Giving Tree Massage is also on-hand at Black Squirrel, offering healing chair massages.

Kids can enjoy adventures throughout the free, daylong event, including lawn games and in-store activities, and — at Black Squirrel, later in the evening — kids can marvel at the amazing fireworks and enjoy axe-throwing hosted by Axes & Antics.

Stars & Stripes Social Schedule:

• Noon-4 p.m. in Downtown Goshen for First Fridays dining, shopping specials, and promotions.
• 2-4 p.m. in Downtown Goshen for the Jayco Classic Car Show.
• 5 p.m. at Black Squirrel Golf Club for fireworks, festivities, vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities, and entertainment.

Find full event details for July First Fridays at DowntownGoshen.org.