07/02/2026
Town of Fort Mill-54th Annual Firing of the Cannons 💥
📅 Saturday, July 4, 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m.
📍 Main Street Bandstand | Downtown Fort Mill
🎟️ Admission is FREE
Celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States of America during one of Fort Mill's most cherished Independence Day traditions!
For more than five decades, the Firing of the Cannons has brought generations together to honor our nation's founding and celebrate the spirit of freedom and community. As America marks its Semiquincentennial, the Town of Fort Mill invites residents and visitors alike to experience this patriotic tradition.
⭐ Event Highlights ⭐
🥁 Fort Mill High School Band Fife & Drum Corps opening the ceremony
250th March of Honor down Main St with Fort Mill American Legion Post 43 and VFW
🔫 Special Musket Firing
🎤 Remarks from Mayor Guynn Savage and Fort Mill Town Council
👑 Appearance by the South Carolina Strawberry Queens
🎶 Patriotic music performed by the American Bombshells and Billy Foxx
📜 Reading of the Declaration of Independence by George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Edward Rutledge Aubrey—the youngest South Carolina signer of the Declaration of Independence (Fort Mill Community Playhouse)
📖 Historical presentation on the Firing of the Cannons tradition by Aydan Blackmon
💥 Ceremonial cannon firing conducted by the Short Family, who have proudly served as Fort Mill's resident cannoneers for 53 of the event's 54 years
🍧 Complimentary Frios Pops provided by the Town of Fort Mill while supplies last
Bring your family and friends as we honor America's 250th birthday and celebrate Fort Mill's rich patriotic heritage through this longstanding community tradition.
🚗 FREE PUBLIC PARKING
• Town of Fort Mill Municipal Lot – Tom Hall Street
• Behind Downtown Merchants – Main Street
• Veterans Park – 106 N. White Street
• Massey St Lot (behind 123 N. White St)
• First Baptist Church – 121 Monroe White Street
Handicap Parking: Municipal Lot behind Vestique/beside David Martin Law, off Confederate St
🚧 STREET CLOSURES
For the safety of attendees, portions of the following streets will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
• N./S. White Street
• Main Street
• Railroad Avenue
• Confederate Street
⚠️ SAFETY & ACCESSIBILITY
• Portions of Veterans Park will be closed to the public.
• Additional areas may be restricted due to the cannon firing.
• Attendees should expect limited access to certain areas during the firing for safety reasons.
• Please follow all posted signage and instructions from Town staff, event personnel, and public safety officials.
We look forward to celebrating America's 250th Birthday and Fort Mill's proud Independence Day tradition with you! 🎆❤️🤍💙
https://www.fortmillsc.gov/564/54th-Annual-Firing-of-the-Cannons