Event Overview
America 250 Celebration
Ignite the Night…All Weekend Long transforms Downtown Youngstown into a weekend-long celebration of America’s 250th. Following the postponement of the original July 5 event due to severe weather, the celebration has expanded to include two days of entertainment, arts, music, shopping, food, family activities, and community experiences.
Kick off the weekend on Friday, August 7, with First Fridays – America 250 Celebration, YO! Nights, and OH WOW! On Tap, then return on Saturday, August 8, for the Youngstown Flea, downtown shopping and dining, and the signature Ignite the Night celebration featuring the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Whether you join us for one event or spend the entire weekend downtown, you’ll experience the best of Youngstown while celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary.
- Friday, August 7, 2026
- Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Downtown Youngstown
Friday Night
5:00 PM
Arts, music, vendors, history tours and community activities throughout downtown.
Saturday
2:00 PM
Live entertainment, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and family activities at Wean Park.
Fireworks Finale
9:50 PM
A spectacular fireworks display over Downtown Youngstown and the Mahoning River—synchronized to music for a truly unforgettable close to the evening.
Schedule of Events
Times and activities may change as the agenda is subject to revision.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
BopMan
First Friday Stage on Phelps Street
6:00 PM - 6:20 PM
Lit Youngstown
First Friday Stage on Phelps Street
6:20 PM - 8:00 PM
BopMan
First Friday Stage on Phelps Street
7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Walk of Fame
Federal Street Stage
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
JAM-HI Productions
Federal Street Stage
With vendors and yard games on
Phelps Street and Federal Street!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
2:00 PM - Sunset
Youngstown Flea at
Wean Park
6:00 PM
Amphitheatre Gates Open
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
SMARTS Beats Drum Circle
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Rick Ward Project Performance
8:30 - 9:15 PM
Youngstown Symphony Orchestra Performance
9:15 PM - 9:30 PM
Intermission
9:30 PM
Youngstown Symphony Orchestra Performance
9:50 PM - 10:15 PM
Youngstown Symphony Orchestra Finale with Fireworks
Wean Park will feature free kite kits as part of the America 250 and Ohio Homecoming Picnic initiatives (while supplies last), along with a lineup of local food trucks. SMARTS will have a table with hands-on arts activities for children of all ages from 6-8pm. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the fireworks from either the amphitheatre or the park.
Visitor Information
Ignite The Night Youngstown is an ASL inclusive event
To help everyone arrive safely and efficiently, please review the recommended routes below based on your direction of travel.
Be sure to reference the accompanying Parking & Traffic Map.
- FREE Ignite the Night event parking is available in all parking lots highlighted in RED on the map.
- The GREEN parking lot is reserved for ADA parking and is located adjacent to the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.
- Free continuous shuttle service will operate before and after the event from the M70 Parking Lot (YSU) and the Stambaugh Auditorium parking lots.
Free Parking Locations
- Covelli Centre Parking Lots
- Freeman Court Parking Lot (Directly North of Wean Park)
- ADA Parking – Amphitheatre Parking Lot (adjacent to the venue)
Free Shuttle Service
Continuous shuttle service will operate from 6:00PM – 11:00 PM and after the event from:
- M70 Parking Lot (YSU Campus)
- Stambaugh Auditorium Parking Lots
Coming from Market Street (Northbound)
Due to road closures:
- Turn onto Williamson Avenue
- Continue to South Avenue
- Follow South Avenue to E. Front Street
- Continue downtown to the Covelli Centre parking lots.
Coming from Mahoning Avenue (Eastbound)
To Covelli Centre Parking
- Turn right onto Federal Street
- Make an immediate right onto Vindicator Square
- Turn left onto Front Street
- Turn right into the Covelli Centre parking lots.
To Shuttle Parking
- Continue straight on Mahoning Avenue, which becomes Fifth Avenue
- Follow Fifth Avenue to either:
- M70 Parking Lot (YSU), or
- Stambaugh Auditorium parking lots
- Board the free shuttle to the event.
Coming from US-422 Eastbound
- Take the Belmont Avenue exit to Madison Avenue
- Turn either right or left onto Fifth Avenue
- Continue to the M70 Parking Lot (YSU) or Stambaugh Auditorium parking lots
- Ride the free shuttle to the event.
Coming from I-680 Northbound
- Take US-62
- Exit at the Madison Avenue Expressway
- Turn right onto Albert Street
- Turn right onto Oak Street
- Continue as Oak Street becomes E. Raven Avenue
- Turn left onto Walnut Street
- Follow Walnut Street directly into the Covelli Centre parking lots.
Parking Reminder
If the lots near the Covelli Centre & Amphitheatre are nearing capacity, we encourage attendees to use the M70 (YSU) or Stambaugh Auditorium parking lots and take advantage of the free continuous shuttle service to and from the event. The ADA parking lot, highlighted in GREEN on the map, is reserved for accessible parking and is located immediately adjacent to the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.
Sponsors & Partners
Bonnie & Lee Burdman
Deanna & Gregg Rossi
Julius Oliver
Mike Ray
