Twelve score and 10 years ago, the U.S. Founding Fathers made protest against an English constitutional monarch—King George III—who was acting unconstitutionally.
Marking the august memory, Cottage Grove celebrated Independence Day on Sunday, July 5th with fireworks at Kingston Park, put on by the city of Cottage Grove and Cottage Grove Lions Club in conjunction with sponsors including 3M, Renewal by Andersen, Northpoint, Hy-Vee, and Tennis Sanitation.
Starting at 5 p.m., the pre-fireworks festivities included food, fun, and games, along with raffle ticket giveaways to kids for new bikes and other giveaways.
The Lions Club provided hotdogs, hamburgers, drinks and glow sticks, while other vendors came with roasted corn on the cob and cheese curds, among other food options.
Cottage Grove Public Safety put out a message days earlier announcing increased presence during the celebration.
“While we are all excited for the Cottage Grove Lions Club Freedom Weekend Finale Family Celebration at Kingston Park this Sunday evening, Cottage Grove Public Safety is planning to ensure that everyone has a safe and fun event.
Given recent events in surrounding communities, and out of an abundance of caution, Cottage Grove Public Safety will have an increased presence at Kingston Park for this Sunday’s event.
It is important to reiterate that this is purely out of an abundance of caution, and it’s also important to note that Cottage Grove Public Safety is there every year to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the festivities safely.”
Going on to denote parking changes with ADA parking near the entrance and off Indian Boulevard South with staff and volunteer parking in the event, Cottage Grove Public Safety called for neighborliness.
“We hope that everyone has a safe and fun weekend, and we can’t wait to see everyone out at Kingston to have a good time.”
At the park Sunday, event goers could find burgers and hot dogs by the Cottage Grove Lions, roasted sweet corn and cheese curds by Just Roasting, the 204th Army Band, Cottage Grove and county public safety personnel, the Cottage Grove Fire department ladder truck, and Mik Mart ice cream truck.
Things at the park went largely uneventful, with fireworks after dusk. Police meanwhile were called to a nearby altercation after the fireworks, with details shared in a press release from the city:
“On the evening of July 5, 2026, at approximately 10:46 p.m., CGPD officers responded to a call of an alleged altercation occurring in the area of Jamaica Avenue and Indian Boulevard. This altercation occurred after the fireworks and not at Kingston Park. 
“The report of an alleged firearm was never verified by officers. 
“As officers investigated the call, an officer witnessed a juvenile female chasing someone on foot in the general area.
“When the officer tried to intervene, the juvenile and her mother failed to comply leading to a use of a chemical irritant and arrests.
“These two individuals were then placed under arrest and transported to the Cottage Grove Police Department and later released pending charges.
“As this incident is under investigation, no further information is available at this time.”