CHESTER — The city of Chester always shines brightly on the Fourth of July.

It has become renowned for its patriotism, whether it is a bunch of silly rubber ducks swimming downtown fueled by an open water hydrant or its brilliant fireworks sparkling above the Ohio River.

Chester’s Fourth of July festivities are always held on July 4. Whether it falls on a weekday or a weekend does not matter, according to Chester Volunteer Fire Chief John Hissam, who also is a Fourth of July committee member.

The day’s activities open up at 9 a.m. with the Freedom Run 5K, which is sponsored by Hancock County Savings Bank. All signups after June 19 are not guaranteed to receive a race T-shirt. The entry fee is $25.

To register for the race visit HCSB or Summit Physical Therapy in Chester or online through run signup.com under Freedom Run 5K.

For the second year, artists can converge on the VFW parking lot for Patriotic Pavement Palooza.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. it is first-come, first-served as chalk artists pay $5 for one of 30 spaces to render their best chalk art work. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative.

Artisans and vendors will be on hand selling their wares starting at 11 a.m. on Fourth Street.

The Chester Lions Club also will be back with its annual Fourth of July car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Chester City Park. Entries are limited to 175 vehicles with the first 150 entrants getting dash plaques. In the case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to July 13.

Thirty-six trophies will be presented to the top cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Preregistration is available to expedite your arrival on show day, but it doesn’t guarantee you a spot on show day.

For information, call (412) 370-7356. Trailers will not be allowed because of space limitations.

The city’s hugely popular Duck Race is back for another year.

Starting at noon, the event is sponsored by the Sacred Heart Ladies Guild and Chester Fourth of July Committee. To compete, it costs $5 per duck for his adoption fee.

Ducks can be purchased from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays except Wednesdays. No information was available regarding ducks on race day.

For information, call Carla Simcox at 304-387-3760.

Want inflatables? The Chester Fourth of July kid zone has plenty of them.

Whether you are an adult or child, you can pay $5 for a wristband to bounce all day.

Sunshine Party will have its firehouse bounce house and slide combo, extreme obstacle course and much more there from noon to 4 p.m.

The Chester’s parade is at 4p.m.

Lineup begins at 3 p.m. for the parade, which centers around the theme, “Our Hometown..”

Live music begins at 5 p.m. with the Full Circle Band on the Chester City Park stage and Bon Journey closing it out.

Fireworks are set to go off at 10 p.m.