Independence Day in central Ohio brings fireworks and drones to the sky, and 5K runners and parades take to the streets. The boom of fireworks, echo of live music and roaring crowds will be in honor of the semiquincentennial, 250 years of independence.
Morning celebrations, evening festivities, multiple-day festivals and more are happening in and around Columbus. Here’s where to celebrate America 250 in central Ohio.
Franklin County
Red, White & BOOM!
Columbus’ biggest Fourth of July event, Red, White & BOOM! will be held on July 3. The Downtown event is free to the public and will feature live entertainment. The yearly BOOM of fireworks will be fired from the east bank of Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., at 10 p.m.
Doo Dah Parade
This year marks the 43rd annual Doo Dah Parade. The Parade Party lasts from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a parade lineup at noon and a step-off at 1:01 p.m. The Doo Dah “Party Zone” and parade lineup are on Park Street between West Goodale Street and Buttles Avenue.
The Doo Dah Parade is a “vibrant showcase of Columbus’ artistic energy and cultural diversity,” according to the event website. Attendees are advised to park in the lot next to Skully’s Music-Diner, the garage on Goodale or the lot next to the Convention Center.
Bexley
Bexley’s Independence Day celebration, Bexley: 250 and Beyond, now features two days of festivities. The kickoff with fireworks and evening festivities is on July 3, and the annual John Barr 5K and parade is on July 4. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m.
Clintonville
For Independence Day, Clintonville will have a celebration at Whetstone Park of Roses on July 4, according to the event’s Facebook page. More details are still to come.
Dublin
Dublin starts its Independence Day celebration on July 4 with the annual Sherm Sheldon Fishing Derby at Avery Park Pond, 7401 Avery Road, at 8 a.m.
The Independence Day parade starts at 11 a.m. at the Metro Center at the corner of Metro Place North and Frantz Road. It will continue along West Bridge Street. There will be live music and entertainment at Dublin Coffman High School Stadium, 6780 Coffman Road, from 4:30-9:45 p.m. The fireworks show is at 9:50 p.m. at the same location.
Gahanna
Gahanna will host fireworks, food and music at the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course, 220 Olde Ridenour Road, beginning at 5 p.m. Fireworks are at 10 p.m. The annual Gahanna Independence Day Parade will follow the next day. The parade will begin at Clark Hall, 366-380 Granville St., at 10:30 a.m., proceed down Granville Street and will end at the Royal Plaza Shopping Center on Stygler Road.
Grove City
Grove City is celebrating with a week of Independence Day-themed activities. On July 1, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” will play at Movies in the Park at 7:30 p.m. at Town Center Park, 3359 Park St.
On July 2, Pop Up Parks will have an Independence Day edition from 9-11 a.m. at Henceroth Park, 2075 Mallow Lane.
On July 4, there will be pre-fireworks show yard games and food trucks at Grove City High School, 4665 Hoover Road, from 6-9 p.m. The fireworks show will take place at 9:50 p.m. at Murfin Memorial Fields, 4570 Haughn Road.
On July 5, Central Ohio Brass Band will play a concert, also at Town Center Park, from 4-5:30 p.m.
Groveport
The city of Groveport will have live music, food trucks and fireworks at Groveport Madison Middle School Central, 751 Main St., on July 3. There will also be kids activities on Wirt Road. The first performer begins at 5 p.m., and the fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk.
The following day, the Red White & Kids Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Groveport Elementary’s playground, 715 Main St. Staging begins at 10 a.m. No registration is required. The main parade begins at 11 a.m., and the route travels west on Main Street, right on Hendron Road and right on Glendenning Drive. It will end at Glendening Elementary.
Hilliard
Freedom Fest in Hilliard is at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park, 3800 Veterans Memorial Drive, and includes games, children’s activities, food trucks and performances by Cole Swindell, Meghan Patrick and Devin Henry.
The park opens at 10 a.m.; the pool is open from noon to 4 p.m.; the food trucks start at 3 p.m.; and the kid zone opens at 5 p.m.
Wristband sales for the kid zone begin at 4 p.m. The first performer, Henry, begins around 5:15 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk. Admission to the concerts is free and no tickets are required for the event. Seating is first-come, first-served, but personal items can be used to save seats starting at 10 a.m.
New Albany
New Albany hosts its Pre-Declaration Party on July 3 from 7-10 p.m. at Rose Run Park, 6349 E. Dublin Granville Road. The event will feature a pie-eating contest, the Preamble of the Constitution Contest and a Paul Revere Horse Race.
There will be hula hoops, light-up toys and other activities throughout the park, plus a strolling barbershop quartet. The drone show begins at 9:45 p.m. Plus, the New Albany Symphony is performing at the Hinson Amphitheater. Tickets can be bought at newalbanysymphony.com.
For the second day of festivities, the July 4 parade is themed “Party Like It’s 1776” and starts at 11 a.m.
New Albany’s celebration also features a 5K hosted by the New Albany Symphony Orchestra, plus a 20-yard toddler crawl, one-fourth-mile kids fun run and a pet parade.
Northland
The Northland Community Fourth of July Parade starts at 10 a.m. at 4660 Karl Road and ends at 5750 Karl Road. It is a traditional parade and started in 1992.
Obetz
On July 3, Fortress Obetz is hosting Famous Fortress Fireworks from 6-10 p.m. There will be food trucks, inflatables and a fireworks show.
Reynoldsburg
Reynoldsburg’s Independence Day Celebration is on July 3 from 6-10 p.m. at Civic Park, 6800 Daugherty Drive. There will be bounce houses, food and fireworks at dusk. Parking closes at 9 p.m. or once the lot is full.
The Reynoldsburg Community Association will host a parade on July 4 at 10 a.m. The parade starts at the intersection of Rosehill Road and Main Street, travels down Main Street and ends in Huber Park.
Westerville
Westerville’s Independence Day Celebration, hosted by the Rotary Club of Westerville, starts off with a 5K walk/run at the Westerville Athletic Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave., at 7:30 a.m. At 7 a.m., there will be a Veterans Honor Guard Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at the park. The kids fun run dashes will follow at 7:15 a.m.
The Rotary Club of Westerville Independence Day Parade will step-off on State Street at 10:30 a.m. The theme is “250 Years Strong, We All Belong.”
Also at the complex is a free concert series and food truck festival from 5-9:45 p.m. The fireworks show will be launched at Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave., at 10 p.m.
Whitehall
On July 3 from 6-10 p.m., Whitehall will have a Fireworks Viewing Party at Whitehall-Yearling High School, 675 S. Yearling Road. Wristbands are required for entry and can be picked up at city hall, 360 S. Yearling Road, starting until July 3 at 2 p.m.
The Whitehall Community Celebration Association (WCCA) will host its annual Fourth of July Parade on July 4. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Whitehall-Yearling High School and ends at John Bishop Park.
Worthington
Worthington is to host a family picnic and fireworks to celebrate America 250 at Thomas Worthington High School, 300 W. Dublin Road, from 4-11 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. The event is free. Spectators are encouraged to walk or bike due to limited parking.
Worthington Hills
Worthington Hills will kick off its celebration June 27 with the Firecracker Trot 5K at Worthington Hills Elementary School, 1221 Candlewood Drive.
The Family Fun Fest will be June 28, also at Worthington Hills Elementary School. All attendees 3 and older will need a wristband. A carnival games wristband is $6 and a SuperGames plus carnival games wristband is $12.
The parade starts at noon on July 4.
Visit worthingtonhills.org/fourth-of-july-celebration to purchase tickets, sign up for the Firecracker Trot and more.
Upper Arlington
The Upper Arlington Civic Association is incorporating America 250 into this year’s Independence Day celebration. “Best Day in UA” will begin with 6:30 a.m. wake-up calls, followed by a 9 a.m. parade. The parade will start at the intersection of Northwest Boulevard and Zollinger Road, and end at the Northwest Boulevard and North Star Road.
Party in the Park begins at 5 p.m. on July 4 at Northam Park, 1880 Northam Road. There will be food and live music. At 10 p.m., there will be a drone light show and fireworks.
Fairfield County
Pickerington
Pickerington celebrations start with fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 3 at Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way. On July 4 in Olde Pickerington Village, the parade will start at 10 a.m. After the parade, Pickerington will have an America 250 celebration from 12-5 p.m.
Delaware County
Delaware
Independence Day in the city of Delaware begins with an Independence Day Parade on July 4 at 11 a.m. The parade starts at the fairgrounds’ main gate, continues to Sandusky Street and travels through Downtown to Wilmer and South Henry streets.
The Central Ohio Symphony Concert is at 7:30 p.m. on the Phillips Glen lawn at Ohio Wesleyan University, 61 S. Sandusky St. Lawn seating is free; reserved chairs can be purchased at centralohiosymphony.org.
Food truck vendors will begin serving on Hayes Street at about 5 p.m. Fireworks will launch at 10 p.m. from the city’s Cherry Street property. According to the city, good viewing spots include Henry Street and the OWU athletic fields.
Orange Township
Orange Township will have an Independence Day Parade on July 4 at 10 a.m. The parade will start at the East Orange Road roundabout by Olentangy Orange Middle School. It will continue down East Orange Road and turn at Walker Wood Boulevard. It will end at Olentangy Orange High School.
Ostrander
Ostrander Civic Association is hosting a July 4 parade at 10 a.m. The lineup starts at 9 a.m. at the corner of 2nd Street and Henry Street. Other events include a Kiddie Tractor Pull for kids ages 3 to 12 at 12:30 p.m. and an adult softball tournament at 1 p.m. There will be fireworks at dusk, which will be launched from behind the fire station. Spots to watch include Maugans Community Park, 61 N. 3rd St., or the Delaware County District Library: Ostrander Branch, 75 N. 4th St.
Powell
Powell will host an America 250 Concert Series at Village Green Park, 47 Hall St. The first event features the 122nd Ohio National Guard Army Band on June 30 at 7 p.m. There will be vendors and free root beer floats.
The following two events in the series are concerts from the Powell Community Band, Noteworthy and Capriccio Columbus on July 12 at 7:30 p.m.; and the Ohio State University Alumni Band on July 19 at 7 p.m. The events are free and open to the public.
Sunbury
In Sunbury, the Big Walnut Civic Association will host Fourth of July celebrations starting with a July 3 showing of “Captain America” at the monthly Movies on the Square event at Miller Park, 254-288 N. Walnut St., in Galena.
The Fourth of July Parade will be at 10 a.m. July 4. A later celebration with fun and fireworks will begin at 6 p.m. at Big Walnut Middle School, 555 S. Old 3C Road.
Licking County
Buckeye Lake
Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition’s (BLASST) fireworks will occur on July 3 at 9:45 p.m.. A recommended viewing spot is over the lake.
Granville
Granville Kiwanis will sponsor a four-day Fourth of July celebration starting at 1 p.m. on July 1 until 10 p.m. July 4. There will be concessions, rides, live music, games, bingo and more. Fireworks will be at 10 p.m. at Wildwood Park, 677 W. Broadway, concluding the Party in the Park from 8-10 p.m. that same night.
The mile-long parade starts around 10:45 a.m. at Wildwood Park and will continue along Broadway.
Various Fourth of July contests will be held over the four days, including a home-decorating contest, talent competition, pet contest, photography contest, writing contest, bike-decorating contest and a 5-mile race.
View the full schedule of events at granville4th.com..
Heath
In Heath, the annual Star Spangled Celebration is from 5-10 p.m. on July 2 and is at Geller Park, 580 Cynthia St. There will be live music, food vendors and children’s activities. Admission and parking are free.
Johnstown
Johnstown’s Independence Day Fireworks Celebration is on July 3 from 6-10 p.m. at Frank H. Chambers Stadium, 401 South Oregon St. There will be food vendors and celebration prior to the fireworks show to close out the night.
Newark
In Newark, an annual Independence Day celebration is held on OSU Newark’s campus on July 3 from 5-11 p.m. Entertainment includes the Licking County 4-H Band, McGuffey Lane and the Heisey Wind Ensemble. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.
Pataskala
In Pataskala, the Fourth of July celebration kicks off with a return of a once annual community tradition. The Pace with Pasion 5K, and 1-mile kids run will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Foundation Park, 10255 McIntosh Road.
Following the 5K, there will be vendors, food trucks and bounce houses. From 1-4 p.m. there will be a car show. Live music will start at 3 p.m. and continue until 9:30 p.m. The final event of the night will be fireworks at 10 p.m., according to Pataskala Mayor Mike Compton.
Madison County
Plain City
Plain City will have a Independence Day Celebration on July 4 . The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. starting at the north entrance of Pastime Park, go down Chillicothe Street, right on Main Street and return to the park’s south entrance, according to the village’s Facebook page.
The Independence Day celebration will continue throughout the day. Activities in Pastime Park, 370 N Chillicothe St., start around noon. Live music, featuring Lee Gantt, will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage.
Fireworks are set to start at 9:45 p.m. and will last about 20 minutes.
Throughout the day, the event is incorporating America 250 themes and leaning into agricultural history, Chase Evans communication manager for the Village of Plain City, said.
West Jefferson
West Jefferson 4th of July Streetfest includes three days of live music, fair food and games. On July 2 and July 3 from 5-11 p.m., there will be live music, rides and food trucks.
July 4 will also include an 11 a.m. parade down Main Street, and fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m.
Pickaway County
Ashville
In Ashville, the Fourth of July will be celebrated with a five-day tradition starting June 30 at 5 p.m. and ending July 4 after the 10 p.m. fireworks conclude. Events include a fish fry, entertainment and more. The final day includes a parade at 11 a.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.
View the full event schedule at ashville4thofjuly.com.
Reporting Intern Ella Diehl can be reached at ediehl@dispatch.com
(This story was updated to add new information regarding the festivities in Ostrander.)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Celebrate the Fourth of July with these central Ohio events
Reporting by Ella Diehl, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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By Ella Diehl, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
