Here's where to find Fourth of July fireworks, parades and other events in central Ohio
Fireworks, parades and other red-white-and-blue festivities will take place across central Ohio to ring in the Fourth of July weekend.
Communities across the region will offer family-friendly fun leading up to Independence Day, with events beginning Friday.
Find out below where you can celebrate, and which websites you can go to for more event information.
All events listed are free and will take place on July 4 unless otherwise noted.
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Franklin County
Red, White & Boom parade, festival and fireworks
Columbus-based nonprofit Red, White & Boom will bring the largest Independence Day celebration in the Midwest to downtown Columbus on July 3. Attracting over 400,000 visitors each year, the single-day event will feature a parade, street festivals and two stages hosting live music entertainment from noon through 10:20 p.m.
The BOOM! Street Festival will kick off the day’s festivities at 11 a.m. and a parade will follow later, at 5:30 p.m., starting from the Main Street Bridge. Fireworks presented by Franklin University will begin at 10 p.m. from the east bank of Genoa Park.
Information: redwhiteandboom.org
Bexley 5K and live music
The city returns with its Independence Day celebration starting with the John Barr 5k Run/Walk at 8 a.m. on July 4. Early race registration has closed, but regular registration is still open for $35 through July 3 at 11:59 p.m. Those interested can register now online. The race will be followed by a parade at 9:30 a.m. beginning at Remington Road and Maryland Avenue. Music and festivities will commence at 6 p.m. on Capital University’s Main Street lawn, wrapping up with fireworks at 10 p.m. on the lawn.
Information: bexley.org/fourth/
Columbus Doo Dah Music Fest and Parade
The 40th Annual Doo Dah Parade will bring satire and jubilee to the Short North Arts District at 1 p.m. All who are interested are invited to line up for the parade at noon on Park Street. With no entry fee and no pre-registration, anyone is welcome to march in the “craziest parade in history.” Parade-goers can also enjoy live music in Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St., from 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. Brian Phillips, a radio personality on CD 92.9 FM, will be this year’s "less-than-grand marshal."
Information: doodahparade.com
Dublin July 4 celebration
The city of Dublin will kick off festivities at 8 a.m. with the Sherm Sheldon Fishing Derby at Avery Park Pond (corner of Wynford Drive and Avery Road). A parade featuring floats, marching bands and community groups will follow at 11 a.m. beginning at Metro Center in downtown Dublin. At 4:30 p.m., an evening celebration will take place at Dublin Coffman High School, 6780 Coffman Road. Ann Wilson, lead singer of rock bands Heart and Tripsitter, will headline.
Information: dublinohiousa.gov/community-events/independence-day-celebration/
Gahanna fireworks, parade
On July 3, the city of Gahanna will host an Independence Day Celebration complete with food vendors and live music beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course. Fireworks will be launched from the course at 10 p.m. Those watching from their cars can tune into Rewind 103.5/104.3 for the city’s Independence Day soundtrack.
A parade hosted by the Gahanna Lions Club is set for July 4, beginning at 10:30 a.m. along Granville Street.
Information: gahanna.gov/gahanna-summer-event-details/
Grove City fireworks
Grove City plans to host a fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. from Murfin Fields, 4570 Haughn Road. A soundtrack on Qfm96, WLVQ-96.3 radio will be paired with the show. For safety reasons, spectators are not permitted at Murfin Fields, but free parking is available at Windsor Park, Hayes Intermediate and J.C. Sommer elementary schools.
Information: grovecityohio.gov/topic/grovecityfireworks/
Groveport July 4 celebration
Groveport will host a day full of festivities beginning with a Red, White & Kids parade at 10:30 a.m. starting at 751 Main St. A main parade will begin at 11 a.m. starting from Richardson Road. After both parades, the city will host live music and other family-friendly activities on Wirt Road throughout the afternoon. The day will finish with fireworks at dusk paired with background music on 88.3 radio.
Information: groveport.org/449/July-4th
Hilliard Freedom Fest, fireworks and parade
The city of Hilliard will hold its Freedom Fest celebration on Saturday at Municipal Park, 3800 Veterans Memorial Drive. Food trucks will start serving at 3 p.m., followed by family-friendly activities at 5 p.m. and live music at 5:15 p.m. Fireworks will be launched at dusk (approximately 9:45 p.m.) with a soundtrack broadcasting from WCLT-T100.
Davidson High School student Lisa Curtis will kick off the fireworks singing a rendition of the national anthem at 9:45 p.m.
On July 4, the Franklin County Agriculture Society will host a parade at 9 a.m. starting from the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
Information: hilliardohio.gov/freedom-fest/
New Albany July 4 festivities
New Albany will host an Independence Day Parade & Festival featuring live entertainment, food trucks, bounce houses, face painters, balloon twisters and caricature artists. The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with a parade starting from the New Albany Primary School parking lot.
The festival will begin at 6 p.m. at 6600 E. Dublin-Granville Road. Featured among the festival’s live entertainment is the Ohio National Guard 122nd Army Band and The Fabulous Johnson Brothers.
Fireworks will be held at 9:45 p.m.
Information: cm.newalbanychamber.com/events/details/independence-day-parade-festival-17137
Northland parade
The Northland Community Council will host its 59th annual Fourth of July Parade beginning at 11 a.m. at 4660 Karl Road. This year’s grand marshal is nationally renowned basketball player and Northland High School alum Georgeann Wells.
Information: northlandparade.org
Reynoldsburg parade and fireworks
On July 3, Reynoldsburg will hold its Independence Day Celebration at Civic Park, 6800 Daugherty Drive. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and feature entertainment, bounce houses, food vendors, a fun kids’ zone and a fireworks display. Fireworks will be held at 9:45 p.m.
On July 4, the Reynoldsburg Community Association will host its annual parade beginning at 10 a.m. from the corner of Rosehill Road and Main Street.
Information: reynoldsburg.gov/339/Independence-Day-Celebration
Upper Arlington parade and fireworks
A parade will kick off the day’s festivities beginning around 9 a.m. at the intersection of Northwest Boulevard and Zollinger Road. Traffic closure details for the parade can be found online. Mike Borders, coordinator of Upper Arlington Special Olympics, will serve as this year’s grand marshal.
Party in the Park will begin at 5 p.m. in Northam Park and feature music, award presentations and food trucks. The fireworks display will start at 10 p.m.
Information: directors1933.uaca.org/wordpress/events/independence-day/
Westerville Independence Day Celebration
The rotary club will host its 61st annual Independence Day Celebration under the theme “Red, White and Blue and Liberty Too” beginning with a Vets 5K Run/Walk at the Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave, at 8 a.m. A Kids Fun Run will be held for young children shortly before, at 7:45 a.m.
A parade along State Street will kick off at 10:30 a.m. from Old County Line Road. A free concert will begin at 4 p.m. and a food truck festival will start at 5 p.m. at the Westerville Sports Complex. A fireworks display will launch at 10 p.m. from Heritage Park.
Information: westervillerotary.com
Whitehall fireworks
On July 3, the city will host a fireworks viewing party starting at 6 p.m. at Whitehall Yearling High School, 675 S. Yearling Road. Tickets, which are required for entry, can be picked up from the city Service Department at City Hall now through 5 p.m. on Friday.
The Whitehall Community Celebration Association will also be hosting an Independence Day Parade with details regarding date and location coming soon online.
Information: whitehall-oh.us/429/Fireworks-Viewing-Party
Worthington picnic and fireworks
The 18th annual Rotary Family Picnic will be held from 5 through 9 p.m. in the baseball outfield north of Thomas Worthington High School, 300 W Dublin Granville Road. Fireworks will be launched at 10 p.m. with viewing locations available in the grandstands of the school's football stadium and on the grassy area to the south of the stadium and track.
Those who are able are encouraged to walk or bike to the day's festivities, with parking extremely limited due to construction. Families can text WORTHOH to 888777 for event information and emergency updates.
Information: https://worthington.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1533
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Delaware County
Delaware fireworks and parade
The City of Delaware will kick off its festivities with a parade at 11 a.m., taking off from the county fairgrounds' Liberty Street gate on Pennsylvania Avenue. Later, the Central Ohio Symphony will perform an outdoor concert at 7:30 p.m. on the Ohio Wesleyan University campus, with outdoor seating available at Phillips Glen lawn.
The day will finish off with fireworks at 10 p.m. from the city’s Cherry Street property.
Information: delawareohio.net/home
Orange Township Independence Day Parade
Orange Township will be hosting an Independence Day Parade under the theme "Red, White and You" beginning at 10 a.m. from the round-about in front of Olentangy Orange Middle School, 2680 E Orange Road. Limited parking for those watching the parade will be available at Olentangy Orange High School, 2840 E Orange Road.
More information: https://www.orangetwp.org/township/parade/
Sunbury Square July 4 celebration
Sunbury Square will be hosting an antiques, arts and crafts fair throughout the day, from 8 a.m. through 2 p.m. Vendors can register online for $40 in advance or register the day of for $60.
The Big Walnut Civic Association will also be hosting an Independence Day parade at 10 a.m., followed by Kid Zone on the Square at 11 a.m. The Kid Zone fee is $5 per kid with a family cap of $20, cash only.
Family-friendly fun will take place in Sunbury Square throughout the rest of the afternoon, including a hot dog-eating contest at 12:30 p.m., followed by a pie contest and a “Men in Heels” race. At dusk, fireworks will be displayed at the old Big Walnut High School, 555 S. Old 3C Highway.
Information: sunburybigwalnutchamber.com
Fairfield County
Buckeye Lake BLASST
On July 3, the Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition (BLASST) will be launching fireworks at 10 p.m. from Fairfield Beach.
Information: facebook.com/buckeyelakeblasst
Lancaster parade and fireworks
Lancaster-Fairfield County will host a parade at 10 a.m. starting from the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. Right after the parade, everyone is welcome to enter the fairgrounds and enjoy a day full of festivities — including a crafts show, live entertainment, kid-friendly rides and a raffle of local goods. A fireworks display will close out the day at 10 p.m.
Information: 4thofjulylancaster.com
Pickerington parade and fireworks
On July 3, the City of Pickerington will be launching fireworks at 10 p.m. from Pickerington Central High School, 300 Opportunity Way. On Independence Day, the city will be hosting a parade starting at 10 a.m. through Olde Pickerington Village.
Information: ci.pickerington.oh.us/departments/parks-recreation/special-events/july-4th-celebration/
Licking County
Granville contests, food and fireworks
Festivities will entertain crowds Saturday through July 4 in downtown Granville, with a fair running 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. July 1 - July 3. On July 4, the Granville Rotary will host a Firecracker Five Race starting at 7:45 a.m. followed by a Decorated Bicycle Contest at 10:30 a.m. and Mile Long Parade at 10:45 a.m. The fair will be running from noon through 8 p.m. that day.
Featured on the weekend’s event schedule is bingo at Opera House Park, a Granville High School Jazz Band Concert and “Granville’s Got Talent” taking place July 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Fireworks will take place Sunday, July 2 at Wildwood Park at 10 p.m.
Information: granville4th.com/schedule
Independence Day festivities: How to celebrate July 4 in Licking County
Utica July 4 celebration
The Village of Utica will be hosting a Cornhole Tournament at South End Park, 60 Blacksnake Road, starting at 6:30 p.m. The entry fee is $10 per team, with all proceeds going to the Utica Merchants Association’s scholarship fund.
Information: facebook.com/VillageOfUtica
Madison County
Plain City July 4 celebration
The Village of Plain City will be hosting a day full of festivities, starting with a parade at 10 a.m. beginning from Pastime Park and moving down Chillicothe Street. Those interested can register to be in the parade online. A farmers market will be held from 9 a.m. through noon in in Bicentennial Park, paired with live music, bounce houses and face painting.
Fireworks will close out the day at 9:45 p.m.
Information: plain-city.com/services-2
West Jefferson festivities
West Jefferson Streetfest will take place Sunday through July 4, featuring rides, food and live entertainment downtown on South Center Street and Pearl Street.
On the Fourth of July, a parade will kick off the day at 10 a.m. at the same location. A fireworks display will be held at 10 p.m.
Information: facebook.com/westjeffstreetfest
Pickaway County
Ashville parade, fireworks
A five-day celebration featuring a fish fry, free entertainment, daily ride specials, karaoke and the Miss Ashville 4th of July Contest will take place Friday through July 4 at Ashville Park across from 200 East Station Street.
On July 4, a Grand Parade will set off at 11 a.m. Fireworks will be displayed at 10 p.m.
Information: ashville4thofjuly.com/index.html
Union County
Marysville parade
The City of Marysville will host an Independence Day Parade beginning at 10 a.m. at the American Legion Park, 205 Park Ave.
Information: marysvilleohio.org
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Your guide to Fourth of July fireworks, parades in central Ohio
