Plans are set for the 2022 Westerville Independence Day celebration, parade and fireworks.
For the second straight year, fireworks will be launched from Heritage Park. The fireworks will be preceded by an entire day of activities.
More: Westerville says no to consumer fireworks
Independence Day 5K Run/Walk
The race starts at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 4.
The 5K will start at Westerville Sports Complex at 325 N. Cleveland Ave. The route travels on paved multipurpose trails through the Sports Complex, under Cleveland Avenue, then along the Westerville Community Center property, down to Heritage Park, and finally back to the Sports Complex.
A children’s fun run begins at 9:15 a.m.
You can register for the race here.
Westerville Independence Day Parade
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. St. Paul The Apostle Church at 313 N. State St. and proceed south on State St through the heart of Uptown Westerville. The parade will disperse after turning onto Electric Ave. The parade is expected to last around two hours from start to finish.
“Star Spangled and Strong” will be the theme of the 2022 parade. The Rotary Club of Westerville chose the theme suggested by Annehurst Elementary kindergarten student Oscar Oppermann.
Entries for the parade are open through June 15.
Viewing the fireworks
The fireworks begin at 10 p.m. on Monday, July 4, 2022. Heritage Park itself will be closed for safety reasons.
The Rotary Club of Westerville recommends viewing the fireworks from the Westerville Sports Complex at 325 N. Cleveland Ave. That’s at the corner of County Line Rd. and Cleveland Ave., across from the Westerville Community Center.
The show will be synchronized to patriotic music on 104.9 FM The River.
The Rotary Club is hosting a concert and food truck festival before the fireworks begin.
Concert
Three bands are slated to play, beginning at 4 p.m..
- Programmed: 4 -5 p.m.
- SugarCreek: 5–7:10 p.m.
- Long Play: 7:25–9:45 p.m.
- DJ James Minter will entertain before and between acts.
Food Trucks
Food trucks begin serving food at 5 p.m. and end at 9:45 p.m.
Parking
The city has not yet published parking information for the 2022 July 4 Celebration.
In 2021, Handicap parking was available at the Westerville Sports Complex (325 N. Cleveland Ave.) General parking was available at the Westerville Community Center (350 N. Cleveland Ave.), directly across the street from the Westerville Sports Complex. Event-goers were also able to park at other nearby businesses, unless a sign was posted saying otherwise.
In 2021, COTA//Plus extended service hours from 7 a.m. – midnight to help residents get to and from the event. Rides are $3 after (or $6 for a day pass).
Other viewing locations
If you want to avoid traffic after the show, the fireworks can also be seen from St. Paul The Apostle Church at 313 N. State St. The church will host a viewing party at the athletic fields on Moss Road outside St. Paul School.
Alum Creek Park North is also close to the launching point of the fireworks.