Holiday events: Fireworks not just on 4th

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July 4 falls on a Monday this year, but a fireworks display in Delaware County can be seen as early as this Friday.

Here’s a list of selected events in Delaware and Franklin counties:

Columbus

The 36th annual Red, White and Boom takes place on July 1 in downtown Columbus. Events start at noon in the Children’s Park; food in the Arena District starting at 3 p.m.; with the one-mile parade at 6 p.m. from Main to Front streets. There will be music on a couple of stages, with country singer Ray Scott headlining at 8 p.m. The fireworks are at 10 p.m. If you don’t want to deal with the 400,000 expected to attend, you can watch it on WCMH-TV.

Lewis Center

The Olentangy Summer Bash takes place starting at 6 p.m. July 2 in Olentangy Braves stadium, 675 Lewis Center Road. Admission is free, said the event’s Facebook page. At 10 p.m., the fireworks will begin with a soundtrack on Mix 107.9 FM.

Note that the website celebratecommunity.tv said the Orange Township parade is at 10 a.m. July 4. It begins at Oak Creek Shopping Center and ends at Orange Middle School.

Delaware

The Delaware County Farm Bureau said the Fourth of July Parade is at 3 p.m. July 4 in downtown Delaware. The route goes from the fairgrounds through downtown to Selby Field. If you want to be in the parade lineup, contact Cathy Dawson at [email protected] or 740-404-5586.

The Central Ohio Symphony’s 31st annual Fourth of July concert is at 7:30 p.m. July 4 in Phillips Glen, behind Ohio Wesleyan University’s Gray Chapel. The concert will include local singer Isis Attia; the contemporary work “American Frontier”; the Armed Forces Salute; film music from Star Trek and Pirates of the Caribbean; and the 1812 Overture. Jaime Morales-Matos will conduct the symphony. Bring your chairs for a free show, or buy a chair for $6.

An estimated 25,000 people will watch the city’s fireworks display downtown following the concert at 10 p.m. July 4. Public viewing spots include OWU athletic fields along Henry Street. To help support the cost of the $25,000 fireworks, tax deductible contributions can be made to the City of Delaware Community Fund, c/o Delaware County Foundation, 3954 N. Hampton Drive, Powell.

The events will result in a number of street closures. There will be food vendors on Hayes Street. Portable toilets will be available around the OWU campus.

Dublin

The fun starts at 8 a.m. July 4, with the annual Sherm Sheldon Fishing Derby at the Dublin Recreation Center. There will be a balloon “Inflation Celebration” at 9 a.m. in Metro Center; the Independence Day parade starts at 11 a.m. in Metro Center and goes through the historic district. A canine Frisbee contest will be held at 5 p.m. outside Dublin Coffman High School Stadium, 6780 Coffman Road.

Popular musical acts Joan Jett and KC & the Sunshine Band will perform at 8 p.m. in the stadium. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Seating is first-come first-served. Admission is free, although wristbands may be necessary. The fireworks show starts at 9:50 p.m.

For more information, visit www.dublinohiousa.gov

Ostrander

There will be a parade at 10 a.m. July 4, with a chicken barbecue during the day and fireworks at dusk, weather permitting.

Sunbury

The fireworks are at dusk on July 4 at Big Walnut High School; but there will also be an Arts and Crafts Fair at the Village Square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 2; a parade at 10 a.m. July 3; and a Picnic on the Square at 6 p.m. July 3.

Westerville

The Fourth of July parade starts at 1 p.m. July 4, with a different route due to the construction on South State Street. The parade starts from St. Paul’s Church and goes through uptown Westerville and ends at Electric Avenue. Parade viewers can donate canned and boxed food for the Westerville Area Resource Ministry along the route.

At Westerville South High School, the Westerville Symphony will perform at 3:30 p.m. McGuffey Lane will follow at 8 p.m.; and fireworks will begin at dusk, simulcast on 104.9 FM.

For more information, visit www.westervillerotary.com

From left are Delaware firefighter Charlie Cooperider; Byers vice president George B. Kauffman; OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital and OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital President Steve Bunyard; Delaware Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle; and Delaware Meijer store director Rod Cline. Byers, Meijer and OhioHealth each renewed fireworks pledges – Byers as the presenting sponsor, Meijer as the grand finale sponsor, and OhioHealth as the community spirit sponsor.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/06/web1_IMG_0990-2.jpg From left are Delaware firefighter Charlie Cooperider; Byers vice president George B. Kauffman; OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital and OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital President Steve Bunyard; Delaware Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle; and Delaware Meijer store director Rod Cline. Byers, Meijer and OhioHealth each renewed fireworks pledges – Byers as the presenting sponsor, Meijer as the grand finale sponsor, and OhioHealth as the community spirit sponsor. Courtesy photo | City of Delaware

The Central Ohio Symphony performs outdoors during its annual July 4 concert.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/06/web1_symphony-2.jpgThe Central Ohio Symphony performs outdoors during its annual July 4 concert. Courtesy photo | Central Ohio Symphony
Holiday events scheduled

By Gary Budzak

[email protected]

Gary Budzak may be reached at 740-413-0904 or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.

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