The Granville Independence Day celebration is the largest in Licking County, spanning four days and featuring fireworks and its “mile-long” parade. The theme this year, inspired by the family and school-class reunions that happen around July 4, is “Home Sweet Home.”
The celebration organized by the Granville Kiwanis will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, when the Midway concessions and rides open on Broadway in the heart of the village. Fireworks will be at 10 p.m. that night at Wildwood Park on West Broadway, preceded from 8-10 p.m. by the “Party in the Park,” featuring live music.
The parade begins on West Broadway at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, July 4, and will move west to east through the village, concluding at Granger Street. One of the highlights of the week for many is the “Games for All Ages” – including old fashioned sack races and the ever-popular egg toss. Those events will be held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on July 4.
Live music and entertainment will be featured throughout the four days at the Broadway stage in front of the CVS pharmacy. A complete schedule can be found online.
Here are highlights of other celebrations around Licking County:
Pataskala, June 28: The Summit Station Lions Club will host this year’s Independence Day celebration at Foundation Park, 10255 McIntosh Road, with events and activities all day and fireworks at 10 p.m.
Heath, July 2: The City of Heath will host its “Star Spangled Celebration” from 5-11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at Geller Park, 580 Cynthia St. Fireworks will go off at 10 p.m.
Buckeye Lake, July 3: The Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition fireworks will be held at 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, at Fairfield Beach.
Johnstown, July 3: The celebration will be held at Frank H. Chambers Stadium, 401 S. Oregon St., from 5-10:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, with fireworks starting at dusk.
Newark, July 3: The 25th annual Independence Day Concert and Fireworks will be held from 5-11 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, at the Martha Grace Reese Amphitheater on the Ohio State University Newark campus.
Buckeye Lake, July 4: The annual Buckeye Lake Boat Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 4, at Liebs Island and travel down the lake to the Waterfront.
Hebron, July 4: The village will host a parade and fireworks. The parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4, at Hebron Village Center and travels through the village to Canal Park. Festivities will be held at the nearby Hebron Nazarene Church, and fireworks will go off at dusk.
Find more events and activities on the Explore Licking County calendar.
Alan Miller writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.