(Posted June 28, 2019)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The communities of West Jefferson, Plain City and London are celebrating Independence Day with everything from parades to fireworks.
- West Jefferson
Once again, the West Jefferson July 4th Streetfest Committee has put together three days of family friendly entertainment in celebration of Independence Day.
The annual festival runs July 2-4 and takes place on South Center and Pearl streets in downtown West Jefferson. The schedule of events is as follows:
Tuesday, July 2
5-11 p.m.–Rides and food
7 p.m.–Alexander band
Wednesday, July 3
5-11 p.m.–Rides and food
7 p.m.–Southern Alibi band
Thursday, July 4
10 a.m.–Parade forms
11 a.m.–Parade steps off
1 p.m.–Car show registration
1-11 p.m.–Rides and food
6:30 pm.–Southern Rock band
9 p.m.–$1,000 prize drawing
10 p.m.–Fireworks (rain date July 6)
Big O Amusements, serving festivals and events in the Columbus and Dayton areas, will set up a wide array of rides. The company was new to the Streetfest last year.
The theme for this year’s parade, set for Thursday morning, is “Freedom is Not Free.” Line-up starts at 10 a.m. The parade steps off at 11.
Military entries, local dignitaries, elected officials and the West Jefferson High School marching band will assemble at Eastgate Avenue. Antique cars, walkers, pets and decorated bicycles will assemble at the Professional Building at West Main and Mary streets. All other parade entrants should report to Inwood Road.
At the end of the parade, military units will turn left on Center Street and assemble at the town gazebo for July 4 ceremonies. All other entries will continue to the Dollar Store parking lot to disassemble. For more about the parade, call (614) 203-8830.
A car show is set for Thursday afternoon on Pearl Street behind Pat’s Pizza. Registration starts at 1 p.m. Trophies, door prizes and a 50/50 drawing are planned.
Food and craft vendors will be set up all three days. For a craft space, contact Terry Harper at (614) 507-3155.
Area musicians will provide live entertainment each night. Alexander, a two-piece out of Columbus, will perform rock, country, jazz, swing and pop on Tuesday. Southern Alibi, a four-piece Columbus-based band, will play country and southern rock on Wednesday. The Southern Rock Band, with ties to Madison County, will perform southern rock, country, and ‘70s rock on Thursday.
The winner of the $1,000 cash prize drawing will be announced at 9 p.m. Thursday, prior to the fireworks. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7005, Mike’s Pizza, or at the Streetfest.
As for the fireworks, which will go off at 10 p.m. Thursday, committee member Bob Harper said they will be “bigger and better than ever.” The committee contracts with Hamburg Fireworks Display out of Lancaster.
Harper invites everyone to come out and enjoy any or all of the three-day festival.
“We’re carrying on traditions. And this is a great, family friendly way to celebrate our nation’s birthday,” he said.
The festival’s main sponsors are Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7005 and the village of West Jefferson.
Anyone who would like to help defray the celebration’s costs can send donations to “West Jefferson July 4th Streetfest Inc.,” 880 Crescent Dr., West Jefferson OH 43162.
For general questions about the festival, call Bob Harper at (614) 879-8840.
- Plain City
The village of Plain City is hosting an afternoon and evening of fun on July 4 at Pastime Park.
Festivities kick off at noon at Pastime Park with bounce houses, food trucks and games.
The annual parade lines up at 2 p.m. at the north entrance of Pastime Park and steps off at 3. The route goes south on North Chillicothe Street, right on Main Street, and right on Park Street. Members and coaches of the state champion Jonathan Alder High School softball team are serving as the parade grand marshals.
Anyone interested in participating in the parade is asked to fill out an entry form. Forms are available at the municipal building at 213 S. Chillicothe St., on the village’s website at www.plain-city.com, and on Facebook at “Plain City July 4th Parade 2019.” For details, contact Ashley Knight at amcknight @plain-city.com or Linda Granger at lgranger@plain-city.com.
“Don’t Tell Mom,” a family band that plays music from the past five decades, will perform starting at 6 p.m. The Dublin Wind Symphony will play patriotic music from 8:30 to 10:15 p.m., before and during the fireworks, which are set to go off at 9:45.
- London
London’s fireworks will take place at the London High School athletic complex on July 3. The fireworks go off at dusk. Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the show. Admission is free.
London’s Patriotic Celebration committee continues to raise funds to cover the cost of the fireworks. Donations can be made online via the “London Ohio Patriotic Celebration” page on Facebook (look for the gofundme link), by mail (P.O. Box 367, London OH 43140), or at Wilson Printing & Graphics (158 S. Main St., London).
Prior to the fireworks display, the London City Schools Athletic Boosters will host their annual Raider Nation Fun Fest from 6 to 9 p.m. on the football field at the high school. The event features bounce houses and children’s games. Wristbands are $10.
On July 4, the London Community Organization and the city of London will host an Independence Day parade. David Dhume, former Madison County commissioner, is the grand marshal.
“With David’s retirement as county commissioner at the start of this year, we thought it would be a great time and a great way to honor him for all he has done for the progression of our county,” said Patrick Closser, London mayor.
Parade lineup is at 10 a.m. The parade steps off at 11. The route starts on Park Avenue, then heads south on Main Street, east on East First Street and ends at Walnut Street.
Anyone who would like to participate in the parade is asked to fill out a registration form. Forms are available at city hall, 20 S. Walnut St., London. For details, call Patrick Closser at (614) 357-5567.
