This year’s 4th of July Celebration in Worthington will bring new pedestrian friendly accommodations to people who walk to the Thomas Worthington High School (TWHS) grounds for the fireworks. New this year, Dublin Granville Road (SR-161) will close to all traffic beginning at 9:45 p.m. prior to the fireworks and remain closed until 30 minutes after the display ends. West New England Street will also be closed west of Evening Street. During this timeframe, no cars will be able to enter the high school grounds and traffic will be limited or restricted in surrounding neighborhoods. Drivers should allow extra time and plan for delays.
These changes are in place to create a safer environment for people walking to and from the fireworks and allow access for emergency responders, if needed. After the fireworks, police officers will direct traffic exiting the area. Because of the road closures, drivers parked in the high school lot may be directed to turn in a direction away from their destination to allow safe passage to pedestrians leaving the event site. For example, all drivers parked in the main parking lot west of the high school will be directed to turn west (right.) We appreciate everyone’s cooperation as we work to make this event safer for everyone.
People are encouraged to park outside of the high school area and walk or bike to the event. Municipal parking lots in the downtown area will be available, including those located at the Griswold Center, Worthington United Methodist Church, and off West New England Avenue. Onsite handicap parking is available in the loop at the south entrance to the high school, or in the west lot on the northern end near the stadium. In addition, these streets will be posted No Parking on July 4th:
- Medick Way – both sides
- Tucker Drive - north side only
- Tucker Drive N.W. - both sides
- Farrington Drive - north side only
- Seabury Drive - west side only
- Sinsbury Drive North - north side only
- Blanford Drive - north side only
- Sanbridge Circle - north side only
- West New England Avenue – north side only, west of Oxford
- Evening Street – both sides from W. New England Ave. to Highgate
- Dublin Granville Road – both sides from Olentangy River Road to Evening Street.
- Dublin Granville Service Roads – both sides
- West North Street – both sides
- West Stafford – both sides
- West Clearview – both sides
- Oxford Street – both sides
Rotary Family Picnic presented by FC Bank
During the day, bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a family picnic on the TWHS lawn with food, musical entertainment, Supergames and much more! The festivities on the lawn begin at 4:00 pm and continue until approximately 9:00 pm. Bring your own picnic or food is available to purchase from a variety of food trucks or hot off the grill. The Rotary Family Picnic is presented this year by FC Bank and organized by the Dublin-Worthington Rotary.
Fireworks
The fireworks blast off at 10:00 p.m. The display can be viewed either from the Family Picnic location on the front lawn of TWHS, or at the football stadium to the west of the high school.
Weather Information
The Rotary Family Picnic and Fireworks takes place rain or shine. However, in the case of impending severe thunderstorms, lightening, and wind, City and safety officials will evaluate the circumstances and may determine the display be set off early or postponed. In the event the fireworks are postponed, the rain date is set as the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, September 4th. If a severe storm hits before or during the display, Thomas Worthington High School will be open as an emergency shelter. Announcements will be made over the PA system in the stadium and announced by emergency personnel in the family picnic areas. Updates will also be posted on the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
City Hours of Operation – July 4th
- City offices, including the Community Center and Griswold Center, will be closed on Monday, July 4th.
- Trash, recycling and yard waste collection will change to Saturday, July 9th for the holiday week.
- Anyone with questions the day of the event should call the Worthington Division of Police at 614-885-4463.
Ohio Lawmakers recently passed Ohio House Bill 172 allowing the use of consumer grade fireworks on private property on certain days of the year. A provision within this new law gives local governments the authority to ban the discharge of fireworks.
In Worthington, City Council passed Ordinance 16-2022 which prohibits the discharge and possession with intent to discharge consumer grade fireworks in the City and regulates public displays of fireworks by licensed exhibitors. The use of wire sparklers, party poppers, smoke devices, and snappers on private property year-round is not affected and is still allowed under this legislation. This new law takes effect July 1, 2022.
The Worthington Division of Fire & EMS reminds residents that the discharge of consumer grade fireworks poses a significant danger to the public and may cause serious injuries and significant property damage, especially in densely populated residential and business areas. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave them to the professionals.
Original source can be found here.
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