Thousands of Bexley area residents and Capital community members are expected to turn out Saturday for the city’s celebrated Fourth of July festivities, which will be held on Capital’s campus again this year.
Early activities, like the parade and John Barr 5K walk/run, will be held off campus as usual. But evening events – music, food, entertainment, games, family-friendly activities and, of course, the fireworks display – will take place at Capital beginning at 5 p.m.
Capital’s front lawn will be transformed as area restaurants and coffee shops offer dinner, drinks and desserts on Capital’s front lawn. Vendors include:
- Anthony’s Pizza
- Bexley Natural Market
- Bexley Historical Society
- Johnson’s Ice Cream
- Bexley’s Pizza Plus
- Boy Scouts Hamburger/Hot Dog Cookout
- Cosi
- Graeter’s Ice Cream
- Parkhurst Dining Services
- Radio Café
- The Rusty Bucket
- Starbucks Coffee
- The Top Steakhouse
Meanwhile, musicians, bands and entertainers will provide fun for the entire family. The lineup includes:
- City Folk
- Music in the Meadow
- Ben Franklin impersonator and Bexley resident Ben Heckman
- Big Rockin’ Blues Band
- Kids games and sports, face painters and art activities
- CD-101 prizes
At about 9:30 p.m., the Columbus Saints Drum Line will perform and then lead a kids march to the Capital soccer field, the launch site of the fireworks show – sponsored in part by the Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce. The show will open with National Anthem sung by the Bexley High School Ensemble.
This marks the second year that Capital has partnered with Bexley Celebrations Association and Bexley Recreation to host the city’s Fourth of July celebration. Capital first opened its campus to the celebration last year, making it possible for the city to move its Fourth of July and Bicentennial celebrations back to Bexley. In recent years, the fireworks display had been moved to Wolf Park, which is Columbus just outside of city limits.
“Capital is happy to be part of this community, and this is a terrific community event,” said President Denvy A. Bowman, who will serve as grand marshal for the parade. “We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Capital again for this important Bexley tradition.”
See a complete list of events.
Located in the Columbus, Ohio, neighborhood of Bexley, Capital University is a private, four-year undergraduate institution and graduate school. Capital prepares students for meaningful lives and purposeful careers through a relevant liberal arts core curriculum and deep professional programs. Influenced by its Lutheran heritage, Capital places great emphasis on the free and open exchange of ideas, seeking out diverse perspectives, active participation in society, leadership and service. It is the oldest and one of the largest universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.