25th Anniversary Independence Day Celebration

The Gilbert Reese Family Foundation, Central Ohio Technical College (COTC), The Ohio State University at Newark and community sponsors invite you to the 25th anniversary Independence Day Concert and Fireworks celebration.

This summer shindig will take place Thursday, July 3, from 5-11 p.m. on the schools’ shared campus in Newark. Admission and parking are free.

Join us for a spectacular night of delicious food, live music and patriotic festivities. More than 15 local food trucks and vendors located across campus will offer a vast variety of food and drink options. Local groups the Licking County 4H Band and the Sticks and Stones will perform throughout the evening. The celebration will finish with a phenomenal fireworks display, sponsored by the City of Newark and accompanied by the Newark Granville Symphony Orchestra. The duration of this year’s fireworks show will be extended in honor of the event’s 25th anniversary.

Event schedule

5 p.m.: Food vendors open
5:30 p.m.: Licking County 4-H Band pre-show — John Gilbert Reese Center lawn (near Circle of Friends artwork)
6:30 p.m.: The Sticks and Stones — Martha Grace Reese Amphitheatre
8 p.m.: Newark Granville Symphony Orchestra — Martha Grace Reese Amphitheatre
10 p.m.: Fireworks
10:30 p.m.: The Sticks and Stones encore — Martha Grace Reese Amphitheatre

Additional information

You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Pets, alcohol, tobacco products, grills, drones and personal fireworks are not allowed.

Reserving space on the campus before 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, is prohibited. Personal items found on campus before that time will be considered abandoned property and discarded.

For additional details — including event rules, a map and the public safety plan for road closures and traffic pattern changes  visit go.osu.edu/fireworks.

Sponsors

COTC and Ohio State Newark want to sincerely thank the City of Newark, Licking Memorial Health Systems, Newark Rotary Club Foundation, Park National Bank, The Energy Cooperative, and Wilson Shannon & Snow for sponsoring this year’s celebration.