4th of July in Bexley
Evening Activities and Fireworks Tickets Update:
Tickets are sold out for the Bexley 4th of July evening activities and fireworks. We have set aside 2,000 additional tickets for day-of registration, beginning at 5:00 pm at Main and Drexel.
Independence Day is a special day every year in Bexley. Alumni, friends, and extended family travel to Bexley, year after year, to reconnect with the community. The streets are filled with laugher and smiles, and the evening ends with an amazing fireworks display and community celebration on Capital University's Main Street lawn!
A Bexley favorite! We kick off Independence Day with the annual John Barr 5k, followed by the infamous parade, community celebration on Main Street, and a mesmerizing display of fireworks. You won't want to miss this one!
Quick Links
4th of July Overview
The City of Bexley is excited to announce that all traditional Independence Day celebrations are taking place on Sunday, July 4th! Celebrations will include the John Barr 5k, parade, evening celebrations, and fireworks. The City has worked with public health experts and Franklin County Public Health to ensure our plans will keep residents, guests, and volunteers as safe as possible. The City encourages all participants to follow CDC guidelines this 4th of July, depending on whether or not they are fully vaccinated.
Starts at 8:00 am
The John Barr 5k, presented by Bexley Automotive, is a run that is routed through Bexley, commencing from and returning to Jeffrey Mansion at 165 N. Parkview Avenue. The race begins at 8:00 am sharp, which will leave plenty of time after the race to watch or participate in the parade.
Pre-Registration Fee:
$30 through July 3 at 11:59 pm
Day of Fee: $35
Early Packet Pickup:
Save time in line on race morning and stop by Jeffrey Mansion to get your race packet and gear ahead of time.
- Wednesday, June 30th between 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
- Thursday, July 1st: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
- Friday, July 2nd: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Race day packet pickup will be available inside Jeffrey Mansion starting at 6:30 am on race morning, July 4th.
Click here to register for the John Barr 5k!
Parade
Starts at 9:30 am
We are excited to bring this community favorite back in 2021! The parade will start at 9:30 am, and will follow a modified parade route to better allow social distancing. The expanded route will go farther south to Astor Avenue, turning onto Euclaire Avenue, which is a high traffic area on the parade route. To view the expanded route, please click here.
If your organization is interested in participating in the parade this year, please register by clicking here. Parade participants who are not fully vaccinated are asked to wear a mask for the duration of the parade, even if participants will be walking. More information about parade safety and COVID-19 guidelines will be provided to the contact person for each parade entry.
2021 Parade Theme: "Come Together"
Evening Celebrations & Fireworks
Tickets Required
From 6:00 - 11:00 pm
To ensure safe spacing for the evening celebrations and fireworks, we are using a ticketing system for this years' event. Tickets are free, and residency in Bexley is not required to register. Online tickets are sold out. We have set aside 2,000 additional tickets for day-of registration, beginning at 5:00 pm at Main and Drexel.
Entry will not be permitted without a ticket, and minors must be registered by a parent or guardian.
Schedule for the Evening:
GATES OPEN AT 5:00 pm
6:00 - 9:45 pm Food tents and Kids Activities
6:00 - 6:45 pm Music in the Meadow Capital Front Lawn
6:45 - 7:00 pm Music in the Meadow and Big Rockin’ Blues Band
7:00 - 8:15 pm Big Rockin’ Blues Band
8:15 - 8:45 pm Independence Day Trivia with Ben Franklin
Welcome of Bexley Veterans and First Line Responders and Citizen of the Year
8:45ish - 9:50 pm Big Rockin’ Blues Band with local singers
10:00 - 10:20 pm: Fireworks Display
Frequently Asked Questions
Online tickets for the Bexley 4th of July evening activities and fireworks have been fully reserved. We have set aside 2,000 additional tickets for day-of registration, beginning at 5:00 pm at Main and Drexel.
Please do! Residency in Bexley is not required to reserve a ticket.
Tickets are free!
Unvaccinated guests are asked to wear a mask while walking around, socializing, or standing in line. Masks will not be required when sitting down. We encourage all residents to follow CDC guidance at all of the 4th of July activities, even if an individual is fully vaccinated.
The parade route was temporarily expanded this year to better accommodate social distancing. The route will go one block farther south to Astor Avenue, turning right (north) onto Euclaire Avenue. This location is traditionally a high traffic area on the parade route.
To be equitable to all religious groups in our community, Bexley City Council voted and approved to celebrate the 4th of July on the day it falls on.