Sky-high patriotism and maybe a bigger-than-ever crowd in more than a decade.
That’s how Ceraland Park Assistant Executive Director Corey Behymer somewhat describes the biggest event — a larger-than-normal fireworks show visible in a larger area — set for dusk today at the recreation locale southeast of Columbus at 3989 S. County Road 525E. With the huge QMIX Musical Fireworks currently rescheduled until Labor Day weekend, this remains the only public fireworks show in the immediate area.
So Behymer is expecting 10,000 to 12,000 people or more Saturday afternoon and evening alone.
“We already have been busier than ever before (since the early 2000s),” Behymer said. “I think the fact that people finally can get out and really enjoy the outdoors has something to do with that.”
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Ceraland is making available a larger area to watch the rockets’ red glare and more so people can safely distance, according to Behymer. The park also has moved its concerts, including today’s evening performance from local popular ensemble Night Owl Country Band, from the amphitheater to a nearby, grassy area that can accommodate thousands if necessary.
And with a weekend schedule chock full of camping, paddle boats, mini golf, swimming at the pool, children’s games, Ceraland has made other changes as well. Admission is now $10 per vehicle, rather than on a per person basis. And there also are one-price bracelets for the mix of activities for Saturday, including $13 for those ages 5 to 12 and $16 for those 13 and older.
Meade Village parade
Though many Fourth of July celebrations have been put on hold, the Mead Village Parade is still on, said organizer Kerrie Breeden.
“This is the 62nd year for it,” Breeden said. “And it’s never been canceled.”
The parade’s lineup is at 9:45 a.m. in Mead Village Park and the march begins at 10 a.m.
“We basically just kind of set up a little table and shelter house that has a few snacks and drinks on it for people,” Breeden said. “And then we will have a police car, fire truck, anybody in the neighborhood that wants to drive their own vehicle or golf cart, four wheeler, lawn mower. If they want to decorate, the kids decorate their bikes, Power Wheels and sometimes dress-up just in patriotic attire.”
Breeden said that this year’s parade will not be any different than usual.
“If you want to wear a mask, it’s optional,” she said. “It’s up to you and just try to social distance where you can.”
Breeden said that when the subject of the parade came up on the neighborhood’s Facebook page, several residents expressed the sentiment that they needed the parade.
“We are running it because everybody needs that togetherness … the fun events that we’re all kind of missing out on,” Breeden said.
Forest Park parade
Columbus’ Forest Park neighborhood is still holding its annual Fourth of July Parade as well. According to parade organizer and former host Harriet Armstrong, the parade has been a neighborhood staple for more than 20 years.
Current parade host Karen Broad said participants can decorate and march their bicycles, tricycles, cars and lawn mowers.
“We have so many new, young families,” Broad said. “It’s an older neighborhood, of course, and in the last few years, it’s been a big transition into new, young families. And especially, since COVID, to see everybody walking, there’s so many people in the neighborhood with strollers and wagons and little kids on bicycles that it would be a shame to not give them opportunity.”
Broad added that there is usually a firetruck at the parade, and the mayor is always invited to attend.
Participants should line up at 3373 Woodland Parkway at 9:30 a.m.; the parade will begin around 10 a.m., following the neighborhood’s main road from Woodland Parkway to Nugent Boulevard to Hawthorne Drive.
Usually, there are games and refreshments at the host’s house after the parade, but those parts have been canceled to promote social distancing.
“Hopefully, next year, we’ll have the biggest celebration ever,” said Broad.
Armstrong said that there will likely be face coverings and social distancing during the parade.
Firecracker 5k race
If you’re looking for something a little more fast-paced, the Columbus Running Club’s annual Firecracker 5k kicks off at 8 a.m. outside of LHP Engineering Solutions headquarters on 1888 Poshard Drive. While the event’s online registration for participants closed yesterday, spectators are welcome to attend. Running club member and 5k organizer Jeff Niewedde said that the event will take place, “rain or shine,” with tents going up if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
“I know a lot of people are ready to get out and run in a race or they’ve been training on their own and ready to come out and compete again,” Niewedde said.
Usually, the 5k run/walk is held on the last weekend in June. However, Niewedde said the organizers decided to move the event to Independence Day because it was the scheduled date for Stage 5 of Indiana’s reopening. Even though the state has only moved to Stage 4.5, the race is still on.
This year, the 5k will have a maximum of 200 participants, who will start the race in waves of 10 people at a time, one minute apart, Niewedde said.
He also said there will be hand sanitizer stations available at the event. While masks are optional, Niewedde added that there are certain health guidelines that both runners and volunteers must adhere to.
According to the 5K’s participant waiver, these include self-monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms, confirming no close contact with anyone sick within 14 days of the event, not traveling to countries with ongoing outbreaks within 14 days of the 5K, not traveling by cruise ship or river boat in the past 14 days and not attending if one’s temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
