The Fourth of July means it’s time to bust out the sparklers, check out a few parades, eat lots of patriotically decorated food and of course watch some dazzling fireworks. Don’t miss out on any of the fun that will be happening all around Central Ohio to celebrate our country’s independence from July 3-July 5.

July 3
Red White and BOOM: 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Downtown Columbus. The event opens in the morning with WNCI broadcasting live. Street vendors will be open all day with the National Guard flyover beginning the parade at 6 p.m. followed by the fireworks at 10 p.m. www.redwhiteandboom.org  

July 4
Doo Dah Parade: 1-3 p.m., throughout the Short North Arts District. www.doodahparade.com  

Glorious Fourth: Independence Day Celebration, 12-5 p.m. at the Ohio Village. The day includes pie-eating contests, old time games, story telling, music, a community dance and a base ball game played by the Ohio Village Muffins. www.ohiohistory.org  

Gahanna Freedom Festival: 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. at the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course. The event begins with the Gahanna Lions Parade, followed by the Family Fun Festival, which includes games, prizes, activities, music and fireworks around 10 p.m. www.visitgahanna.com  

Stars of Hope Benefit Concert: 2 p.m. at Regal Cinemas: Georgesville Square 16. Featuring the band “fever” with games and movie prizes from several recent movie releases. Admission is $2 and all money benefits the 7th annual Stars of Hope campaign.
www.REGmovies.com/Corporate/CommunityAffairs  

Upper Arlington fireworks: Dusk at Northam Park on Tremont Road.
Upper Arlington parade kicks off at 9 a.m. on Northwest Boulevard.
www.uaca.org  

Hilliard fireworks: 9:45 p.m. at the Hilliard Municipal Park Amphitheatre.
Hilliard parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at the Franklin Country Fairgrounds. www.cityofhilliard.com  

Dublin fireworks: 9:50 p.m. Dublin Coffman High School.
Dublin parade begins at 11 a.m. www.dublin.oh.us/events/independence  

Westerville fireworks: 10 p.m. at Alum Creek State Park South
Westerville parade begins at 1:30 p.m. www.visitwesterville.org  

July 5
Reynoldsburg fireworks: 9:45 p.m. Civic Park. www.ci.reynoldsburg.oh.us  

Sounds of Summer Concert Series: 6:30 p.m. at Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre, Westerville. www.visitwesterville.org