In the past decades, fireworks were the center of the Fourth of July celebration in Johnstown.
This year’s celebration, which will be 5-10 p.m. July 3, will be different than past years following the expansion to a total of 12 activities. Organizers comprise volunteers, Johnstown City Council members and representatives of the cornerstone sponsors who aim to expand the event while keeping it family-friendly and affordable.
Increasing involvement and support from sponsors and community organizations, from Boy Scouts to athletic boosters and community members, drove the expansion. City Council member Dave Selan said sponsors saw the value of bringing families together, and none of the new activities would be possible without the community engagement between sponsors and local groups.
Beyond the fireworks, which begin at 9:40 p.m. at Chambers Stadium at Johnstown High School (where the primary viewing area of the firework is and where the other activities take place) and last about 15 to 20 minutes, the celebration features food trucks, gymnastics and dance performances, bands, a dunk tank, a punt-pass-kick competition, a photo opportunity with Highland Cow and many more.
Here’s what some other parts of Licking County are doing for the Fourth of July celebrations, including dates and times of fireworks and other events:
Newark’s 25h anniversary Independence Day concert and fireworks
Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College will host their 25th anniversary Independence Day concert and fireworks from 5-11 p.m. July 3 at the Martha Grace Reese Amphitheatre. Fireworks start at 10 p.m. and last for 30 minutes. The event features food vendors, giveaways, orchestra and more. The event is free to attend with free parking; members of the public are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs but no tents.
Pataskala Fireworks at Foundation Park
The city of Pataskala held its Fourth of July celebration June 28, continuing the 14-year tradition. Scheduling the celebration on a weekend allowed residents and vendors to attend, as before or after July 4 might have conflicted with people’s interest in going on vacation or grandma’s house, Mayor Mike Compton said. Pataskala has always celebrated on a Saturday, moving it to Sunday if it rains. Next year’s Fourth of July celebration happens to be on a Saturday.
Heath’s Star Spangled Celebration at Geller Park
The city of Heath will host its “Star Spangled Celebration” from 5-10 p.m. July 2 at John C. Geller Park. Fireworks will start at 10 p.m. and last for 20 minutes. The event will feature a variety of main local food vendors, free giveaways, seven inflatables for children, a balloon artist, a face painter, live music from the rock band “Big Bad Stache” and, new this year, giant inflatable obstacles with built-in walls and nerf guns.
Granville Kiwanis 4th of July Celebration
The Granville 4th of July Celebration will run 1-10 p.m. July 2-4 and 1-8 p.m. July 5 downtown. Fireworks will take place at 10 p.m. July 2 for 20 minutes at Wildwood Park. The Mile Long Parade, with the theme “Home Sweet Home,” will start at 10:45 a.m. July 4 on West Broadway near Wildwood Park. This event also features food vendors, musical performances, rides, Granville’s Got Talent, Bingo, bicycle decoration contest and a pet decoration contest.
Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition
The village of Buckeye Lake will hold the 2025 Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition on July 3. The fireworks celebration will start at 9:45 p.m. and last 30 minutes. The 2nd Annual Pre-BLASST Kids Fest Cookout will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ryan Braden Park featuring free food, games and crafts and children’s inflatables. A boat parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Liebs Island and travel down to the waterfront, where judging will take place. An interactive map showcases information about parking, boat launches, restrooms, first aid and lost child stations, where to tune in to the simulcast and various sponsors.
Donna Chang is a reporting intern for The Advocate. She can be reached at dchang@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Where to celebrate Fourth of July 2025 in Licking County, Ohio