By JOE MEYER

Midsummer brings July’s Fourth Friday to Westerville this week, and a packed schedule of activities and live entertainment will warm up historic Uptown for the event.

The monthly Fourth Friday street festivals are presented by Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital, and run from 6-9 p.m. along the length of State Street through Uptown, from Walnut Street on the south to Home Street on the north.

RockHouse

Visitors can catch the Newman Roofing Summer Concert series from 6:30-8:30 on the Westerville Village Green, in front of  Westerville City Hall, 21 S. State St. The July 26 act will be 1980 rock cover band RockHouse, presented by TropiCool. “RockHouse brings the biggest hits with all of the flash, flair, and hair!” the band’s website says.

Uptown’s restaurants and pubs are always hopping for the event, and adults can take advantage of Uptown’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area to stroll about with adult beverages. Most retail shops also are open for visitors to peruse, along with more than 100 popup vendors and food trucks that set up just for the night.

Special activity zones for all ages will dot the whole Uptown District, along with roving entertainment, sponsored by OrthoNeuro. Districts include the Arts Council of Westerville’s Arts Alley in the Fusion/Fattey Beer parking lot at the southwest corner of Park and State streets (featuring live music from The Brick Walk Nights July 26); to Science Street on East College Avenue, with engaging, hands-on, STEM-focused demonstrations and activities, Westerville scientist Jack Brown and The Green Team of Westerville; to Teen Time on the Hanby Elementary lawn, also presented by The Arts Council of Westerville.

Teen Time at Hanby will feature Gaga Ball funded by The Westerville Fund, a live performance by members of the Westerville Jazz Orchestra, Generation Dancers, DJ music and henna artistry, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Other cool features for the July 26 Fourth Friday

Giant Bubbles: Entertainer Logan Jimenez will provide roving entertainment, creating giant bubbles for Fourth Friday attendees.

COSI: Columbus Center of Science and Industry will bring it’s traveling show to Fourth Friday, setting up along State between Dairy Queen and the Westerville Public Library.

More Magic and Music: Magician Magic Nate will entertain on West Main Street, along with members of the Westerville Symphony.

Bike tricks: Members of the Westerville BMX Club will display skills and stunts on Winter Street.

Bike parking: Free bicycle parking again will be offered for the July 26 Fourth Friday at LifePoint Real Estate, 168 S. State (southeast corner of State and Walnut streets), hosted by LifePoint and the Westerville Bike Shop.

Road closings

Be advised, State Street through Uptown is closed from 6-9 p.m. for Fourth Fridays, as are first blocks of East and West College Avenue and East and West Main Street, to open the roadways to pedestrians, popup vendors and entertainment.

COTA option

Catch a cheap ride to Uptown and back to your Westerville home from COTA’s COTA Plus service offered in Westerville. The COTA Plus mini-buses pick up in neighborhoods throughout the city, and drop off right in Uptown. Fares are $3 each way.

Consider using the COTA smart phone app for a fare discount, and use the City of Westerville’s SmartParking app to find available public parking – and get updates on any closings or parking restrictions.

Rain or shine

Fourth Friday is staged by Uptown Westerville Inc. and is held monthly, rain or shine, from May through October. Remaining dates for 2024 are July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 27 and Oct. 25.

CAPTIONS

Roving entertainment sponsored by OrthoNeuro, is always a big part of Fourth Friday, including on July 26:

(Above) Magician Magic Nate, seen here performing on State Street during a 2023 Fourth Friday, will be back July 26.

(Below) Entertainer Logan Jimenez wows youngsters with his giant bubble entertainment. He also will be performing at the July 26 Fourth Friday.