City plans for sixth-annual Westfield Rocks the 4th celebration
Friday marks the single-largest community gathering for city – its annual Independence Day celebration, Westfield Rocks the 4th. Melody Jones, Westfield parks director and event coordinator, said the six-hour event (4 to 10 p.m.) brought more than 13,000 people to downtown Westfield last year.
“Neighborhoods always did their own fireworks for so long in the community. For me, it’s very gratifying to hear people say this is the community’s Fourth of July event,” she said.
Westfield Rocks the 4th began in 2009. Jones said the committee learned an important lesson that first year – an all-day festival was too long. Since then the event has grown in size and activities.
“It’s becoming a well-oiled machine,” Jones said. “The single biggest change has been the people stepping up and volunteering. We don’t have the staff to do an event of this level,” she said.
Jones said the assistance of Imagine, City Springs and Oak Spring churches and the Westfield Lions Club are crucial to the event’s success.
“The great thing about a big event here is how much the volunteers step up,” Jones said.
One of the great aspects of Westfield Rocks the 4th is its location in Asa Bales Park.
“The setting makes it special. Asa Bales Park is where all the festival and activities take place and there’s plenty of parking,” Jones said, adding the park also contains many mature trees.
“The kids’ area is in the shade all day. By 5:30 to 6 p.m. the main lawn becomes very shady.”
The event has always had main stage entertainment. In its first year, a Battle of Bands contest was held. Since then a local musical act has been hired and this year features Stella Luna & the Satellites as the opener for the second consecutive time and the Endless Summer Band as headliner.
“They play everything. They are not a bar band, they change costumes,” Jones said.
Jones said this year’s event will include several new features including misting fans, an ATM, and a salute to veterans.
“Like Westfield in Lights, it’s the reason for the season,” Jones said. “People served because they care and that sacrifice needs to be rewarded. People need to be recognized so the community can show their appreciation.”
Other improvements to traditional amenities include the larger Headliner’s Car Show, kids’ area, The Mill Tavern’s beer garden and an extended marketplace with 39 vendors including 18 food places.
“It’s more than we ever had,” Jones said.
The kids’ area, presented by Imagine Church, will offer fun games and activities for kids of all ages such as face painting, a photo booth, five different bounce houses and more – and all activities are completely free.
“The kids’ area will be bigger and better than it’s ever been,” Jones said.
Jones said the Westfield Intermediate and Middle schools are completely open for parking, as is the north side of Westfield High School. While Hoover Street will be closed off between Union Street and Shamrock Drive beginning Friday morning, the surrounding streets and City Hall will be open.
“There’s lots of adjacent parking and four trail connections to Asa Bales Park,” she said, adding Handicap parking will be available in the first row of WMS. “They’ll be on pavement the entire way from the parking lot to the park. We’re trying to make an effort this year.”
Jones said the car show awards begin at 8 p.m. and once done that area is open for residents.
“Those that coming just for fireworks, these parking lots will be open back up probably around 8:30 p.m. for the public,” she said. “Access really is the same as it was last year.”
Schedule of events
Main Stage
4:15 to 6:30 p.m. – Stella Luna & the Satellites
7 to 9:30 p.m. – Endless Summer Band
9:40 to 10:15 p.m. – Mayor Andy Cook speaks, salute to the armed forces, presentation of colors by Westfield American Legion Post 318 and Westfield VFW Post 10207 and singing of the National Anthem by Exaltation Quartet.
10:20 p.m. – Fireworks display, set to music which can be heard in Asa Bales Park.
Kids’ Area (Sponsored by Imagine Church)
4 to 9:15 p.m. – Kids Area open with five inflatables
• 4 to 7 p.m. – Toddler bubble play
• 4 to 8 p.m. – Face painting
• 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Cookie walk
• 5 to 8 p.m. – Photo booth
• 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Scavenger hunt (with parents)
• 6 to 7 p.m. – Bingo
• 7 to 7:30 p.m. – Watermelon seed spitting contest
• 7:30 to 8 p.m. – Skittles vacuum competition
Headliners Car Show
The Headliners Car Show Area will include exhibitors and vendors in the Westfield High School parking lot, 18250 N. Union St.
3 to 5 p.m. – Car show registration
4 to 8 p.m. – Music by Donna’s Rock and Roll Cruisin’ Oldies
5 to 7:30 p.m. – Car show judging
8 to 8:30 p.m. – Awards ceremony and 50/50 drawing
