Westfield rocks Fourth of July

Westfield Rocks the 4th brings fun and celebration to Asa Bales Park

By Anna Skinner

Westfield’s annual fireworks show and Fourth of July celebration started from a combination of July 4th spirit and a battle of the bands event.

A local youth pastor approached the parks department asking to hold a battle of the bands event. As the department had already begun planning of a Fourth of July celebration in late 2009, they decided to combine the two to create a day-long celebration.

The first Westfield Rocks the 4th took place in 2010 and started at 9 a.m.

Westfield Parks and Recreation director Melody Jones said that although the battle of the bands event was fun, it was not something the department wanted to repeat as it lasted way too long.

After the first year, Westfield Rocks the 4th morphed into a Fourth of July celebration that begins at 4 p.m. instead of in the morning, and hosts a variety of vendors and family fun activities.

“Westfield Rocks the 4th is about Westfield and it is for Westfield,” Jones said. “The greatest compliment we receive is that the day is all about the family. We have something for everyone in your family. … Asa Bales Park is a beautiful setting. Kids can play without worry and families can connect with friends and neighbors.”

Jones said some of the events include a car show, a kids area, food vendors and a marketplace.

“Not Your Average Boy Band” will be opening for “London Rose” in terms of music.

She described her favorite part of the event as being after the headliner band finishes performing.

“That’s when the crowd is the largest and we turn our attention to the reason we are celebrating,” she said. “We have the Honor Guard from the Westfield American Legion Post 318 and the Westfield VFW Post 10207 present the colors and honor our service men and women. This year we will have Westfield’s own Carol Ann Woelfel sing the National Anthem and read the Declaration of Independence. It is very moving.”

Fireworks will begin after that ceremony.

Mayor Andy Cook only had good things to say about Westfield Rocks the 4th and encouraged people to come to the event.

“Westfield Rocks the 4th showcases all the best our community has to offer: friendship, fun and a deep love of country. I look forward to seeing everyone at this year’s event,” he said.

Westfield begins planning the next event immediately after the current one ends. The event takes months to plan, and Jones said the department tries to add something new each year.

She said thanks to the volunteers, Westfield’s fire and police departments, the public works department, parks staff and all sponsors are the reason the event can be pulled off so smoothly each year.

Entertainment in the main lawn of Asa Bales will continue throughout the night even between bands. Jump for Joy will be putting on that entertainment, and more than 40 vendors will line the paths of Asa Bales.

“It does not get any better than this,” she said. “Westfield Rocks the 4th has something for everyone and it is right here in your backyard.”

Who makes it happen?

Jones would specifically like to thank the sponsors of the 2015 Westfield Rocks the 4th event.

• Church Brothers
• Imagine Church
• City Spring Church
• Current of Westfield
• CSI Signs
• Chiropractic Wellness Center
• Traynor and Associates
• Wittler Orthodontics
• United Counseling
• Wood Wind Golf Club
• Indy Portables

Schedule of Events

4-9:30 p.m. Kids Area open.

4-8 p.m. Headliner’s Car Show

4:15-6:30 p.m. “Not Your Average Boy Band”

6:30-7 p.m. Jump For Joy entertaining between bands

7-9:30 p.m. “London Rose”

7-9:30 p.m. Scavenger hunt in Kids Area with parents

8 p.m. Car Show Awards

9:30-10 p.m. July 4th Ceremony including a welcome from Mayor Cook, Presentation of Colors by Honor Guard from Westfield American Legion Post 318 and Westfield VFW Post 10207, National Anthem and reading of the Declaration of Independence.

10 p.m. Fireworks