This year’s 7-year-old parade theme-picker also honored at City Council

The Rotary Club of Westerville, along with the local student who chose the theme of its 2024 Independence Day Parade, were honored at Westerville City Council’s meeting Tuesday evening, July 2.

“Westerville is the Besterville,” said 7-year-old Madison Adams, in accepting a Proclamation from Westerville City Council, presented by Mayor Kenneth Wright.

Mayor Wright said he believes Madison, a rising third-grader at Cherrington Elementary School, is the youngest city resident to ever receive a Proclamation approved by Westerville City Council.

The Proclamation honors Madison for submitting the winning entry in the Rotary club’s annual contest among Westerville City School District elementary students, to choose the theme of this year’s parade.

“Red, White and Blue … America! For Me and You!” was Madison’s winning entry. She was awarded $100 by the club, and she will ride in a place of honor with her family – brother Mason and parents Bryce and Melissa Adams – on the Rotary Club of Westerville’s float in the 2024 Independence Day Parade. The float will be adorned with banners, proclaiming Madison’s theme.

A second Proclamation adopted by Westerville City Council July 2, recognized the Rotary Club of Westerville for organizing the city’s July 4^th parade since 1962 – 62 years ago. The club’s 2024-25 President, Brandy Deichert, accepted the Proclamation on behalf of the club.

The club since 1962 has “faithfully and dutifully staged Westerville’s Independence Day Celebrations since 1962,” the City Council Proclamation reads.

As Mayor Wright noted in announcing the Proclamation, the holiday celebration has grown over the years, and again for 2024 will incorporate four major events, all taking place Thursday, July 4:

The Rotary Club of Westerville Independence Day Vets 5K, at 7:30 a.m., staged from the Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N. Cleveland Ave.
The big State Street Parade, at 10:30 a.m., beginning at County Line Road and traveling south to Electric Avenue.
The Rotary’s Free Concert Series and Food Truck Festival, begins at 5 p.m., also at the Westerville Sports Complex. This year’s bands are The Martini Affair and Long Play, and more than 15 food trucks are expected. Residents are encouraged to bring folding chairs to the complex, to enjoy the concert and food trucks, then stick around to watch the fireworks.
The Westerville Independence Day Fireworks Show, begins at 10 p.m. and will be simulcast to patriotic music on The River, 104.9FM radio station. The fireworks, sponsored by the City of Westerville, are launched from Heritage Park near Everal Barn. And the Sports Complex is among the very best locations to catch the great display.

PHOTO CAPTION (ABOVE): From left, Westerville Mayor Kenneth Wright, 2024 Rotary Club of Westerville Independence Day Parade theme-picker Madison Adams, and Rotary Club of Westerville President Brandy Deichert. At Westerville City Council’s meeting Tuesday, July 2, Mayor Wright presented city proclamations to Madison, recognizing her choosing this year’s parade theme; and to the Rotary Club of Westerville, accepted by Deichert, for staging the city’s Independence Day celebration since 1962.

Rotary Foundation 50/50 Raffle

Funds raised benefit our Scholarship, Grants programs

Tickets sales are UNDERWAY. Drawing at Free Concert Series July 4th, at 8:40 p.m. from the main stage, at the Westerville Sports Complex. Need not be present to win.

Again this year, we are conducting a 50/50 Raffle for the Rotary Club of Westerville Foundation, to help fund our local scholarships program and charitable grants.

The buyer of the winning ticket will receive half the pot, with the other half going to the Foundation. We hope to sell $10,000 worth of tickets — and offer a $5,000 payout, for both the raffle winner and the Foundation!

We have partnered this year with Zeffy to offer the 50/50 raffle digitally.

Scan the QR code below, or click on the Purchase Tickets link, to buy tickets.

The drawing will take place during our Free Concert Series July 4 at the Westerville Sports Complex. Ticket sales close at 8 p.m., and the drawing will be held at approximately 8:40 p.m. The winner need not be present for the drawing! The winner will be announced from the stage during a concert break, but contacted afterward for payment of their winnings if they are not present.

The Foundation facilitates charitable giving and projects by the club, including our annual college scholarship programs for high school graduates from Westerville, which has awarded more than $500,000 since 1964..

Please watch the accompanying video from Rotary Club of Westerville 2024-25 President Brandy Deichert, to learn more about how we spend charitable funds through our Westerville Rotary Foundation.

Good luck and we hope to see you at the concert July 4!

The Rotary Club of Westerville

Founded in 1959, the Rotary Club of Westerville is a service club of business professionals and leaders working to improve our community and larger world. We are part of Rotary International. Find out more at WestervilleRotary.com. Contact the Club and learn how to join