Homecoming Parade Saturday, July 5th *10:03 a.m.

Worthington's Bicentennial Celebration has created a unique opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate 200 years of history in Worthington. While the City has not had an official Independence Day Parade in the past, this year's Bicentennial Homecoming Celebration is putting Worthington's history on parade through the official Homecoming Parade on Saturday, July 5th.  The Homecoming Parade is a celebration of our community’s founding in 1803 and the past 200 years that have shaped the community which we have become today. The parade highlights historical moments in the life of our community when those values brought here by our founders were lived out in daily acts of pioneer courage, social responsibility, community governance and neighborly endeavors.

Click here if your neighborhood, organization or business is participating with a float in the parade.

The Bicentennial Homecoming Parade steps off with another Worthington and State of Ohio Bicentennial project, the Bicentennial Wagon Train: Path to Statehood. Thirteen wagons, on a statewide trek to commemorate the journey Worthington’s original settlers made from their New England homes to a land of new opportunity, will lead the Homecoming Parade through Worthington.

The theme of historical commemoration will be reflected in the entire parade, as each unit will represent an organization, neighborhood, institution or corporation highlighting an historic moment in our community. While the parade will have much music and entertainment, it will tell a story – a story of a vibrant community that grew from the commitment made by our original settlers

Many community groups, neighborhoods, and organizations are working hard to bring Worthington' s history to life. The photos above and to the left show neighbors in Colonial Hills crafting their float. It will include a paper mache ox, colorful flowers and miniature homes that represent their historic neighborhood. This is just one example of the many creative ideas that are coming together for the parade.

Look for the special Homecoming insert in the June 12th edition of ThisWeek in Worthington. ThisWeek, the official print media sponsor of the Wagon Train and Homecoming Celebrations, will publish Homecoming weekend highlights which will contain all the information you need to know to enjoy all the festitivies to the fullest. This special insert will also be available along the parade route and at Thomas Worthington High School during the weekend activities. In addition, a brochure will be distributed along the parade route so you and your family can take away a description of each parade unit and the historical moment it celebrates.

The parade will start at *10:03 a.m. on Saturday, July 5th on North High Street. The parade will be fully formed at North Street and the best viewing locations will be south of North Street along High Street and west on Dublin-Granville Road to the east entrance to the high school. The Wagon Train and other parade units will be on display at Thomas Worthington High School after the parade where you can get a closer look and perhaps pick up a great lunch at the Community Ox Roast, enjoy youth and family activities,  great musical entertainment and evening fireworks. Click here for the complete daily schedule.

*The time of 10:03 for the parade and fireworks was chosen to recognize the date that Worthington's founders arrived to their new home in the Ohio wilderness. They arrived in October 1803, or 10/03.