Centerville’s American Festival returns with massive celebration

CENTERVILLE, Ohio — With fireworks and parades, local cities are celebrating Independence Day today. One of the biggest celebrations is set to take place in Centerville for it’s 48th year.

You know it’s the 4th of July in Centerville when you drive down Franklin Street and you see chairs lining the road - red, white and blue everywhere. After being cancelled in 2020, the Americana Festival is back this year and organizers say it’s going to be bigger and better than in years past.

Mikaela Green, who will be one of the hundreds of participants in the Americana Festival Parade said, “I’m excited it’s coming back. I’m excited COVID is coming down and we can enjoy being out and about.”

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“I’ve never been able to be here and watch it so I’m excited to not only be able to see it but be able to be in it,” Green said.

Green will be riding in a Humvee with her daughter and husband who is in the National Guard.

This year’s Americana Festival promises to be bigger and better than before. It all starts the evening of Sunday, July 4 with a concert at Stubbs Park, fireworks at the high school and food trucks.

The fun will continue on Monday, July 5 with the Annual 5K, followed by the famous parade.

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Festival Executive Director Keith Weiskittle said things don’t end there. He said, “We have a theme this year for the parade - honoring COVID first responders and health care providers. We are so excited to honor those folks because of them we were able to survive a tough time.”

While there wasn’t enough interested arts and crafts vendors this year, the committee made up for it and will have more than 50 food trucks lining Main Street.

“There will be entertainment, three stages, folks playing from big-band to swing and rock and roll. So, we’re looking forward to lots of entertainment,” Weiskittle said.

The Auto Show will top it all off. Officials said there are typically 85,000 people who spend their Independence Day at the American Festival.

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