Uptown Westerville is a Place for Our Kids

This Friday, September 26th is Fourth Friday!

This month's theme is School Daze.

Westerville is a Place for Our Children -- from schools to activities to sports to community involvement -- Westerville has much to be proud of! Our Kids Rock!!

Visit Uptown Westerville this Friday Night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the usual Fourth Friday fun including music, frolic, food, shopping! A great place for friends and families!! Come for dinner, enjoy Fourth Friday, have dessert before you head home!

School Daze marks the end of the fabulous 2008 Fourth Friday Season. Thanks to the Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau for another fun year of great summer memories in Uptown Westerville. For more info about the WVCB, click here.

The Uptown Friday fun continues... Mark your calendars to join the Uptown community on Friday, October 31st for the Annual Big Boo! The Uptown Westerville Merchants Association invites you to Midnight Madness and Friday, December 5th for the City of Westerville Tree Lighting and the Uptown Westerville Merchants Association Home for the Holidays.

See you Uptown on Friday!

Image courtesy of Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for the Farmers' Market

It's market day in Uptown Westerville!

Each season, the market is filled with vibrant color -- the sunny, summer colors and flavors of peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes, are now complimented by the beautiful fall hues of green beans, onions, pumpkins, apples, winter squash, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

The hanging flower baskets of spring, are now replaced by stunning sunflowers and gladiolas.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market features an organic, chemical-free and conventional produce selection.

Free-range poultry and eggs along with grass-fed organic beef are available from Frijolito Farm and Flying J Farm at the market.

The artisan food selection at the market is creative and delicious -- shop our market vendors for pies, breads, specialty baked goods, cinnamon rolls, chutneys, jams, jellies, sauces, cheeses, mustard, maple syrup, rubs, spices, herbs, and raw honey.

An after school trip to the market is a great experience for kids. There are so many new flavors to taste. For less than a dollar, kids can choose a baby pumpkin, pick a fresh-off-the-tree crisp apple, or unwrap a maple-leaf maple sugar candy lollipop. A favorite stop for kids is Flower Power Gourmet with their delicious flower and herb infused baked goods. And, kids really like Rohini's chutneys!

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market features home-made and home-grown foods and opens each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home (Church of the Messiah parking lot) through October 29th. (Keep the market in mind for your October pumpkins!)

Reusable Market bags are available for a $3 donation to the W.A.R.M. Fresh Green Program (to help those in need purchase healthy, fresh foods at the farmers' market) ask your favorite market vendor, or stop by Amish Originals Furniture Co. at 8 N. State.

And, before and after you visit the market.... Shop Uptown Westerville!

Free on-street and lot parking in the market vicinity.

See you at the market!

Pictured: Fresh apples from Richland County's Malabar Acres.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to be Recognized by Money Magazine

The editors of Money Magazine have named Westerville as one of CNN/Money Magazine's 2008 Top 25 Best Places for Affordable Homes in the nation.

As a matter of fact, Westerville is #5 on the list!

Money Magazine says...

There's no shortage of charm in Westerville, Ohio's largest suburb. Historic architecture has been preserved in Uptown Westerville, where 19th century homes mingle with bed and breakfasts, mom-and-pop stores, and a weekly farmer's market in the summer.

Prefer newer real estate? Two-bedroom condos sell for $160,000 to $399,000. Residents count on two large hospitals as well as plenty of small practices to keep them in good health.

Head to Hoover Reservoir for afternoon sailing or kayaking, or buzz on over to Alum Creek Lake for some water skiing. Landlubbers can admire the scenery at Alum Creek while picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, or just relaxing on the beach.

WUMA thanks Money Magazine for recognizing what we already know -- Westerville and Uptown Westerville, our home, is a place for people!

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Buy Local

September at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market means the best bounties of summer remain and early autumn harvests begin to appear.

Winter squash and small pumpkins are starting to appear and the tomatoes cannot be sweeter.

Stop by the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market today and enjoy the fruits of the seasons.

Stop by Amish Originals Furniture Co., at 8 N. State St., on your way to the market today, or ask your favorite market vendor for the market's reusable bags. Pick up the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market bags for just a $3 donation to the W.A.R.M. Fresh Green Program.

A Feast for the Senses! The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market currently features these vendors:

▪ Agape Garden
▪ Arjay Gourmet Foods
▪ Bird’s Haven Farm
▪ Blue Jacket Dairy
▪ Bridgman Farm
▪ Buckeye Mustard
▪ Carousel Water Gardens & Cathy’s Tasty Treats
▪ Cat Run Ranch
▪ Doran’s Family Farm
▪ Honey Health Farms
▪ Flower Power Gourmet
▪ Flying J Farm
▪ Frijolito Farm
▪ Landrum Cottage Designs (we'll see Dana in October)
▪ Malabar Acres
▪ Northridge Organic Farm
▪ Pleiades Maple Products
▪ Snowville Creamery (they are week-to-week right now depending on supply)
▪ Sue's Kitchen
▪ Taste of Seattle Coffee Company
▪ Varley Valley Products

Market produce is organic, chemical-free, or conventional.

Want to know more about our market vendors? Great! Click here to visit the Market Directory.

If you can -- make an afternoon of it or stop by after school -- Shop Uptown Westerville and pick up dinner ingredients at today's market.

Kids love the market -- they can taste new flavors and find affordable, healthy foods to choose and purchase!

See you today at the market!


The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is a fluid community. Vendor appearance each week may vary.

Pictured: Market bags at Bridgman Farm.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Post-Ike Clean-Up

The City of Westerville is posting regular updates at http://www.westerville.org/

Yes, the city will be picking up any tree limbs September 15 - 19 as long as they are in your easement (or right-of-way) area by the street. (But not in the street.)

Click here to link to the most recent report from the city about everything from power to debris.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to be... Slow... College Students!

Otterbein College classes begin on September 15th -- so just a reminder to lift your foot off the accelerator and over to the brake pedal at the crosswalk on W. Main by the library and step up the alert when driving through campus.

When students are on their way to classes -- they absolutely do not look when they are crossing the streets, so, we'll look out for them.

Be safe.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Cops... and Kids!

Prizes! Free Refreshments! Music! Helicopters! Cruisers! DARE Cars! Mounted Patrols! The Bike Patrol! The K-9 Unit! Dunk-a-Cop Tank!!

Today is a great day to head to Hoff Woods for The 15th Annual 2008 Westerville Cops and Kids from 10:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Kids (and, actually, parents) really enjoy this interactive experience with real-life law enforcement.

Cops and Kids is sponsored by the Central Ohio Peace Officers and WPD.

Free gift to the first 1500 kids.

For more information, click here to view the Cops and Kids flyer (PDF) or online at westerville.org

Hoff Woods is located at 556 McCorkle Blvd., just south of Maxtown Road.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for College Students

Welcome Otterbein College Students!

Uptown Westerville welcomes returning and new Otterbein students and their families.

To say Welcome and Thank You, Uptown Westerville invites you to Otterbein Uptown! Pennant Weekend, September 11th through the 14th.

Visit our shops, service businesses & restaurants and get a special discount!

It’s simple. Look for an Otterbein College Pennant on display in local shop windows, show a valid Otterbein College student, faculty, or alumni ID and... get a deal at these participating Uptown Westerville businesses:

Dinner, Drink & Dessert
Dairy Queen, 84 S. State
Graeter's Ice Cream, 1 N. State
Java Central, 20 S. State
Michael's Pizza, 15 E. College
Pasquale's Pizza & Pasta, 14 N. State
Pizza Primo, 10 E. Main

Shops & Services

A Gal Named Cinda Lou, 20 N. State
Amish Originals, 8 & 38 N. State
Atattooed, 16 S. State
Captivating Canines, 31 N. State
Checkerberries, 8 E. Main
Colonial Music, 43 N. State
Deja Vu, 11 N. State
DJ's Feed Store, 41 N. State
Embroidery Deluxe, 39 W. Main
Encircle, 30 & 34 N. State
Five Star Staffing, 133 S. State
Flowers by Doris, 30 E. College
Gallery 202, 38 N. State, Upstairs
Heart's Content, 9 N. State
Hey Diddle Diddle, 38 N. State
It's All In The Name, 20-K S. State
Lola Belle, 46 N. State
Meza, 48 N. State
Morgan's Treasure, 12 W. Main
My Cousin's Closet, 16 E. College
Old Skool Skate Shop, 11 E. College
Outside Envy, 15 N. State
Ruth Reed Antiques, 21 E. College
Sample 'n' Gift, 23 N. State
The Sullivan Co., 130 Graphic Way
Uptown Cigar Co., 33 N. State
Westerville Antiques, 2 N. State

There are two other Otterbein Uptown! Pennant Weekends during the school year to add to your calendar!

▪ Homecoming Weekend:
October 2008: 17th, 18th, 19th

▪ Commencement/Alumni Weekend:
June 2009: 12th, 13th, 14th
Including the Senior Uptown Hop on the 12th

Have a Great School Year!

Everlasting Otterbein Pride!

Go Cards!

Click here to Visit the Otterbein Uptown! web page.

Click here for the Shop Uptown Westerville map. (PDF file)

Click here to Shop Uptown Westerville.

Note: Otterbein Pennant Weekend offers are at the discretion of each business. Regular business hours apply.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Celebrate Our Community

This weekend wish Westerville a Happy 150th!

Sunday, August 31st is the City's "birthday bash" at Westerville's western gateway including Alum Creek Park, North (221 W. Main) and Heritage Park and Everal Barn, (60 N. Cleveland).

▪ Kiwanis' Pancake Breakfast
▪ Community Picnic
▪ Ice Cream Social
▪ Taste of Westerville
▪ Trolley Tours
▪ Westerville Public Library Storytime for Children
▪ A Special Quilt Showing
▪ Historic presentations, including Civil War era cannons
▪ The Annual Sertoma Car Show
▪ Historic Vehicles
▪ A 2008 Time Capsule
▪ Westerville Symphony
▪ Fireworks

Plenty of parking in the surrounding area. For more information and details, visit Celebrate Westerville online.

Have a Safe, Happy Labor Day Weekend.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for School Kids

Just a quick reminder that August 27th is the first day of school in Westerville.

Emerson (N. Vine and E. Home) and Hanby (E. Park and S. State) Elementary Schools are both located in Uptown Westerville, as is the Westerville Public Library, with Whittier and Longfellow nearby.

We are going to see more kids in Uptown Westerville.

Please take a couple extra seconds to be more aware that there may be kids around, please respect the posted school zone speed limits (yes, it's a drag, but it can save a life), be more alert at neighborhood crosswalks, be extra aware at bus stops and when a bus stops, and if you can, stay off your cell phone while in a school zone.

Be Safe. Thanks.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Buy Local

Keep the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market in mind as you plan your holiday weekend festivities!

And, look at the calendar this weekend -- the Buckeyes open their season with Saturday's noon kick-off (Go Bucks!), Celebrate Westerville's Community Picnic is Sunday, and Labor Day is Monday.

Lots of reasons to eat rich, nutritious, healthy, delicious locally grown foods that you can find at the farmers' market.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market opens at 3 p.m. through 6 p.m. Wednesdays, through October 29th at N. State and E. Home Streets. Insider tip: Arrive early for pie! Sue's Kitchen sold over 30 pies in the first 15 minutes of market last week!

While you're uptown for the market, remember to... Shop Uptown Westerville.

On-street and lot parking in Uptown Westerville is free.

Photo: Fruit ripened on the tree makes a difference -- apples fresh-picked from Malabar Acres of Jeromesville.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Eco-conscious Options

This week when you stop by the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market, take your purchases home in a New Market Bag.

Contributed by WUMA member Amish Originals Furniture Co., and designed by WUMA member Brickstreet Communications, the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Bags are made of durable, water-proof, tear-proof, and recyclable non-woven polypropylene by Kool Pack. Each bag is 12" wide by 12" high with a 26" woven handles.

Purchase a bag with a minimum $3 donation to the W.A.R.M. Fresh Green Program.

Ask your market vendor today!

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market convenes each Wednesday through October 29th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the corner of N. State and E. Home Streets.

And, you're Uptown! Check out the Uptown Westerville shops and restaurants.

And, remember to bring your bag Uptown each week!

(100 bags available at today's market.)

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Farm Fresh, Tail Wagging, and Mystery

We know that Uptown Westerville has to be on your calendar for this week!

August 20th marks Week 16 of the Westerville Uptown Farmers' Market, located at N. State and E. Home Streets from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Wednesday through October 29th. The farmers' market is the perfect place to stop for fabulous, locally-grown and made, produce, dairy, poultry, meats, cut flowers, and artisan foods.

Central Ohio's only mid-week farmers' market, keep the Westerville Farmers' Market in mind as your Labor Day weekend food resource.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market features a produce selection that is organic, chemical-free, and conventionally grown.

Shopping tip: Come uptown for lunch and shopping, and stop by the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market to shop, taste, and pick up dinner.

Then Friday, August 22nd, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. is the Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau's Dog Days of Summer Fourth Friday celebration. Dedicated to our canine friends and family -- Dog Days features a "best of show" contest, open to any and all, and welcomes a new sponsor, MilkBone. If you've never been Uptown for Dog Days -- come up -- it's lots of fun with happy people and wagging tails. Special thanks to WUMA member, Gordon Solomons of Captivating Canines (31 N. State) for sponsoring this crazy, fabulous, canine-focused event.

Finally, this weekend, check out the Westerville Visitors nd Convention Bureau's annual fundraisier event: The Whiskey Wars or Who Blew Up Corbin's Saloon? This locally produced nortorious Westerville history event comes alive at Otterbein College Campus Center's Otterbein Summer Theatre stage on September 23rd and 24th. Click here to view the event flyer.

For more information about The Whiskey Wars, contact the WVCB: http://www.visitwesterville.org/.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Know Your Neighbors

Do you live or work in Uptown Westerville?

Meet your neighbors at an Uptown Business Networking Open House on August 26th from 8:30 am. to 9:30 a.m. (refreshments from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.) at Gallery 202, 38 N. State, 2nd Floor.

For more information or to RSVP contact: Kriss Rogers, Outside Envy, 15 N. State Street, 614.895.3689 outside.envy@sbcglobal.net or Renee Kropat, Gallery 202, 890.8202 or renee@gallery202online.com.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Be An Educated Voter

The Westerville Chamber of Commerce is meeting on August 19th to provide information and answer your questions about State Issue 4:

Mandated Paid Sick Leave: State Issue 4 (Healthy Families Act)

Join us over breakfast for a panel discussion on what you should know about the impact of the 'Healthy Families Act' (State Issue 4)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
7:45 a.m.—10:00 a.m.
Medallion Country Club
500 Club Drive, Westerville, OH 43082
$20 per stakeholder/$30 non-members

Each attendee will receive a continental breakfast and an informational packet reviewing the major talking points of the legislation, cost analysis, related business articles, and the actual legislation language. ($15 for an additional packet.)

We are proud to host a panel discussion with fellow Chamber stakeholders:
Kyle Stroh, Attorney, Metz, Bailey & McLoughlin
Larry Jenkins, Human Resources Services
Jim Sterling, Sterling Consulting LLC

Registration 7:45 - 8:00 a.m.
Welcome 8:00 - 8:05 a.m.

Explanation of the HFA 8:10 - 8:50 a.m.
Questions & Answers 8:50 - 9:55 a.m.

Please e-mail back with your registration or call the Chamber office at 614-882-8917 by August 15. Reservations are required. There is limited seating.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Buy Local

August 13th is market day in Uptown Westerville!

And, this is Week 15 for the 2008 Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market season.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market opens for business each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. through October 29th in the Church of the Messiah parking lot at N. State and E. Home.

The Westerville Uptown Merchants Association highly recommends making Wednesday an Uptown Westerville Market Day -- come uptown for lunch and shopping, then stop by the market.

Today's weather is perfect for market shopping with artisan foods and an amazing selection of organic, chemical-free, and conventionally grown produce.

Last week, market customers purchased nearly 1000 pounds of fresh peaches from Malabar Acres!

Home-made, home-grown, all-Ohio, the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market features a variety of baked goods, spreads, chutneys, jams, cut flowers, meats, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, coffee, sauces, rubs and dried herbs, honey, maple syrup, and fresh cheese.

Stroller friendly and pet friendly, the market is a great place to shop with friends and family, and to shake the hand of the person who grew your produce and made your bread.

See you at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Pictured: Shopping at Doran's Family Farm at the August 6th market.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Tail Waggin' Fun

August 22nd Uptown Westerville goes to the dogs when the WVCB Fourth Friday features.... the 2008 Dog Days of Summer.

Sponsored by WUMA member Captivating Canines (31 N. State), this perrenial favorite is big fun when the streets of Uptown Westerville are filled with dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages and their humans!

As always, bring your dogs for judging and, this year, Milkbone joins Dog Days!

For more information, visit the WVCB at http://www.visitwesterville.org/.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Cops.... and Kids!

The 2008 Westerville Cops and Kids event is on September 14th from 10:30 a.m. to 3: 30 p.m. at Hoff Woods .

This is the 15th year for this popular event sponsored by the Central Ohio Peace Officers and WPD .

The event features: Free Admission, Prizes, Free Refreshments, Music, Helicopters, DARE cars, mounted patrols, K-9 Units, and.... a Dunk-a-Cop Tank!!

Free gift to the first 1500 kids.

For more information, click here to view the Cops and Kids flyer (PDF) or online at westerville.org

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Notorious Stories

Back in the day, Westerville, Ohio was home to a national prohibition organization that fueled the passage of the 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. And, back in 1879, in a divided community, Corbin's Saloon, located in an Uptown Westerville hotel, was bombed! What were they thinking?!

Well, find out what may have happened by checking out the Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau's annual fundraiser presentation -- The Whiskey Wars or Who Blew Up Corbin's Saloon?

This imaginative, original production, based on the nortorious 1879 bombing incident, is an exciting community effort bringing together OtterbeinCollege alum, including Otterbein College Theatre's own Petie Dodrill, Westerville Central, South, and North high school, the Westerville Historical Society, and resident actors and theatre technicians.

The Whiskey Wars or Who Blew Up Corbin's Saloon? will be presented on the Otterbein College Summer Theatre stage at the Otterbein College Campus Center.

For ticket information, contact the WVCB at 614.794.9401 or visit the WVCB website at http://www.visitwesterville.org/.

Click here to view event flyer. (PDF file so Adobe Acrobat Reader required.)

By the way, the 1879 bombing was in a hotel where Pasquale's Pizza and Pasta is currently located (14 N. State) and it was the 2nd bombing of Corbin's Saloon. Corbin's Saloon's original location was at 39 W. Main, and was bombed in 1875.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Table Settings

This week's Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market features fresh peaches and a growing selection of delicious fresh produce.

From your breakfast table to a late night snack -- the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is the perfect culinary treat.

A great place to stop with friends and family.

See you at the market!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Material Expression

While Uptown for July's Fourth Friday, make a note to stop by Morgan's Treasure, 12 W. Main. Morgan's Treasure will feature quilt artist Georgie Cline on Friday, July 25th. Shop owner, Bill Morgan shares, "Her current work combines her passion for photography, the great outdoors, and fabric. Much like a quilt, Georgie looks at nature as a whole, in framents, or in bits & pieces. Nature holds a complete and unending supply of color, texture, lines, and design that allows the viewer to observe and take in the never-ending beauty and inspiration."

If you've not yet been to Morgan's Treasure, add this wonderful shoppers treasure, and meeting jeweler Bill Morgan, to your Uptown shopping list.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Explore the World: July 2008 Fourth Friday

This Friday is the Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau's July 2008 Fourth Friday!!

Fourth Friday's theme is World Bazaar -- entertainment, displays, exhibits, and the usual Fourth Friday favorites along with the always interesting Uptown Westerville shops and restaurants.

Always family and pet friendly, Uptown Westerville on Fourth Friday's is a place for people.

Save the date, by the way, that's right, August's Dog Days of Summer is approaching! Get ready for a tail-waggin' time!!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Fresh Peaches.

The July 23rd Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market will feature fresh peaches from Malabar Acres, fresh sweet corn from Doran's Family Farm and fresh blueberries from Z Blue Berry.

As the growing season progresses, each week is new and exciting -- farm market vendors are currently featuring a wide variety of summer squashes, tomatoes, okra, egg plant, hot peppers, onions, and cabbages.

Today will be a beautiful, cooler day for a perfect visit to the market. Most market vendors have tasting samples, so a trip to the market is a great place to try new flavors and foods. Bring the kids and they can help pick out tonight's dinner fresh from the farm.

The market also features a superb selection of artisan foods -- baked-goods (ahhh, pie!), cheeses, infused honey, maple products, chutneys, mustard, wing sauce, and rubs.

From fresh-baked goods to chutneys to rubs & dried herbs to milk, produce, meats, and eggs the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association presents the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market offers a summer bounty for your table, cupboard, and fridge -- every Wednesday through October 29th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home.

For recipes, directions, market directory, and blog link click here to visit the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market webpage.

See you at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Fresh Sweet Corn

One of the best parts of summer in Ohio: Fresh Sweet Corn!

July 16th is the first week for sweet corn at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Check out Doran's Family Farm when you get to the market.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Market Wednesdays

This week's Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market opens for business on July 9th at 3 p.m.

As the growing season progresses, more and more fresh produce is arriving at the market.

From the scent of fresh strawberries and baked goods to the hands-on experience of choosing produce, the market is an experience for the senses as market shoppers discover their own weekly favorites.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is a great opportunity to run into good friends, taste new flavors, buy favorite foods, and support the Central Ohio farm and food artisan community.

When you buy local -- everyone benefits!

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Wednesday through October 29th in the Church of the Messiah parking lot at N. State and E. Home.

Pictured: Buckeye Mustard, the Farmers' Market entrance at N. State and E. Home, organic green onions from Northridge Organic Farm, Bird's Haven Farm.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Celebrate Art

This weekend, visit the 35th annual Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce Music & Arts Festival at Heritage Park (Cleveland and W. Main) and Everal Barn.

Saturday, June 12th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 13th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free admission. Free parking.


The festival features live music, entertainment (including magic, gymnastics, and storytelling), youth art, artists, youth activities, food concessions, and the Westerville Walkway to celebrate the Westerville creative community.

Heritage Park is a straight shot from 270 north on Cleveland Ave. Free parking is available at the Sports Complex on (325 and 350 N. Cleveland Ave.), Calvary Bible Baptist Church on Cleveland Ave., the COTA park-n-ride lot on W. Main St. tween the senior center and fire station at Collegeview and W. Main), and at the following businesses on Collegeview, south of W. Main: Americheer and the Otterbein College Art & Communication Building.

While you're at the festival, the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association members encourage you to Shop Uptown Westerville (just 1 mile east of the arts festival).

For more information, contact the Westerville Chamber at 614.882.8917 or visit the Festival Website.

Also this weekend, check out Otterbein Summer Theatre and Westerville Parks & Rec's Sounds of Summer Free Music Series features the Beatles tribute band British Invasion at the Alum Creek Park North amphitheatre at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Thanks to Otterbein College Student Abby Hudson for this year's festival poster art. Love this image? We do, too. Get it on a t-shirt! Check out the Chamber booth when you are at the festival -- adult sizes $15/children's sizes $8.

Uptown Westerville is a Place to be Featured in Print

Look in July 2008's Columbus Monthly, Tips & Trends and you'll find information about Outside Envy, 15 N. State St.

Congratulations to Kriss Rogers and Outside Envy!

Outside Envy, 15 N. State, carries an imaginative collection of special ways to accent homes, decks, patios, porches & yards.

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Parades

Westerville says Happy Birthday America!

A few raindrops did not diminish in anyway the enthusiasm for the parade! Uptown Westerville was full of colorful umbrellas and lots and lots of people!

Humorist Erma Bombeck once said: You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.

Truly, The Land of the Free Because of the Brave!

The Westerville 4th of July Parade was a real celebration of America -- old and young, families, friends, and neighbors, individual & group efforts, active military, veterans & civilians, marching bands, color guards, floats from businesses, civic groups & churches, gymnasts, dancers, cheerleaders, skateboarders, scouts, ball players, martial artists, dogs, cars, super soakers, candy, Blue Jackets hockey players, politicians, community outreach, American flags, food collection for W.A.R.M., and cookies from Westerville's own Cheryl's Cookies.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Westerville for a great July 4th parade.

Thank you Hanby School's own Christopher Tedeschi, a fourth grade student, for your winning parade theme.

Thank you Westerville!

Pictured: WUMA Member Amish Originals Furniture Co. says Happy Birthday to America!

Uptown Westerville is a Place to Enjoy Independence Day

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association wants to join you in wishing America a Happy Birthday!

This Friday, Westerville begins the holiday weekend early in the day:

The Rotary 5k Run/Walk starts from Alum Creek Park at 8 a.m.

Visit Uptown Westerville for the Parade (starts at 1:30 p.m. at Heatherdown & S. State, runs north to St. Paul's)

The Symphony performs at the Sports Complex (325 N. Cleveland) at 9 p.m. Look for the red & white tent.

Throughout the weekend, Celebrate Westerville! brings us Ohio Chautauqua, peforming at various locations around the city.

And... Fireworks off Schrock (Alum Creek Park South) at 10 p.m.!!

Check the Rotary Club of Westerville and Celebrate Westerville! websites for details.

Look for parade entries from A Gal Named Cinda Lou and Amish Originals Furniture Co.

These Uptown Merchants have special July 4th hours...

▪ Atattooed (16 N. State): Opens at 11 a.m. and will be open most of the day -- if you don't already have an appointment, just call or email ahead. 614.392.2304 atattooed16@yahoo.com

▪ Dairy Queen (84 S. State): 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

▪ Java Central (20 S. State): Will be open, they are not sure when yet! They will definitely be open during parade hours and just give them a call or email. 614.839.0698 info@java-central.com

▪ Morgan's Treasure (12 W. Main): Opens 10 a.m. and will be open most of the day -- thinking about stopping by later in the day, just call ahead. 614.882.4401 info@morganstreasure.com

▪ Outside Envy (15 N. State St.): 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Closed for sure: A Gal Named Cinda Lou, Amish Originals Furniture Co., Encircle, Sullivan Co.

Your Uptown favorites not on this list? We recommend you call or email ahead.

Click here for the WUMA Member Directory.

Have a safe, happy holiday weekend!

Uptown Westerville is a Place for Shopping Before the Fourth

When you visit uptown and the farmers' market this week, you may see no parking signs and orange cones along State Street.

Because you are driving and your eyes are on the road, you may not notice right away that those no parking signs are only for Friday, July 4th.

So on-street and lot parking as usual uptown except on Independence Day.

Thank you for Shopping Uptown Westerville!

Have a Safe, Happy July 4th Weekend!