Pickerington Police

The Pickerington Community Independence Day Weekend Celebration begins on Friday, July 3, with the community’s annual fireworks display starting at 10:00 PM. This show will be rain or shine. There are no rain dates planned.

Viewing Areas & Parking
The primary public viewing areas in the old part of town are:
1) Pickerington Central High School – 300 Opportunity Way
2) Pickerington Central Junior High School – 457 Lockville Road

Parking at both schools is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking will be prohibited on Opportunity Way between Hill Road South and Lockville Road.

Additional parking will be available in the city lot located at the intersection of N. Center St. and Town Square Drive.

Ridgeview Junior High School, located at 130 Hill Rd. South, will be closed to the public for fireworks viewing and parking.

Due to previous safety and security concerns, Victory Park will be closed during the event. Public viewing is available at Sycamore Creek Park near Covered Bridge Lane; however, vehicle parking within the park itself will not be permitted for safety purposes.

Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly by bringing plenty of water, snacks, and any other items needed to stay comfortable throughout the evening.

Weather
The current forecast from the national weather service for Friday calls for sunny skies with a high of 96 and heat index values as high as 105. Friday evening will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 AM and a low of 74.

Public Safety
The Pickerington Police Department will have a significant public safety presence throughout the event, particularly at the Pickerington Central High School and Pickerington Junior High School campuses and in the Old Pickerington area. Officers will be on foot patrol, bicycle patrol, and vehicle patrol. The department's drone unit will also be monitoring the event to help protect public safety.

If you observe suspicious or disorderly behavior, please notify a police officer or call the Pickerington Police Department's non-emergency number at (614) 575-6911. Please reserve 9-1-1 for emergencies requiring an immediate police, fire, or medical response.

Help Keep the Event Safe
This is a family-oriented community celebration, and we ask everyone to be respectful of fellow attendees and to behave themselves. Illegal, disorderly, or unsafe behavior will not be tolerated. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to:

1) Using recreational ma*****na in public or inside a motor vehicle. While Ohio law permits adults 21 and older to use recreational ma*****na in private residences, public consumption remains illegal. Possession by anyone under the age of 21 is also prohibited.
2) Possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages in open containers unless you are in the DORA area.
3) Discharging fireworks at or dangerously close to crowds or occupied areas. The City of Pickerington still has a law (PCO Section 678.10) which prohibits the use of fireworks (except sparklers, smoke bombs and snakes) within the City limits.
4) Operating private drones within the event's restricted airspace, as identified on the event map.
5) Fighting, threatening others, or engaging in any disorderly or disruptive conduct.

Traffic Information
Thousands of attendees and hundreds of vehicles are expected to be in the area throughout the evening. Because the roadways in this area are primarily two-lane roads, traffic congestion following the fireworks display will be unavoidable.

We would appreciate your patience as traffic clears. If you are leaving from the Old Pickerington area, we encourage motorists to travel away from the downtown area whenever possible. Using routes such as Hill Road South, Lockville Road, or Diley Road, rather than driving through the downtown area, will help reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for everyone.

We look forward to celebrating with you and wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day weekend! Thank you for your cooperation!

*Special Olympics-Law Enforcement Torch Run*

Our department, along with Mayor Gray, were honored to participate in the 2026 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics yesterday in downtown Pickerington, alongside the Pickerington Jaguars! Pickerington was the final stop of the South Central region for the Special Olympics State Summer Games Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Ohio (LETR) is a volunteer movement that was established by members of the law enforcement community to support Special Olympics. Each year, officers carry the “Flame of Hope” along with athletes into the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies at The Ohio State University. The flame symbolizes courage, perseverance, and the inclusion movement taking place in Ohio and across the globe.
This event represents courage, perseverance, and the power of community, while raising awareness and funds to support Special Olympics programs. Thank you for the opportunity to support such incredible athletes whose determination and spirit inspire us all!