From pre-schools to Otterbein University, Westerville is teaming with opportunities for growth and learning. Join the Westerville Visitors & Convention Bureau for the last OhioHealth 4th Friday of the season as the hungry mind is celebrated! A variety of educational opportunities will be on display during OhioHealth 4th Friday: School Daze, September 26, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in historic Uptown Westerville.
Westerville City Schools will have students, staff and administrators on the front lawn of Hanby Elementary School, located at 56 South State Street, presenting activities and achievements from various subject areas. There will also be a variety of tables with additional information about the district.
The District will also have its new FabLab on display. This mobile facility introduces students to advanced manufacturing skills and tools such as laser cutters, 3D printers and robotics.
“Many amazing things are happening in Westerville City Schools,” said Superintendent John Kellogg. “We’re headed in a great direction, which is a testament to the creativity and hard work of the many employees who helped bring these new initiatives to our students. It’s also a testament to everyone in the community who participated in our planning process and helped set the course for providing a 21st century education in our district. We’re excited and proud to be among the trailblazers in many of these new, community-driven ventures.”
Westerville Partners for Education will give a free book to every child who attends that evening and stops by their booth in the Church of the Messiah parking lot at North State and East Home Streets. The giveaway is part of the group’s Book Bonanza to promote reading. Chapel on the Vine will hold a contest at its booth on Winter Street to see which Westerville Elementary School has the most visitors at OhioHealth 4th Friday. Students, parents, siblings and alumni are invited to stop by the booth and register a vote for their school. The votes will be tallied at the end of the evening and the winning schools’ principals will get a check in the mail. First prize is $200! The second and third top vote-getters will receive $100 and $50, respectively. The prizes will be given to help purchase something the school needs.
In addition to information about area daycare and educational activities, more than 100 arts and crafts and product and service vendors will line the side streets of Uptown. Westerville residents can learn more about a planned prohibition park and the upcoming PROS Parks and Recreation renewal levy that will appear on the November ballot.
Participating shops throughout the Uptown will be open until 9:00 p.m. and Uptown eateries and food carts will offer a variety of fare. New this month, the Kinetic Food Truck will offer healthy and unique street food near the intersection of North State and East Home Streets.
Live music will include soloist “Just Chris” on the AAA Ohio Auto Club Music Stage. Generations Performing Arts Center and Excel Martial Arts will demonstrate their skills on West College Avenue, and the Taoist Tai Chi Society and The Academy Irish Dance will both demo near the AAA Stage during the evening.
The Westerville Divisions of Police and Fire will have information, displays and activities for kids. Children will also enjoy the Westerville Puppet Posse and Story Times with the Westerville Public Library at Amish Originals Furniture Company, 38 North State Street.
Seating for the evening will be sponsored by Westerville Caring and Sharing, the Westerville Area Resource Ministry and the EDS Columbus Support Group, which was started in 2011 as a source of support and resource for those suffering from a condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. This genetically passed connective tissue disease affects one in 2,500 people worldwide and is commonly misdiagnosed by physicians. Some with EDS go more than 10 years trying to find answers. Informational literature will be distributed and group members will be available to answer questions.
For those who would like to pedal to the event, the Westerville Bicycle Club is offering a free, secure bike corral behind the Middlefield Banking Company.
4th Fridays are sponsored by the Westerville Visitors and Convention Bureau, with support from OhioHealth, AAA Ohio Auto Club, the City of Westerville and the Arts Council of Westerville. For further information, please visit www.visitwesterville.org or call 614/794-0401.