Westfield Rocks the 4th: Annual Independence Day celebration brings back hot dog-eating contest, adds hot air balloon rides

Westfield Rocks the 4th will again celebrate Independence Day July 4 at Grand Park. Returning favorites as well as new events will be offered.

“The big thing I think this year is, we are going to have hot air balloon,” Community Events Coordinator Alexa Lingg said. “We will be doing tethered rides and we are going to pre-sell tickets through Eventbrite. Adults are $15 and children are $10. Rides run 7:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. and it’s sponsored by Radiant Christian Life.”

A returning favorite will be the hot dog-eating contest.

“The hot dog eating-contest will be right by the stage,” Lingg said. “That is put on by Frank’s Franks. This will be the fourth year.”

Six participants, who are selected through an application process, are challenged to eat five hot dogs, buns included. Whoever consumes them the fastest wins. 

KnockerBall, also known as bubble soccer, will be added to the kids’ zone, which is on Fields 4 and 5 at Grand Park. All activities in the kids’ zone are free. There will be inflatables, bounce houses, slides, face painting, balloon artists, caricature artists, cornhole and other offerings. The kids’ zone activities will be from 2 to 9:30 p.m. except for Knockerball, which is 4 to 9:30 p.m.

Vendors will begin selling at 2 p.m., the same time the event starts. In previous years, it began at 4 p.m.

“Basically, this is to have more exposure for our vendors,” Community Events Coordinator Kelley Wells said. “A lot of attendees showed up early in the past and it’s to be more in line with the car show.”

The Westfield Lions Club will conduct the car show in Parking Lot G. This is the second year the Lions will play host to the car show. All proceeds benefit the Indianapolis Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Registration will be from 1 to 4 p.m. with judging from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Awards are presented at 6 p.m.

VIP parking will be available in Parking Lot G and will be offered in two options – one slot is for 2 to 10:30 p.m. and a shorter slot for 7 to 10:30 p.m. Spots are $10 per vehicle.

Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.

In addition, the Indianapolis Colts’ traveling museum will be on-site to promote the team’s training camp, which begins later this month.

The city is still looking for event volunteers. To volunteer, purchase hot air balloon rides or learn more, visit westfieldwelcome.com.