Star spangled parties
Area communities plan fireworks displays to celebrate Independence Day
For six decades, crowds have packed the streets of Canonsburg every Fourth of July to watch what has become an annual summertime tradition in the borough.
The 61st annual parade will step off at 10 a.m. Thursday. The two-hour-plus procession begins at Casavina Drive and proceeds westward onto Pike Street, ending on Bluff Street.
The ringing of the church bells is set for 9 a.m., followed by remarks from Mayor Dave Rhome and Carmina Vitullo, chair of the Fourth of July Celebration. The national anthem will be sung by Dominique Theodore.
“With it falling on a Thursday this year, it could bring record crowds due to the fact that people will take the holiday and make it a four-day weekend,” Rhome said.
In years past, spectators have reserved their spots with chairs along the parade route days in advance. The practice is now permitted up to 48 hours before the parade begins.
This year’s grand marshals are Chief Master Sgt. Christina Anne Marth, a Canonsburg native, and WTAE meteorologist Ashley Dougherty.
The parade is part of a full day of Fourth activities in the borough, starting at 7:30 a.m. with the 40th Whiskey Rebellion 5K Run/Walk. A free family swim party is scheduled at Canonsburg Town Park from noon to 6 p.m. Rhome stressed that once a certain capacity is reached, no one will be allowed in until some swimmers depart.
The party also will feature activities such as face painting, caricatures and rock climbing. The SNPJ Button Box group will be at the main pavilion at 1:30 p.m. followed by the Tom Turling Band at 3:30 p.m.
The party shifts to Canon-McMillan’s AHN Field at 8 p.m., with fireworks scheduled at about 9:45 p.m.
“If you’re looking for time to spend with family and just enjoy the festivities, this is one town that you want to be in,” Rhome said.
“We always expect a lot of people,” Vitullo added. “We’re usually pleasantly surprised by how many people we have. I’m excited to be chairing the event and hoping everybody has a good time that day and the weather cooperates.”
Communities throughout the region will present fireworks displays and Fourth celebrations. Unless otherwise specified, they will be held on July 4.
Washington County
Bentleyville
Bentleyville’s Independence Day Celebration: July 6 at Richardson Park, 315 Frye Ave. A disc jockey will be playing music from 2 to 10 p.m. There will be a car show from 2 to 6 p.m and a petting zoo from 6 to 7:30 p.m. From 2 to 8 p.m. there will be a bounce house, face painting and hair tinseling and food and craft vendors. Fireworks are set for 10 p.m.
Charleroi
Magic City Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. An Awareness Walk and flag raising are scheduled for 9 a.m., followed by entertainment from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on the main stage at Fifth Street, starting with Mon Valley Association for the Arts Fife & Drum at 11 a.m.; MVAA Band, 11:30 a.m.; Turner & Black, 1 p.m.; Knob Road, 4 p.m., and Kemical Kemileon, 7 p.m. There also will be a number of other festivities on Fifth Street, including children’s activities such as an obstacle course and bounce house, as well as food and artisan vendors. There also will be some vendors and acts in the empty lot on Sixth Street. Fireworks will end the celebration at dusk.
Chartiers Township
Chartiers Day: 6 p.m. Sunday at Arnold Park and the Chartiers Township Community Center, beside Chartiers-Houston High School. The event includes a petting zoo, train, inflatables, balloon magician, vendors, bingo and music by Blended Reality. Fireworks will cap off the evening at dusk.
Claysville
46th annual Summer Festival and Independence Day Celebration: East Finley Park. Events throughout the day include live music, food and activities for the kids and adults. Fireworks culminate the celebration.
Ellsworth Borough
Ellsworth VFC Community Day Celebration: 3 a.m. to dusk at Ellsworth Community Park. The celebration includes music, food trucks, vendors, small games of chance, silent auction, bounce house, car show and a 50/50 raffle. Fireworks top things off at dusk.
Fredericktown
19th annual Riverfest and Fireworks Spectacular: 2 to 10 p.m. July 6 at the riverbank. The Fredericktown Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsor and the event will include food and craft vendors, as well as face painting by makeup artist Candace Orlandi. The Allies Band will be playing classic rock, oldies and southern rock from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Monongahela
Monongahela July Fourth celebration: Gates open at 4 p.m. at the Aquatorium. The Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Mon Valley Academy of the Arts for the event. Featured will be food trucks, vendors, games, live music and a fireworks finale at 9:30 p.m.
Peters Township
Peters Township Community Day: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Rolling Hills Park. There will be vendor booths offering food, games, raffles, entertainment and a beer garden. Children’s activities include free rides, bounce houses, face painting, airbrush tattoos and magic. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
Washington
Spark in the Park: July 6 at Washington Park. Admission is $5 per person, $20 for a legal carload. Gates open at 10 a.m. Admission includes use of the swimming pool, which will open at noon. There will be four bands performing starting at 1:30 p.m. at the main pavilion and continuing until about 30 minutes before the fireworks start around 9:30 p.m. There will be a kids area with an inflatable water slide, face painter and yard games. There will be no charge for admission beginning at 7:30 p.m.
West Alexander
Community Fireworks Night: 6 to 10 p.m. July 5 at West Alexander Fairgrounds, sponsored by the West Alexander Fair and West Alexander American Legion Auxiliary Unit 656. There will be free hot dogs, chips and drinks while supplies last. The community is invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, pop-up tents, coolers, snacks and yard games.
West Brownsville
American Legion Post 940 will host a celebration at 3 p.m. July 6 at 800 Middle St., Brownsville. Food will be available, as well as games for the kids and a bounce house. Fireworks are scheduled for dusk. Music will be provided by Pulse.
Greene County
Waynesburg
The Waynesburg Lions Club has a full slate of July 4 activities scheduled for Lions Club Community Park. Festivities kick off with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Greene County Fairgrounds. There also will be a car show, Little Miss Firecracker Pageant, music and fireworks.
Fayette County
Connellsville
Red, White & Boom Festival: 3 p.m. July 6 in the city’s downtown. There will be food and craft vendors, plus a children’s area with a number of activities. Entertainment will be provided by Bond Turner, Laurie & Shirley Acoustic Duo featuring John Rickard on steel guitar and celebrity disc jockeys. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:45 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Connellsville Festival Association and the Connellsville Parks and Recreation Board.
Uniontown
Founding Day: Saturday at a new location, Marshall Park. The day’s festivities begin with the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. A number of activities such as wagon rides, a kids’ zone and historical tours will be featured. Fireworks are scheduled for around 9:30 p.m.