This year Americans will be celebrating the 243rd anniversary of their independence from Great Britain and locally you can expect the usual array of celebrations as well, highlighted by the 24th Annual “Set the Night To Music” celebration in downtown Williamsport. In addition to the large fireworks display, there will be various food and craft vendors on hand and great performances by entertainment groups of various stylings. For the event that goes from 3 to about 11 p.m., in the area of the Hampton Inn. The world’s largest American flag in the world we raised in that area about 10 a.m. on July 4 by two cranes from Allison Cranes.

The Market Street Bridge will be closed Thursday, July 4th from 8:30 p.m. until approximately 10:30p.m. for the fireworks and cleanup.

The “Riverwalk” will be closed Thursday, July 4th from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. from Commerce Park to Maynard St. on the Williamsport side of the river.

There is absolutely no parking or stopping on or around any highway or road during the fireworks. No tents or private fireworks will be allowed in the area of the Hampton Inn.
All those wishing to attend this event are advised no pets, rollerblades/skates, bicycles or skateboards are permitted within the event area.

Handicap parking is in the first floor of the parking deck on Third and Church Streets. River Valley Transit will offer free trolley rides from all City parking lots to the fireworks area from 6 p.m. through 10 p.m.

The following is the list of the entertainment in no particular order.

• TRIP THE LIGHT
• ROCKY ALLEN
• NEW THEORY
• MUMS THE WORD
• LEO & KG WITH FAMILY TRADITION
• UPTOWN MUSIC COLLECTIVE
• LUMPY GRAVY
• SONS OF BILLTOWN
• SOUND PROVIDED BY BLAST ENTERTAINMENT
• K&S MUSIC PROVIDED THE DRUM SET AND BASS AMP

The highlight of the evening of course will be the large fireworks display that will take place at approximately 9:45 p.m. that evening.

Other events in the area include the 59th Jersey Shore Town Meeting held the week of June 29 to July 6 on the Town Meeting Grounds in Jersey Shore. The event has food, vendors and entertainment all week. The big parade will be held beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3. The Tiadaghton Elm ceremony will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 4 and there will be a grand fireworks display to close out the event at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 6.

There will be fireworks at dusk on Wednesday, July 3 at Montgomery Park in Montgomery that will also include food and various musical entertainment in the hours before the fireworks.
In Watsontown there will be an all-day celebration on July 4th at the borough’s Memorial Park. The activities will include a classic car show, the Sixth Annual Arm Wrestling Tournament, a parade beginning at 10 a.m., musical entertainment all day and fireworks at 9 p.m. and of course all kinds of great food from various food vendors.

The 91st Annual Millville Firemen’s Carnival will be held from June 29 to July 6. This is also one of the area’s most noted Independence Day time celebrations as well. The Independence Day Parade held in conjunction with the carnival, steps off at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 4. The carnival culminates with an “Extreme Fireworks Display” the night of Saturday, July 6.

Have a safe and sane July 4th as you celebrate our nation’s birthday and its great heritage.