In keeping with Founding Father and second American President John Adams’ urgings that Independence Day should be celebrated with “pomp, parade, illumination, and fireworks,” there will be lots of July 4th celebrations featuring those fireworks.
The most notable of these will be the 27th annual “Set the Night to Music” celebration in downtown Williamsport, sponsored by Backyard Broadcasting. The yearly celebration will feature its usual colorful and exciting fireworks display amid the patriotic backdrop of a large American flag hoisted between two large cranes.
This event, as usual, will feature a large number of food and crafts vendors as well as various musical acts. The schedule and names of the various musical groups and the times they are to perform had not been made available by event organizers as of press time. The live music is set to begin at 3 p.m. in the area of the parking lot of the Hampton Inn.
The event will follow procedure as it has in previous years — the Market Street Bridge will be closed Monday, July 4th, from 8:30 p.m. until approximately 10:30 p.m. for the fireworks and cleanup.
The “River Walk” will be closed Monday, July 4th, from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. from Commerce Park to Maynard St. on the Williamsport side of the river.
All those wishing to attend this event are advised no pets, rollerblades/skates, bicycles, or skateboards are permitted within the event area.
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.
Other events in the area include the Jersey Shore Town Meeting held the week of July 3rd to July 9th on the Town Meeting Grounds in Jersey Shore. The event has food, vendors, and entertainment all week.
In nearby Montgomery, there will be fireworks at dusk on Sunday, July 3rd, in Montgomery Park. Food and craft displays will be on hand beginning at 4 p.m.
Watsontown makes an all-day affair of its July 4th celebration. A parade begins at 10 a.m., there will be musical entertainment all day, and fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Of course, they will have all kinds of great food from various vendors.
In Millville, in nearby Columbia County, the July 4th celebration will center around the 93rd annual Millville Firemen’s Carnival, held from July 1st to 9. The 122nd Millville Independence Day Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 4th. The theme of the parade is “The 250th Birthday of Millville.” A giant fireworks display is slated for 11 p.m. Saturday, July 9th.
Because some people choose not to be responsible and considerate of their neighbors and others, the Pennsylvania legislature is considering legislation restricting fireworks activities from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. That is close to passage. Please, if you use fireworks, do so sensibly, safely, and in consideration of your neighbors and any animals in the area.
Have a safe and fun July 4th holiday; as you can see, a wide variety of activities are available in the area to celebrate the 246th anniversary of our nation’s birthday.
