Downtown Williamsport’s skies will again light up brightly when the 28th Set Night to Music Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4th, to celebrate our nation’s 247 anniversary of independence.
Again, as they have the previous 27 times, the good folks at Backyard Broadcasting are front and center in helping to put on this always highly anticipated activity.
“We at Backyard are very proud of our role in putting on Set the Night to Music.” We helped originate the event back in 1996,” Ted Minier, operations manager for Backyard Broadcasting, told Webb Weekly. “We partnered with the City of Williamsport, the Pennsylvania National Guard, and many other groups to help make this a success.”
Festivities kick off at 3 p.m., featuring — in no particular order — The Uptown Music Collective, Leon and Kristen with Family Tradition, the Classic Tymes Band, Raising Kane, and The Flipside Band. The entertainment will be located on the stage at the Hampton Inn.
In addition to the outstanding fireworks show, the centerpiece of the celebration is the giant 114 by 65-foot American flag, which will be raised by members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and hoisted and displayed on cranes from Allison Crane and Rigging Company. This will be the perfect patriotic backdrop for this great celebration.
Mayor Derek Slaughter will lead those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The fireworks are scheduled to be set off at approximately 9:40 p.m.
The Market Street Bridge will be closed Tuesday, July 4th, from 8:30 p.m. until approximately 10:30 p.m. for the fireworks and cleanup.
The “River Walk” will be closed Sunday, 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.
Handicap parking is on 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.
Minier wished to single out for thanks several businesses, groups, and individuals who are instrumental in the success of this event.
“Allison Crane and Rigging, who supply the cranes needed to raise the flag, and have their operators available all day in case old glory has to be lowered and untangled because of the wind or weather conditions.
“The Pennsylvania Army National Guard, who are the custodians of the flag and
are always on-site to help with the raising and lowering of the flag to ensure proper flag etiquette.
“Staiman Recycling who supply flatbed trucks that are loaded with fireworks and then driven on the Market Street Bridge by their drivers for the actual fireworks show at 9:40 p.m., they also supply the trucks used for the band stages.
“Rich Reeder and his family built the entertainment stage the day before the event and then tear it down after the fireworks show.
“Wegmans and Kohls, who are adjacent to the vendor/entertainment site…and of course, Dan Klingerman and the Liberty Group for allowing us the use of the Hampton Inn and Perkins parking lots.
“Our hosts, the City of Williamsport and its many departments and individuals, will work on the holiday so that the rest of us can enjoy the day and its festivities.
“And finally, our community-minded sponsors who foot the bill for our world-class Zmbelli fireworks show: UPMC Susquehanna, Pennsylvania Skill, Casale, Bonner, Hillman and Southard, E.H. Kleckner Inc, Home Service Beverage Company, Pepsi Bottling Group, Professional Petroleum, Pneu-Dart, Quality Air Mechanical, Rhone’s RV, RoofX, Surplus City, Van Campen Motors, VFW Post 7863 DuBoistown, and Woodlands Bank.”
There are a few other 4th of July celebrations happening locally also.
In Montgomery, there will be fireworks at dusk on Monday, July 3rd. And as always, the Annual Jersey Shore Town Meeting will be taking place during the week of July 4th.
In nearby Watsontown, their July 4th celebration will take place on Tuesday, July 4th, with a parade at 10 a.m. and music all day from various groups. Their fireworks will take place at dusk.
As you can see, there are lots of great opportunities available to celebrate this nation’s 247th birthday. Have a safe, sane, and sober Independence Day!
