July 4th festivities in the Lehigh Valley -UPDATE

Celebrate Independence Day in the Lehigh Valley at any of the following events.

Fireworks Displays

-- The Coplay Borough Fireworks Display and 4th Annual Block Party gets under way at 3 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks will be launched from the Coplay Parkway, near Front and Kiefer streets, at approximately 9:45 p.m.

-- Fireworks will begin at approximately 9 p.m. at the Shawnee Mountain Ski Area on Saturday. Gates open at 7 p.m. for DJ music, a magic show and food. The cost is $10 per car with proceeds benefiting the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Co. For more information visit shawneemt.com.

-- Fireworks will fill the skies in Tannersville at Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. A $10 parking fee benefits the men and women of the Pocono Township Fire Department. For more information visit: skicamelback.com.

-- The American Legion Band kicks things off in Payrow Plaza, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem, Sunday with a concert starting at 7:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks display launched from Sand Island at 9:30 p.m.

-- Join the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for a baseball game vs. the Pawtucket Red Sox and a 3D fireworks extravaganza at 7:05 p.m. Sunday.

-- Join Hersheypark, in Hershey, Pa., for a Bowzer’s Rock N’ Roll Party and fireworks display at 10:15 p.m. Sunday. The event is free with regular park admission.

-- Six Flags Great Adventure, in Jackson, N.J., hosts Live and Local concerts Saturday and Sunday and a synchronized fireworks display set to rock music at 10 p.m. Sunday. The event is free with regular park admission.

-- The 53rd Annual Allentown PAL 4th of July Fireworks Show at J. Birney Crum Stadium will include a jet flyover scheduled for approximately 6 p.m., skydivers at 7:30 p.m., a second flyover at 8:30 p.m. and a third just before the fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. A donation of $5 per family and $2 per adult is requested to defray expenses of the approximately $20,000 show. White collection boxes will be manned by volunteers at all four corner entrances to the stadium. Food will be available for purchase.


Other events

-- Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in South Whitehall Township is hosting Celebrate America Weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Special events include a funnel cake eating contest at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. both days.

-- Celebrate the 234th Anniversary of American Independence at the Liberty Bell Museum in Allentown with the following activities:
10 a.m., "Independence Day Service and Reading of the Declaration of Independence" in historic Zion’s Reformed Church sanctuary
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., "America’s Birthday Celebration" in the museum with family activities, a luncheon and America’s birthday cake
1:30 p.m., “Let Freedom Ring National Bell Ringing Ceremony with Pip the Mouse” featuring patriotic music by the Flutations and the ringing of the Liberty Bell at 2 p.m.

-- Lace up your running shoes and register for the 12th Annual Family YMCA Firecracker Four-Miler Run and Walk on Sunday at Fairview Park in Palmer Township. Register between 7 and 8:20 a.m. The the run starts at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 8:35 a.m. For more information visit: familyymca.org

-- The true meaning of the holiday shines through in the Spirit of Americana Celebration 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Footbridge Park in Blairstown, N.J. Featured are games, food, entertainment, rides for children, sack races, a bake-off and a Most Patriotic K-9 contest. For more information visit: warrencountychamber.org

-- The Crazy Heart Band will provide relaxing country music from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Shippen Manor in Oxford, NJ. The concert is free. Listeners are invited to bring food.

-- Bethlehem Brew Works hosts a Super Smokin’ Sunday BBQ on Sunday. Call 484-223-2020 for reservations and information.

-- Music is in the air at Knoebels on Sunday. Enjoy a tribute to Reba McEntire at 1:30, 6 or 8:30 p.m. or view the magic of Ben Salinas at 1 p.m. The event is free with regular park admission.

Later events

-- Fireworks in Nazareth will be held in conjunction with the Nazareth Day celebration, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 17. Sponsored by Vigilance Hose Co. No. 1, the display gets started at 10 p.m. For more information visit: nazarethchamber.com.

-- Fireworks in Easton are set to begin at 9:30 p.m. July 11, marking the conclusion of Heritage Day starting at noon. Park yourself along Larry Holmes Drive for the best viewing of ground displays. The aerial show is viewable from many vantage points around the city. For more information visit: heritageday.org.

Express Times