Fourth of July fireworks, events planned across Lehigh Valley

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

ALLENTOWN | The 54th annual Allentown PAL 4th of July fireworks show kicks off with the band Lucky You joining the Marine Band at 6 p.m. Monday at J. Birney Crum Stadium, Linden and 19th streets.

Face-painting and demonstrations by the Allentown Police Department canine unit and the Allentown Fire Department are also planned. Skydivers, an Allentown 4th of July tradition, make their first appearance at 7:45 p.m. followed by a second flight at 8:30 p.m. and a third flight just before the 9 p.m. expected start of the fireworks.

Gates open at 5:45 pm. Admission is free, but a donation of $5 per family and $2 per adult is requested to defray expenses of the roughly $20,000 show, a city news release states. Food is available for purchase inside the stadium.

ALLENTOWN | Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, 620 W. Hamilton St., will hold its annual re-enactment of the reading of the Declaration of Independence service 10 a.m. Sunday. Kids can enjoy storytime, a patriotic sing along and make their own souvenirs 1:30 p.m. next door at the Liberty Bell Museum, 622 W. Hamilton St. According to a news release, at 2 p.m. Monday, the bell will be rung in unison with bells in Philadelphia and across the country. The event is free for members and Pip’s Pals club. Nonmembers are asked for a donation of $2 per adult and $1 per child. The museum will be open after the service.

BETHLEHEM | The city presents its annual Fourth of July fireworks display at 9 p.m. Monday.

The fireworks will be visible from various areas of the city, particularly around Payrow Plaza on East Church Street. Prior to the display, the American Legion Band will perform a free, 7:30 p.m. concert featuring patriotic music in the plaza.

All activity on Sand Island, the staging ground for the display, will be closed to the public beginning at 8 a.m. Monday. In case of inclement weather, the display will be held at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

BETHLEHEM | ArtsQuest has an entire weekend of Independence Day events at its SteelStacks campus, 645 E. First St. On Saturday, there is a 100 Years of Chevrolet Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., children’s apple pie eating contests from noon to 3 p.m., a historic storytelling group from noon to 5:30 p.m., an 18th century living historian from 2 to 5 p.m. and various concerts during the day. On Sunday, the living historian will again be performing from 2 to 5 p.m. along with several musicians. On Monday, there is an apple pie eating contest for adults from noon to 2 p.m., the historic storytelling group from noon to 5:30 p.m. and the Allentown Symphony playing patriotic music from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The city’s fireworks display is visible from the complex.

BLAIRSTOWN TWP. | The township’s Fourth of July celebration, organized by Herman Shoemaker and Paul Avery, begins with a walk benefitting Cell Phones for Soldiers from Blair Academy, 2 Park St., to Footbridge Park, 79 W. Crisman Road (Route 94). Registration is at 9 a.m. with the walk starting at 10 a.m. Donations are accepted, as are old cell phones, to raise money to buy phone cards for troops overseas.

Opening ceremonies are at 11 a.m. at Footbridge Park, featuring a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Events run until 5 p.m. and include the Miss Liberty Belle Pageant at noon, wine sales, food sales, strolling musicians, children’s activities, a pie tasting, Most Patriotic Pet Contest, skateboarding exhibition, more than 60 exhibitors and vendors, and an Uncle Sam on stilts. It is free and open to surrounding communities.

A fireworks display starts about 9 p.m. at North Warren Regional High School, 10 Noe Road.

E. STROUDSBURG | Pinebrook Bible Conference & Retreat Center, 1 Pinebrook Road, will hold its annual fireworks display and outdoor concert 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The King’s Army and Paul Paoli Band will provide patriotic music. A dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Information: 570-424-1212, pinebrook.org.

HOPE TWP. | The Land of Make Believe offers free admission to the park starting at 10 a.m. Monday to township residents who volunteer their time, as well as Hope Area Chamber of Commerce members and their families. Bring proof of residency or commerce membership. This is the 16th straight year park owner Christopher Maier is making the offer.
NAZARETH | The Nazareth Area annual Kazoo Parade and Patriotic Program kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Nazareth Area High School, 501 E. Center St.
New York blues singer and professional kazoo player Abbe Graber, 54, also known as “Miss G,” of Saugerties, N.Y., will lead marchers down Main Street as grand marshal.

The parade route follows from the high school, up South Liberty Street, right onto Belvidere Street, follows Main Street, turns right up to the circle, travels halfway around and turns onto West Center Street. The parade ends at council chambers, 134 S. Main St.

WASHINGTON | The borough hosts “Washington Celebrates America” Monday starting with the annual Orange Crate Derby 8 a.m. on Broad Street at the borough park entrance. A concert featuring the Quimby Mountain Band is scheduled 4 to 7 p.m. on the athletic field at Warren Hills Regional Middle School, 64-66 Carlton Ave.
The Fourth of July parade lines up at 2 p.m. and steps off at 3 p.m. from Route 31 and Broad Street to Belvidere and Carlton avenues. Fireworks are slated for dusk, following an evening concert scheduled 7:20 to 9:20 p.m. at the middle school athletic field.

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