Fireworks at J. Birney Crum stadium in Allentown.
(Credit: Mustafah Abdulaziz/TMC)
Kutztown Festival: Although this local favorite may be all about Pennsylvania German culture, we’re all Americans in the end. To celebrate the nation’s birthday, there will be a parade — featuring the Heidelberg and Sauerkraut bands — that will lead to the main stage for hours of Independence music and entertainment.
Festival runs every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday at the Kutztown fairgrounds, Route 222 between Allentown and Reading. Price is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, children 12 and under are free. Call 610-683-1597 or visit kutztownfestival.com for more info.
“Declaration of Independence” re-enactment: Each year, members of Zion’s United Church of Christ in Allentown re-reads the revolutionary document, dress in period garb and ring the city’s Liberty Bell, which once hung in the church tower. To encourage participation, the church will distribute “mob caps” to children, who along with adults, can portray colonists. The church service will feature singer Bernice Green and recognize the Lehigh Valley African History Project.
The service starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday at 620 W. Hamilton St. For more info, call 610-435-2412.
Heritage Day: This annual Easton event will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Easton, signed in the city’s Centre Square in 1758. The document was considered a turning point of the French and Indian War. It decreed that Native Americans would not fight on the side of the French against the British provided that the British in Pennsylvania did not establish any settlements west of the Allegheny Mountains after the conclusion of the war. The day will feature various musical acts, including Sarah Ayers Band and Michael Sherer singing Sinatra, church services, tours of Easton, a parade, a reading of the declaration of Independence and a fireworks show.
Events run from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 13. For a specific schedule and more info visit heritageday.org.
“Old-Fashioned” Fourth: Fonthill Museum is goin’ patriotic all day Friday. Hitch a ride on the hay wagon and explore a turn-of-the-century world with music, sack races, cake walks, stilt-walkers, tug-o-wars and a decorated bike parade. There are more kid-friendly things you’ll know what to do with, and picnic food to boot.
Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for kids 5 to 17. Children under 5 are free. Event runs from noon to 5 p.m. on the museum grounds, E. Court Street & Route 313, Doylestown. For more info visit fonthillmuseum.org or call 215-348-9461, ext. 10.
Popcorn and Politics: The Lehigh-Pocono Committee of Concern “Peace Center” presents the film “Born on the Fourth of July” Friday evening at 7 p.m. The 1989 film by Oliver Stone is the true story of Ron Kovic, an All-American boy who turns into an anti-war activist after he returns from the Vietnam War, paralyzed. What better time for political discussion than the nation’s birthday?
LEPOCO Peace Center is located at 313 W. 4th St., Bethlehem. The show is free. For more info call 610-691-8730 or visit lepoco.org.
ROAD TRIP TO PHILADELPHIA
Welcome America: The rich, historical vibe of downtown Philadelphia is always there, but it pulses a little stronger come fourth of July weekend. And that’s in part thanks to Sunoco’s “Welcome America!” celebration. The nine-day event, which runs through July 6, boasts the requisite food, drink and entertainment, ranging from free concerts by pop masters John Legend and Boyz II Men, a real wedding between re-enactors who portray Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin, “Taste of Philadelphia” at Penn’s Landing, parades and a little Latin flavor with “Fiesta on the Parkway” — a perfect excuse to learn how to salsa dance. Don’t miss the fireworks following both the Legend and Boyz II Men Concerts, on July 4 and 5, respectively.
For more details and a complete schedule of events, visit americasbirthday.com or call 215-683-2200.
Adventure Aquarium: Spend your holiday communing with nature at Camden’s Adventure Aquarium. The marine-life center is holding an “after-hours” party on July 5, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Watch underwater divers connect with hundreds of sea creatures and marvel at the hippos, African birds and 40-foot shark tunnel. Afterward, step outside for a front-row view of Philly’s fireworks display on the waterfront promenade.
Tickets are $22 for adults and $16 for children, ages 2-12. For more info call 865-365-3000 ext. 7375 or e-mail eveningadventures@adventureaquarium.com.
USS Carney: Honor the nation’s military by visiting the USS Carney. The Navy vessel, home to 300 men with a home port of Mayport, Fla., will be docked at Penn’s Landing — Market Street to Chestut Street — through July 5. Tours are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 215-928-8801 or visit pennslandingcorp.com.
NYC SPECTACLE: MACY’S FIREWORKS
It’s hard to beat lying in a park, gazing up at a sky of fireworks. But then again, few fireworks displays rival Macy’s annual New York City show. So corral the kiddies in the living room and enjoy the fourth of July live broadcast on NBC, starting at 9 p.m. with platinum-selling artist Gavin DeGraw singing “America the Beautiful.” Natasha Bedingfield, Kenny Chesney and “American Idol” gals Jordin Sparks and Katharine McPhee will also perform.
For more information, call Macy's Hotline at (212) 494-4495.
FIREWORKS
JULY 4
ALLENTOWN: J. Birney Crum Stadium, 21st and Linden streets. Entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. includes skydivers and music by the Marine Band of Allentown. Fireworks start around 9 p.m. Suggested donation: $2; $5 per family. Rain date, July 5.
BETHLEHEM: Sand Island. Music by the Bethlehem Legion Band 7:30 p.m. at Payrow Plaza, 10 E. Church St.. Fireworks start at 9 p.m.
CATASAUQUA/NORTH CATASAUQUA: Two-day event kicks off with a parade 9 a.m. July 4 from Second Street and Howertown Road, Catasauqua, and travels north on Howertown Road to the North Catasauqua Playground for an opening ceremony. Food, music, craft tables, flea market and games will take place both days. Fireworks, July 5 at Alumni Field. Rain date July 6.
DORNEY PARK: South Whitehall Township. Fireworks at, 9:30 p.m.
EAST STROUDSBURG: Dansbury Park. American Freedom Festival featuring live music, food, artisan and merchant bazaar, rides ($10) and games 2-9 p.m., fireworks go off at 9 p.m. over Lake Wallenpaupack. Rain date July 5. www.americanfreedomfestival.com.
QUAKERTOWN: Community Day Celebration events begin 8 a.m. in Quakertown Memorial Park and inlcude pancake breakfast, an antique car show, games, food booths, on-stage programs, Quakertown Band (7:30 p.m.). Fireworks 9:30 p.m. Rain date July 5.
JULY 5
PEDDLER’S VILLAGE, Bucks County: Celebration of Freedom with entertainment, crafts and more, 4-10 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
CAMELBEACH WATERPARK, Tannersville: 9 p.m. Rain date July 6.
COPLAY: Community block party with rides, food and more begins at noon on Keifer Street between Second and Cherry streets.Fireworks at dusk.
JIM THORPE: Stay-At-Home Celebration begins at noon at Memorial Park with games, rides, food, entertainment, contests. Fireworks at 9 p.m.
SHAWNEE PLACE PLAY AND WATER PARK: Fireworks at dusk. Rain date July 6.
SLATINGTON: Car show, music by The Majestics, food in the Emerald Fire Company Grove, Penn Street. Fireworks at 10:30 p.m.
JULY 6
PERKASIE: Fireworks launch at 9:15 p.m. in Lake Lenape Park, Route 152, at the conclusion of Pennridge Community Day, featuring games, races and food. Rain date is July 13.
JULY 13
EASTON: Heritage Day Celebration events begin with the reading of the Declaration of Independence, food games, more on Riverside Drive. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m., Riverside Park.
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