OPINION: Fireworks displays, Independence Day celebrations planned
Jun. 21—It's almost time to wish America a happy birthday once again.
Spots across Northeast Pennsylvania will host fireworks displays and other events leading up to and on Independence Day (Monday, July 4) as the nation celebrates the 246th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Have an event to add? Email the details to calendar@timesshamrock.com.
Here's when and where you can celebrate.
In God We Place Our Trust: Independence Day Concert
When: Thursday, June 30, 7 p.m.
Where: St. John the Evangelist Parish, 35 William St., Pittston
Details: Visit the Facebook event page.
The combined choirs of the St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph Marello parishes, musicians and community choir members will perform.
Rotary Club of the Abingtons Fireworks
When: Friday, July 1; grounds open, 5 to 10:15 p.m. (rain date: Saturday, July 2)
Where: Abington Heights Middle School, 1555 Newton Ransom Blvd., Clarks Summit
Details: Admission costs $10 per vehicle. Visit the Facebook event page for more information.
Guests can grab some food from vendors ahead of the fireworks display. Parking is not allowed on Newton-Ransom Boulevard. To donate money to cover the fireworks' cost, mail checks payable to the Rotary Club of the Abingtons to P.O. Box 392, Clarks Summit, PA 18411; put "Fireworks 22" in the memo line.
Independence Day Celebration
When: Saturday, July 2, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Fireworks rain date: Sunday, July 3, 10 p.m.)
Where: Thompson Hose Company, 53 Water St Thompson, PA 18465
Details: Call 570-442-1107 or visit the Facebook event page.
The day-long event will include a chicken barbecue starting at 11 a.m., a parade at 11:30 a.m., music by DJ Keystone JukeBox from noon to 5 p.m. and Odd Man Out from 6 to 10 p.m., and fireworks at 10 p.m. Kids also can enjoy bounce houses, and guests can pick up food including pizza, wings, hamburgers, hot dogs, beer, clams and more.
70th Anniversary Fireworks and Movie Spectacular
When: Saturday, July 2, 3 p.m.
Where: Garden Drive-In, 20 U.S. 11, Hunlock Creek
Details: 570-735-5933 or gardendrivein.simpletix.com
The Luzerne County drive-in will celebrate its 70th anniversary as well as Independence Day with an event featuring live music, kids' activities and fireworks followed by movies. Guests also can grab hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks for $1 each until sold out.
30th Anniversary Fireworks Extravaganza
When: Saturday, July 2, 6 p.m. (rain date: Saturday, July 9)
Where: North Pocono School District stadium, Route 690, Moscow
Details: Visit the North Pocono Minisink Lions Club Facebok page.
The North Pocono Minisink Lions Club's annual event features music by Elvis tribute artist Gino Mercuri and the Luongo Brothers, food and drink, family-friendly activities and fireworks. The club also will accept donations for its vision, hearing and scholarship programs.
Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Extravaganza
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders will host a special night as they face the Buffalo Bisons. The first 2,500 guests to enter receive a team PopSocket; Mark Feinsand, author of "The Franchise: New York Yankees: A Curated History of the Bronx Bombers," will sign copies of his recently released book; and the RailRiders will wear special America-themed jerseys. Stay after the game to bid on one of the jerseys in an auction and catch an extended fireworks display.
When: Saturday, July 2, 6:05 p.m.
Where: PNC Field, 235 Montage Mountain Road, Moosic
Details: 570-969-2255 or milb.com/scranton-wb
Independence Day Celebration
When: Saturday, July 2, 8:30 p.m. (rain date: Sunday, July 3)
Where: Central Park, Church and Ninth streets, Honesdale
Details: Visit the Facebook event page.
The Doug Smith Band and the Crystal Band will perform, and guests can grab refreshments and check out vendors ahead of the fireworks that start at dusk. To donate toward the cost of the display, mail contributions to the fireworks sponsor, the Greater Honesdale Partnership, at 32 Commercial St., Suite 3, Honesdale, PA 18431.
Fireworks
When: Saturday, July 2, dusk
Where: Cozy Creek Family Campground, 30 Vacation Lane, Tunkhannock
Details: 570-836-4122 or cozycreekfamilycampground.com
Guests should note that they cannot enter or leave the park during the fireworks display presented by Zy Pyrotechnics, and the campground store also will be closed during that time.
Celebrate America: Music for Independence Day
When: Sunday, July 3, 3 p.m.
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, 97 S. Franklin St.
Details: Contact Raphael Micca at rdmicca@agopane.org or 570-301-9253 or visit agopane.org.
The church and the Pennsylvania Northeast Chapter of the American Guild of Organists present a concert featuring organist Canon Mark Laubach and a combined choir with organist Carl Ruck. The free event is open to the public and also includes prayers, readings and congregational hymns.
Lackawanna County Scrantastic Spectacular
When: Sunday, July 3, 4 p.m.
Where: Lackawanna County Courthouse Square, Scranton
Details: scrantasticspectacular.com
The celebration returns to downtown Scranton for the first time since 2019 and includes food, live music by local bands, and children's games. Percussionists and brass musicians from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic perform at 8, and a fireworks display wraps up the night at 9:30.
Independence Day Celebration
When: Monday, July 4, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Everhart Museum, 1901 Mulberry St., Scranton
Details: 570-561-7584 or 570-983-6485
The Ringgold Pops Orchestra will perform at this daytime holiday event.
Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
When: Monday, July 4, noon to 10 p.m.
Where: Kirby Park, 160 Market St., Wilkes-Barre
Details: 570-821-1111 or wilkes-barre.city/fourthofjuly
The City of Wilkes-Barre presents this day-long event that features food, activities, vendors, a performance by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and more.
July 4th Fireworks
When: Monday, July 4, 6 to 11 p.m.
Where: Camelbeach, 301 Resort Drive, Tannersville
Details: 570-629-1661 or camelbackresort.com
Catch a performance by M80 and grab some food ahead of the fireworks display. Parking costs $12 and benefits local fire and rescue services.
Independence Day Fireworks Over Lake Wallenpaupack
When: Monday, July 4, dusk (rain date: Tuesday, July 5)
Where: Wallenpaupack Area High School, 2552 Route 6, Hawley
Details: 570-253-1960 or northernpoconoschamber.com
The Chamber of the Northern Poconos presents this display visible from the water and around Lake Wallenpaupack, with seating available at Wallenpaupack Area High School. Vehicles are not allowed to park on Routes 6, 590 and 507. Visit the chamber's website to donate toward the cost of the display.
Contact the writer: cwest@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5107; @cheaneywest on Twitter
