As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, communities around Centre County will mark Independence Day this week with parades, festivals, fireworks and more.
Here’s a look at some of the Fourth of July celebrations in store this week throughout the area
JULY 2
Palmer Museum of Art
Inspired by the opening of the new exhibition “Dreaming American Futures: Invitational 250,” the Palmer Museum of Art will host 250 Community Day: We the People from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 2. The event will invite visitors to explore the museum’s first juried exhibition and take part in a guided walk through the Arboretum starting at the Overlook Pavilion at 11 a.m. At 1 p.m., community leaders will delivers readings of the Declaration of Independence and speeches by notable American figures (ASL interpretation provided). At 6 p.m. local artists will participate in a gallery conversation.
Throughout the day, enjoy art activities, free hot dogs, ice cream, cookies and other refreshments. Parking is free all day.
JULY 3
Julian
The Hall family’s 20th annual fireworks display is set for July 3 at 659 Beaver Road. Gates will open at 4 p.m. Admission is $15 per car and $2 per person for walk-ins. Festivities will include a D.J., 50/50 and more. Food will be available for purchase from Snyder’s Concessions and other vendors. Personal grills and tailgating are permitted. No alcoholic beverages or personal fireworks are allowed. Visitors are asked to park where directed and not litter. Carpooling is encouraged, and vehicles will be turned away if parking reaches capacity. The event will be held rain or shine.
Bellefonte
Bellefonte’s 250th Celebration will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3, with a parade starting at the high school and continuing on Bishop, Allegheny and High streets to Talleyrand Park. The parade will be followed by a dedication of this year’s Hometown Hero banners and a concert featuring the combined Bellefonte and State College Community Bands. Community businesses and nonprofits also will be stationed around the park with “Melting Pot Food Tastings” representing the nation’s heritage.
The festivities are organized by Historic Bellefonte Inc. and Downtown Bellefonte Inc.
JULY 4
State College
Central PA 4th Fest’s Firecracker 4k will kick off Independence Day with a 9 a.m. start at the corner of Porter and Curtin roads on the Penn State campus. Registration is $35.76, or $21.76 for participants 18 and under and 70 and older.
Centre Region Parks and Recreation will host the Kids on Wheels Parade with lineup at 9:30 a.m. on East Foster Ave at Locust Lane and step off at 10 a.m. Families are invited to bring their kids’ decorated bikes, scooters, wagons and more to roll down Foster Avenue ending at Sidney Friedman Park, where there will be yard games, festive activities, cake and watermelon.
The annual Fourth of July parade in downtown State College, this year sponsored and organized by the nonpartisan nonprofit Freedom Rising USA, will lineup at 10 a.m. and step off at 11 a.m. from Burrowes Road. It will travel eastbound on College Avenue before dispersing at Shortlidge Road.
Central PA 4th Fest activities will begin at 4 p.m. with a smaller setting this year inside Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, with family activities, entertainment and food available for purchase from ballpark concession stands. Admission is free. Reserved seating is available for purchase for $9.26 or $19.26. Parking ranging from $11.63 to $79.91 can also be purchased in advance.
The annual fireworks show will start around 9:40 p.m. with choreographed music simulcast on 99.5 FM The Bus.
University Wine Company will host live music and local food trucks from noon to 9 p.m., and patrons are invited to stay to watch the 4th Fest fireworks.
Millheim
Penns Valley’s Fourth of July celebration will take place behind the Millheim Fire Company. A concession stand run by the Penns Valley cheerleaders will open at 5 p.m. and a ceremony honoring veterans is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dark. Admission is free.
Howard
Fireworks hosted by Smith & Croak Construction and the Strunk and Whitehill families will light up the sky in Howard beginning at dusk on July 4. The show is expected to last about 60 to 90 minutes, and the best places to watch are West End Park, the dike and the GP Cabinets property, organizer Rex Smith wrote on Facebook.
