Fireworks to launch at ‘Philipsburg Festival’ this summer

PHILIPSBURG — Pat Romano, owner of the We Are Inn in Philipsburg, has a message for the public: “We are … back!”

Romano sought and was granted permission by the Philipsburg Borough Council to have a fireworks display on July 10. Fireworks are a beloved tradition of Philipsburg’s annual Heritage Days, which was canceled this year because of COVID concerns.

The Heritage Days committee must begin planning the festival months in advance and canceled when mandates and restrictions were still uncertain.

“Once the Heritage Days committee announced they were canceling, we sat back and thought, ‘We gotta do something,’” Romano said.

“As important as it was for everybody to follow the mandates and do their part, I think it’s equally as important now that the mandates are all being lifted, that we get out and do something. For kids, fireworks are magical, and for kids to miss another year of it, they’re getting older and missing a part of the culture of the area, so we decided we were going to do it.”

Romano and a group of area businesses are working together to organize a smaller event they’re calling “Philipsburg Festival” to include a day of food, fun and family entertainment.

“Without even asking, a couple people called and offered to help pay the $4,000 for the fireworks,” said Romano.

“Stiver Trucking immediately gave $500, Nails by Nicci gave $500, Kevin Murphy from Shindig Alley came over and gave $100, and a couple other people pledged $500.”

The Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation (PRC) will kick off the festival with the Wilderness City 5K trail run around Cold Stream Dam, beginning at 9 a.m., with prizes from local businesses awarded to winners in different age groups. Registration is available on the PRC’s website: welovephilipsburg.com.

“I’m very excited about this race,” said Elliott Lauder, PRC board member and race coordinator.

“The Wilderness City 5K is a great way to not only get the community involved in enjoying an amazing local treasure, but also showing some history of it all wrapped in a fun, family-friendly event. People are looking for a way to regain a sense of normalcy, and I feel like an outdoor event like this is a great way to create that while maintaining precaution. Community involvement, learning about our hometown history and supporting local business all in one — that is what the PRC is all about.”

Romano has been hosting events at the We Are Inn to benefit the Hope Gala, an organization that does yearround fundraising to battle pediatric cancer. The Hope Gala is once again hosting the Happy Valley Cruise, and Romano is on the cruise event committee.

Romano says he’s hoping to get some Penn State legends, including Sue Paterno, Blair Thomas, Franco Harris and others, to come to Philipsburg Fest and combine the day as a celebration of the town with a promotion of the Happy Valley Cruise and the Hope Gala.

“This event will hopefully bring the town a lot of publicity,” said Romano.

Romano has plans to auction some Penn State memorabilia throughout the day. Zero Tolerance is also slated to perform on a stage outside the We Are Inn leading up to the fireworks.

The Saturday will also include a car “cruise-in” downtown on Front Street and possibly a service at the veterans’ memorial.

“I don’t want to leave anybody out who wants to do something,” said Romano.