Fourth of July Fireworks Light Up the Sky Over Medlar Field

Central PA 4th Fest didn’t have its typical Independence Day celebration for the second year in a row, but the annual event did team up with the State College Spikes to put on a fireworks spectacular on Sunday night.

A record crowd of 7,183 people packed into Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for the Spikes’ late afternoon game against the Trenton Thunder, shattering the previous single-game attendance record of 6,111 set in 2016.

Trenton stole the thunder and produced most of the fireworks on the field, taking a 12-3 victory. Nevertheless, the fans in attendance were treated to a booming display afterward.

Because of uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit 4th Fest organizers were not able to plan for a daylong event that in normal years features a 4k race, parade, food and entertainment leading up to what is has been rated among the biggest and best Fourth of July fireworks displays in the country.

Partnering with the Spikes allowed the fireworks show to go on, 4th Fest Board President Kurt Weibel said last month. Though Medlar Field was only open to ticket holders and the usual tailgating-like scene near Beaver Stadium was absent, the display was visible from elsewhere in the Centre Region.

4th Fest organizers are hopeful the event will be back to its traditional format next year, with a full day of activities capped by the nation’s largest volunteer-run fireworks show.

Planning is already underway and Weibel said the organization hopes to make the return of 4th Fest something special.

“That is definitely the plan,” he said.