4th of July: Top 5 fireworks displays in southcentral Pa.

Show Caption

You can't celebrate the Fourth of July without fireworks.

Here are some great spots to view local fireworks displays, while enjoying live music, food, games and more family fun at the same time.

July4York

Fireworks, food, inflatables, lawn games and live music are all part of the fun at York’s free Fourth of July celebration at People’s Bank Park, 5 Brooks Robinson Way, York. Spend Monday evening on the York Revolution’s home turf, where you’ll find a carnival on the Brooks Robinson Plaza complete with a foam dance party, mechanical bull, lawn games and stadium food – great for an evening out with the family. Stauffer’s Playground will also be open for children to go for a carousel ride or jump in a bounce house. Then, lay out your beach blankets, relax on the field and enjoy a movie, a performance from the Spring Garden Band and a fireworks display. Lawn chairs are not permitted.

Here is a schedule of events:

• 5:30 p.m.: Gates open
• 6 p.m.: Classic Movie Night on the giant video board
• 8:30 p.m.: Spring Garden Band
• 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks

For more information, visit july4york.com.

Jacobus Fourth of July Blast

The Jacobus Fourth of July Blast is back for the 52nd year on Monday at Jacobus Community Park, S. Main St., Jacobus. And this time, the fun kicks off with a Color Festival of Fire and 5K run with music, games, food and plenty of color. The free-admission blast will keep your family busy all day long with entertainment, including children’s parade, book sale, puppet show, games, food and craft vendors, face painting, balloon creations, live music, bingo and more leading up to the fireworks at dusk. The rain date is July 5.

Here is the schedule of events:

• 8 a.m.: Color Festival of Fire and 5K Run (Click here to register)
• 9:15 a.m.: Children’s Parade (starts on Franklin St. in Salem UCC back parking lot)
• 9:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremony at the park’s flag pole
• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Village Library Book Sale in the Ambulance Building Bay
• 10 a.m.: Harmony Hill Puppet Theatre’s “A Dragon’s Tale”
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Jacobus Jackals baseball games
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Music Fest
• 11 a.m.: Chicken Barbecue
• 1 p.m.: Kids Tractor Pull
• 2-4 p.m.: Bingo in the Ambulance Building
• 6 to 9 p.m.: Music on the field
• 9:15 p.m.: National Anthem (followed by fireworks)

Visit www.jacobuspa.com for more information.

Wrightsville Fourth of July Celebration

Bring a chair to Front and Walnut streets in Wrightsville for entertainment and fireworks by the river. The free celebration includes a chicken barbecue at 11 a.m. in the Hope U.M. Church parking lot, 416 Hellam St., games and contests at the Wrightsville Memorial Playground and live music at Front and Walnut streets. Visit www.wrightsvilleborough.com for more info.

Here is the schedule of events:

Wrightsville Memorial Playground (Fourth and Orange streets)

• 10 a.m.: Bicycle contest (prizes for decorative bikes and riding skills)
• 1 p.m.: Pet show
• 1:30 p.m.: Basketball contest
• 2 p.m.: Doll show
• 2:30 p.m.: Baby show (ages 0-1)
• 3 p.m.: Baby show (ages 1-2)
• 3 p.m.: Frisbee contest
• 4 p.m.: Softball throw

Front and Walnut streets

• 6:30-9 p.m.: Twin Rose Community Band
• 7 p.m.: Peanut and lollipop scramble
• 7:30 p.m.: Ice cream walk
• 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks

For the adults

Want to avoid the children’s activities? John Wright Restaurant, 234 N. Front St., Wrightsville, will host a 21-and-over event with a cash bar, beer specials and live music from Copper Sky. Tickets are $30 and also include a picnic buffet of burgers, hot dogs, pork, barbecue and all of the fixings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. After dinner, head to the second-floor deck, where you’ll have a great view of the Wrightsville fireworks. Click here for tickets.

199th Fourth of July in Lititz (July 2)

You’ll see more than a typical fireworks display at Lititz Springs Park’s 199th Fourth of July celebration Saturday. In addition to the festival’s live entertainment, games, baby parade, food and beach party, guests will be treated to a “pyromusical” – a high-tech display choreographed to music. Admission is $12 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. No pets will be allowed.

Here is the schedule of events:

• Noon: Gates open
• 1 p.m.: Children’s games and magic show
• 1:45 p.m.: Annual Baby Parade
• 1:50 p.m.: Pulse Dance Studio
• 2:50 p.m.: Jack Hubley and his Critters
• 3 p.m.: Photo booth and children’s beach crafts at Reedy Pavilion
• 3:45 p.m.: Marian and Friends Ventriloquist
• 4:30 p.m.: Phredd (children’s music)
• 4:45 p.m.: National Anthem and Fourth of July Salute
• 4:50-8 p.m.: Live music
• 8 p.m.: Pulse Dance Studio
• 8:20 p.m.: 75th Queen of Candles Pageant
• 8:45 p.m.: 174th Grand Illumination of Candles
• 8:55 p.m.: Beach dance party
• 9:55 p.m.: Fireworks

Visit www.lititz4thofjuly.com for more info.

Harrisburg Taste of Independence Festival

A food truck festival, fireworks show, live music and children’s activities make Harrisburg a great holiday destination for the Fourth of July. From 3-9 p.m., visitors can fill up on food from about 20 food trucks, including Mad Dash, Tropical Smoothie Café, Uncle Paul’s Stuffed Pretzels and Bricker’s Famous French Fries at Riverfront Park. Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra will also perform.

For more information, visit harrisburgpa.gov/July4th

More Fourth of July events:

YORK COUNTY

Reds, Whites & Blues Festival: Hear live music from Head Shot, Olivia Castriota, Corty Byron and Chaz DePaolo on Saturday and Sly Foxes, Drysdale, Reggie Wayne Morris and Blue Voodoo on Sunday at Moon Dancer Winery’s annual Reds, Whites & Blues Festival. The event runs from 2-10 p.m. both days at 1282 Klines Run Road, Wrightsville. Tickets are $20 for one day or $30 for the weekend. Call 717-252-9463 for more info.

Community Fun Fair: Celebrate Independence Day early at Grace Baptist Church, 780 Woodland Ave., Lewisberry, on Saturday. The church’s community fair will include ice cream, popcorn, carnival games and children’s activities at 7 p.m. and will conclude with a fireworks show around 9:30 p.m. Call 938-6902 or visit www.gbcministry.us for more information.

Springettsbury Township Sounds of Summer Concert Series: Enjoy a fireworks display immediately following the free 7 p.m. performance by The Stickers, a country trio from Pittsburgh, on Sunday at Springettsbury Township Park, 1501 Mount Zion Road, York.

Red Lion July 4th Stay at Home Celebration: You'll find a flea market with crafts and antiques, a chicken barbecue and then 17th annual Roarin' Great Car Show at this celebration on Monday at Fairmount Park, 108 Boundary Ave., Red Lion. The car show runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. A fireworks show will be held on Sunday night at 9 p.m. at Horn Field, 235 Horace Mann Ave., Red Lion.

HANOVER-ADAMS

Hanover Liberty Day Classic: Get your exercise in before you fill up on picnic food at the Liberty Day Classic 10K or two-mile run. The 10K begins at 8:15 a.m., and the two-mile starts at 8:25 a.m. at Moul Field, 15 Moul Ave., Hanover. Entry fees range from $5 to $15. Click here to register. Then, rest up before Hanover’s fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. behind Lowe’s on Eisenhower Drive off Wilson Avenue.

Patriotic Pops Concert and Fireworks: Stop by Gettysburg College Memorial Field, 300 N. Washington St., Gettysburg, for a picnic lunch, live music and a fireworks show on Monday evening. Concessions – including food, soft drinks, ice cream and local beer and wine – will open at 5 p.m. Then, lay out the blankets and lawn chairs for an evening of entertainment, including The Willys, a Gettysburg rock band, from 6-7:30 p.m.; The Gala Pops Orchestra from 8:30-9:30 p.m.; and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The rain date is July 5. Visit www.gettysburg.edu/July4 for more info.

LANCASTER

An 18th Century Independence Day Celebration: This 18th century party will feature 18th century dancing, light refreshments, children’s games, demonstrations by the Firsts Regiment Flying Camp of Lancaster County, an American history trivia contest and a reading of the Declaration of Independence  at Rock Ford Plantation, 881 Rockford Road, Lancaster, on Sunday. The event, held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., costs $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for children ages 6-12. Guided tours of the Rock Ford mansion will also be available. Visit www.rockfordplantation.org or call 717-392-7223 for more info.

NORTHERN MARYLAND

MSO’s Salute to Independence:  The Maryland Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert to honor the men and women who have served our country at the Antietam National Battlefield, 302 E. Main St., Sharpsburg, Md., at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display.