Top 5 spots to see fireworks July 4, 2015 in York, Hanover, Gettysburg, more
Don't let the Fourth of July pass you by without seeing an exciting display of red, white and blue lights illuminate the night sky.
Here are the top five spots to see fireworks in the region.
1. Santander Stadium (5 Brooks Robinson Way, York):
Catch a free fireworks display and Fourth of July community celebration on the York Revolution's home turf Saturday, July 4. July4York includes lawn games, barbecue grills, beer, food, live music and, of course, the fireworks. The festival is family-friendly with children's inflatables, water amusement and a foam dance party at Brooks Robinson Plaza outside the stadium and a carousel, inflatable slides, obstacle course and climbing challenges at Stauffer's Playground inside the stadium.Here is a schedule of events:
5:30 p.m.: Gates open to the festival at Brooks Robinson Plaza
6 p.m.: Country singer Brittany Opperman performs on the field
8 p.m.: The 19-member U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors returns to York for the third year to perform big band swing, Latin, contemporary jazz, Dixieland and patriotic tunes on the field.
9:30 p.m.: Bring a blanket and watch a patriotic fireworks display from the field or in the seating bowl. Lawn chairs are not permitted.
Free parking can be found at the Small Athletic Field next to the stadium, Northwest Triangle on Beaver Street and parking garages on Philadelphia and King streets.
2. Jacobus Community Park (South Main Street, Jacobus):
The annual Jacobus Fourth of July Blast kicks off with a 1-mile walk/run Fourth of July morning and includes games, vendors, face painting, water wars, balloon creations, bingo, chicken barbeque, a book sale and more leading up to the fireworks at dusk.Here is a schedule of events:
8 a.m.: Register at Salem UCC Church, 24 Franklin St, for the Family and Friends 1-mile walk/run.
9:15 a.m.: The Children's Parade, featuring decorated bikes, non-motorized scooters and wagons, begins on Franklin Street in the Salem UCC back parking lot.
9:30 a.m.: An opening ceremony honors military and emergency responders 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. to 6 p.m.: Music Fest
1 to 2 p.m.: Kids Tractor Pull
2 to 4 p.m.: Bingo in the Jacobus Lions Club Ambulance Building
6 p.m.: Harmony Hill Puppet Theatre performs "From the Bottom of the Sea" in the Ambulance Building.
6:15 to 9 p.m.: First Capitol Drum Line and Emigsville Band performs on the field
9:15 p.m.: National Anthem
Dusk (around 9:15 p.m.): Fireworks
For a complete schedule and more information, visit jacobuspa.com.
3. Gettysburg College (300 N. Washington St., Gettysburg):
Bring lawn chairs and a picnic and gather around Gettysburg College's Memorial Field, located off Constitution Avenue, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4 for a Patriotic Pops Concert featuring Sunderman Conservatory of Music faculty and students and members of the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra. Following the concert, a fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks can be viewed from Memorial Field, Gettysburg National Military Park and the surrounding area. Food and refreshments, including Adams County wine and craft beer, will be for sale during the concert and fireworks display. For more in Adams County, read this about the re-enactments in Gettysburg July 3-5.4. Moul Field (Moul and Ridge Avenues, Hanover):
A 10K run or 2-mile Huston Hustle kicks off a day of home run contests, horseshoes, volleyball, children's games, food, music and more at the 40th annual Liberty Day Classic Saturday, July 4. The 10K starts at 8:15 a.m., followed by the Hustle at 8:25 a.m. Registration is open from 7:15 a.m. to 8 a.m. for both events. A fireworks display will conclude the evening at 9:30 p.m.5. Lititz Springs Park (24 N. Broad St., Lititz):
The fireworks at Lititz's annual Red, White & Cool celebration Saturday won't be your average fireworks display. For the sixth year in a row, Celebration Fireworks will put on a "pyromusical" fireworks display that is choreographed and synchronized to music. In addition to fireworks, the festival includes live music, food, children's games, magic shows, 1950s cars and more from noon to 9:45 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the gate or $10 in advance. Children 12 and under are free. No pets, bicycles, skateboards or scooters will be permitted in the park.Here is a schedule of events:
Noon: Gates open
12:30 to 4 p.m.: Historical artifacts from the 1950s at the Beck Memorial Band Shell
12:30 to 6 p.m.: Children's games
1:30 to 2 p.m.: Panning for gold with Gen. John A. Sutter
1:45 to 2:15 p.m.: Magic show by Vanden the Great
2 to 3 p.m.: Children's storytelling by Rita Clarke at Burkholder Pavilion
2 to 4 p.m.: Mama Tried Band performs
2 to 7 p.m.: Balloon sculptor and magic shows
2:25 to 2:55 p.m.: Pulse Dance Studio performs
4 to 4:45 p.m.: 26th Annual Baby Parade
4:30 to 5 p.m.: Pulse Dance Studio performs
4:50 p.m.: National Anthem
5 to 6 p.m.: Lititz Community Band performs
6:15 to 7 p.m.: Mama Tried Band performs
7:15 to 7:50 p.m.: Chris Poje performs '50s doo wop
8 to 8:25 p.m.: Pulse Dance Studio performs
8:30 to 9 p.m.: 74th Queen of the Candles Pageant
8:45 p.m.: 172nd Grand Illumination of Candles
9:45 p.m.: Fireworks
For more information, visit lititz4thofjuly.com.
More Fourth of July festivities:
'Guess We're Already There' art exhibit (York): This new patriotic exhibit at The Parliament, 116 E. King St., York, features works that reflect the diverse nature of American culture. An opening reception, including acoustic music from Kid Cousin, light refreshments and tea, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. The show runs July 1 through Aug. 30.
Fireworks at the Fairgrounds (Stewartstown): Kick off your Fourth of July weekend Friday evening at Hopewell Area Recreation & Parks, 16 College Ave. Festivities include food vendors at 5:30 p.m., music from J.C. Fisher Band from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. The rain date will be Sunday, July 5.
Faith, Family & Fireworks (Red Lion): Pleasant View BIC Church, 434 E. Lancaster St., Red Lion, will sell snacks, drinks and baked goods starting at 7 p.m. Friday. Music starts at 7:30 p.m., and a fireworks display will follow. For details, call 717-244-4448.
Color Me Free Celebration (Springettsbury Township): Your white T-shirt will soon be splattered in red and blue paint at the Color Me Free Celebration at Heritage Hills Golf Resort, 2700 Mount Rose Ave. Festivities begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 4 with the Color Me Free 5K Color Run across the golf course at Heritage Hills. Registration is open from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 3 in the Links Center and at 7 a.m. Saturday, July 4 in the Terrace. Golfers can also participate in the Worst Tee Shot Partners Golf Tournament at 7 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Ballyhoo Academy and American Legion Post #605. For details, visit www.heritagehillsathleticclub.com/color-me-free.
Hersheypark (Hershey): Ride some coasters and enjoy a Star Spangled Picnic Saturday at Hersheypark, 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, before a fireworks display at 10:15 p.m. 193 Special Operations Wing, Base Honor Guard will kick off the holiday by presenting the colors at the front gate at 9:45 a.m. The Hersheypark Band will also perform the National Anthem. From 4 to 8 p.m., guests can enjoy a picnic lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork barbeque, fruit salad, potato salad, chips and ice cream for $15 at Pioneer Frontier Catering Pavilion. A cash bar will also be available. Purchase tickets online or at Hospitality Services. Then, find a good spot for the fireworks at 10:15 p.m. Hersheypark suggests the view from Midway America in the park.
Pour (Lancaster): Stop by Pour Wine & Beer Bar, 114 N. Prince Street, Lancaster, between 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday for burgers, sausages, live music and Jack Daniel's and Finlandia vodka cocktail specials. Plus, you could win prizes ranging from a free beer of T-shirt to a $50 gift card. Pour will also accept donations of money, clothes, blankets and furniture for Veterans Victory House. For more information, visit pouronprince.com.
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm (Lancaster): The farm at 150 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks, launches its summer season with the grand opening of its 20th annual Amazing Maize Maze and Country Pig Races Saturday, July 4. This year's maze theme is "20 Years of Trails & Rails," a tribute to the Strasburg Rail Road Steam Train that runs through the property. The maze has three difficulty levels: easy, intermediate and advanced. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. For rates and more information, call 866-546-1799 or visit CherryCrestFarm.com.
City Island (Harrisburg): Harrisburg's Fourth of July celebration will feature six musical acts, a children's area, face painting, a balloon artist and a magician. Festivities will conclude at 9:15 p.m. with a fireworks display and coordinated performance by the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra in Metro Bank Park, 245 Championship Way, Harrisburg.
Worship service and patriotic concert (York): The First Capital Brass will provide patriotic music during and at the conclusion of the service at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4 at St. John Episcopal Church, 140 N. Beaver St., York. As participants leave, they are invited to ring the Liberty bell, located at the back of the church. Light refreshments will follow the concert.
Battle of the Bands (New Freedom): Local amateur bands will battle it out on stage from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the New Freedom Fairgrounds, 1 Playground Alley, New Freedom. Before the show, catch the New Freedom Parade at 4 p.m. No pets are allowed on carnival grounds. No fireworks will be held on Saturday, July 4, but guests can attend the children's fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, and the main fireworks display at midnight Friday, July 3. For details, visit www.newfreedomlionsclub.org/carnival.html.
A Roarin' Great Car Show (Red Lion): The show — from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Fairmount Park, 300 Boundary Ave., Red Lion – is open to all years, makes and models. Registration is open from 8 to 10 a.m. and costs $10 per vehicle by July 3 or $12 per vehicle day of event. The show also features entertainment by DJ Services; a splash park for kids; and craft, antique and flea market vendors and food. Fireworks are July 3. Proceeds benefit Red Lion New Year's Eve celebration. For details, call Keith Zimmerman at 717-244-0484.
Know of any more Fourth of July events? Email azelko@ydr.com.
Correction
This article previously stated that Heritage Hills Golf Resort would offer fireworks on July 4. The resort will not offer fireworks July 4.