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Fourth of July brings food, music, fun to Lebanon County


Festivities for the Fourth of July in Lebanon County and surrounding areas:

Lebanon

There are several events lined up in the city.

Joint efforts by Coleman Memorial Park and the city will last all day. Starting at noon, Gingrich Memorial Pool/ Ed Lauther Water Complex will be open until 6 p.m. Admission to the pool is $6 for adults, 18-62; $4 for students, 5-17, and seniors, 63 and over, and $2 for infants and toddlers (ages four and under will receive a swim diaper).

The Lebanon Community Concert Band directed by Tim Erdman will perform a Patriotic Concert at the Coleman Memorial Park Amphitheater at 4 p.m. Admission is free.

A concession stand will open at 3 p.m.

For the safety of spectators, no bikes will be permitted in the parking area near the ball fields after 5 p.m. Dogs will not be permitted in the spectator area. Citizens are reminded that sparklers and other fireworks novelties are prohibited in the park. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. At 9 p.m. fireworks will commence at the ball fields.

Jonestown

The borough will have fireworks starting at approximately 9 p.m. on July 3.

On the morning of the July 4 at 10 a.m. the square will close and Senator Mike Folmer will read the Declaration of Independence followed by a patriotic singalong.

Mt Gretna

Mt. Gretna will hold "A Fairy Patriotic Fourth" and will get the magic started with the help of Fiona the Fairy, "Mt. Gretna Fairy Garden's resident magical creature".

The Grand Illumination, an event where local homes and cottages are decorated and illuminated with patriotic themes, will begin the first of two nights on Friday, July 3 at 9 p.m.

An Ice Cream Buffet Breakfast for boys and girls will begin at 9:15 a.m. in the Hall of Philosophy. Admission is $5 and requires a reservation, call 964-1830. Hear Fiona's new summer story read by Kathy Snavely at 9:45 a.m. The morning concludes with a with a parade of all the children dressed up as their favorite mythical creatures, from the Hall of Philosophy to the Fairy Garden. Families can proceed to the Theatre for Young Audience's for a performance of "Cinderella and the Lone Prince" at 11 a.m.

The Keystone Band of Rehrersburg will celebrate the holiday at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse at 7 p.m. After the concert children are invited to light candles among the Mt. Gretna trees and eat s'mores during the second night of the Grand Illumination.

Annville

Maestro Stuart Malina and the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the independence of the nation on July 2 at 8 p.m. on the Academic Quad at Lebanon Valley College.

The orchestra will play an array of patriotic music including: "A Salute to the Big Apple," selections from "Phantom of the Opera," "God Bless America," "Stars & Stripes Forever," and "Armed Forces Salute."

The concert will be in Blair Music Center in the event of inclement weather. Admission is free.

Along with the concert, the opening of the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery's summer exhibit, "Intersection of Art and the Printed Word" will occur on July 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will discuss the relationship between art, the printed word, and culture during the rise of print publication in the late 18th through 19th centuries.

Hershey

Hersheypark will host two events over the Fourth of July weekend.

"Star Spangled Picnic" will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. of July 3 and July 4. The menu includes hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork BBQ, fruit salad, potato salad, ice cream, and Pepsi products. A cash bar will also be at the picnic. $15 per person.

Hersheypark will then feature its annual Fourth of July fireworks show at 10:15 p.m.

Also, the Best Friends Animal Society is promoting Inde-Pet-Dence Day. The Fourth of July weekend is the busiest time of year for shelter intake, due to pets that get frightened during festivities.

"Nationwide, July 4th weekend is the busiest shelter intake time of the year. So, while many of us are celebrating a holiday, the shelters will be flooded with pets, many of which will never find their way home," said Gregory Castle, chief executive officer of Best Friends Animal Society, said in a release. "In order to avoid this heartbreaking scenario, we encourage owners to make the holiday as safe as possible for their pets."