WATSONTOWN — Plans are coming together for the community’s annual Fourth of July celebration, despite a few bumps in the road.
Harry Hefty, vice president of the Watsontown Borough Council, agreed to take a leadership role in the event when no one else would do it. Hefty said although people were willing to volunteer to help, no one was willing to chair the committee.
“I was willing to do it as a member of the parks and recreation committee,” he said. “This is the first time it’s being done by the parks and recreation committee, and we’re learning.”
People have other commitments, and things like this turn over every few years, he reasoned. Getting the Borough Council involved has advantages, he said. For the first time, there is money budgeted for entertainment, for example, and funds from the borough will help offset the 25 percent hike in the cost of the fireworks display.
Watsontown’s Fourth of July is an all-day event, starting with a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, sponsored by the Watsontown Area Business Association.
The parade ends up at the community park, where the Watsontown Masons will feature their homemade potato chips and pig roast and the Lions club will have its chicken barbecue starting at 11:30.
In addition, Hefty said, carnival games, novelties and crafters will be featured. The crafts will be set up in a shady area of the park, he noted.
“I’ve been very pleased with the way the borough crew under Dale Stahl and the Warrior Run Area Fire Department with Jason Kling have worked together,” he said. “The cooperation has been great.”
During the afternoon, the Skeeter Kinney Blues Band from Williamsport will entertain from noon to 2, followed by John Ravert’s Wurlitzer. Ravert, a retired teacher, recently completed the restoration of the Wurlitzer band organ, Hefty said. “It sounds like an old-time carnival midway,” he said.
For kids, the Kingdom Kidz Puppet Ministry will present a patriotic show from 12:15 to 1.
The Johnny Jolin Band will entertain from 6 until dusk, with the fireworks display topping off the day.
“We do the parade in the morning, and then have entertainment all day at the park for those who want to stay,” Hefty said. “Some people go and do other things and then come back later for the fireworks. We want to have something for everyone.”
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