LEWISBURG — The pomp and flare of the Fourth of July will be centered in Lewisburg this weekend as more than 25,000 people are expected to gather there to celebrate the United States’ birthday.
Organizer Graham Showalter, a Lewisburg native, has been involved with the celebration since its beginning, and he said he believes it’s the holiday’s raw patriotism that keeps bringing people back to the celebration, in larger numbers, year after year.
“I think they come because it’s their community, and I think they like to be part of the patriotism,” Showalter said. “Americans are patriotic, but they don’t necessarily show their patriotism. But one day of the year, we decide we’re going to wave the flag, and we’re going to share our patriotism with each other, and we all are on the same team.”
Union County’s 15th annual Fourth of July celebration swings into full gear tonight and continues through Saturday, highlighted by the celebration’s parade.
Though the celebration has expanded considerably since its inception to include a fireworks display, concerts and drum and bugle corps exhibitions, Showalter said there is one thing that has remained at the core of the event — veterans.
“I think we have to remember how important the veterans are to this country,” Showalter said. “We wouldn’t be having a Fourth of July if it weren’t for the veterans, ... and so we honor the people that kept our country strong since the first year.”
Today’s festivities get under way with Big Band Nostalgia at 7 p.m. in Wolfe Field, followed by a fireworks extravaganza at 9. Sponsored by RiverWoods, the fireworks take place near Wolfe Field.
The celebration continues Saturday with the parade at 10 a.m. The veterans recognition ceremony begins at 11:30 in the President’s Grove, Loomis Street and University Avenue, Bucknell University.
The picnic and concerts start at noon at the grove and will feature the 28th Infantry Division Band from Hollidaysburg; the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, Reading; Fralinger String Band, Philadelphia; Baltimore Yankee Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps, Baltimore, Md.; Reilly Raiders Senior Drum and Bugle Corps, of Audubon; Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps, of Hawthorne, N.J.; and Re-Creation.
The USO Gala dinner-dance begins with a reception at 6 p.m. in the Terrace Room at Bucknell. Dinner starts at 6:30, the gala program at 7:45 and dancing will be from 8:30 to 11. Cost is $45 per person.
News
Related Photos
-
Justin Engle/The Daily Item
Discussion
Let's not forget veterans, organizer says
- News
-
-
Memorial Day Observances
Here is a listing of Memorial Day events this weekend in the Central Susquehanna Valley.
-
Four charged in ripoffs that hurt eight local senior citizens
Four Philadelphia men have been charged with operating an elaborate scam that targeted hundreds of elderly residents across Pennsylvania, including eight Valley seniors.
-
Midd-West taxpayers face increase of $109
MIDDLEBURG — The Midd-West School District on Thursday night announced an average property tax increase of $109 to help offset its $1.8 million budget deficit for the 2012-13 school year.
Midd-West will also close two elementary schools, consolidate two middle schools, cut programs and furlough seven teachers and 23 other staff members. -
Jokester cop tased intern at station
NORTHUMBERLAND — A Northumberland police detective claims in a lawsuit filed Wednesday he was wrongly blamed after an officer shot an intern with a Taser gun while fooling around at the police station in December.
-
Jerry Sandusky charity to shut down and transfer programs
PHILADELPHIA — The charity for troubled youths started by Jerry Sandusky more than three decades ago — and through which the retired Penn State assistant football coach met the boys he is charged with sexually abusing — said today it is seeking court approval to shut down and transfer its programs to a Texas-based youth ministry that serves abused and neglected children.
-
Man pleads guilty in 2006 Penn State student death
STATE COLLEGE — A man whose murder conviction was previously thrown out in the fatal beating of a Penn State student six years ago has pleaded guilty in the killing under a deal with prosecutors.
-
Streaker at Phillies-Cardinals game last night lost a bet
ST. LOUIS — The streaker who ran naked onto the field during a Cardinals game says he did so because he lost a bet.
-
Privately-operated Dragon capsule arrives at space station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space station astronauts have captured the Dragon. The privately bankrolled Dragon capsule arrived at the International Space Station today, making history as the first commercial delivery truck in orbit
-
10 Things to Know Today
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today (times EDT):
-
LARA: Charred bridge sound
LEWISBURG — The fire-damaged railroad bridge crossing the Susquehanna River at Lewisburg is structurally sound following the March fire that discolored steel and charred roughly 400 ties, the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority said at its meeting Thursday.
-
Stat of the Day: $2.6 million
Stat of the Day: $2.6 million.
That's what President Barack Obama has spent on advertising in Iowa, which may be a battleground state in November's election against presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
-
Northampton County jury sentences man to death in officer killing
EASTON — Jurors in eastern Pennsylvania have sentenced a man to death for fatally shooting a police officer last summer.
- More News Headlines
-
