America250 celebrations across Schuylkill County get underway this week, with what’s promised to be one of the biggest parades happening in Pottsville this Saturday.
It all starts with an All-American picnic on Friday night, followed by a fireworks display.
After the parade on Saturday, there is more to do in Pottsville but there are also celebrations planned in Mahanoy City and Frackville, including a grand parade to celebrate that borough’s sesquicentennial (150th birthday).
Check out all the America250, Independence Day, and fireworks events this summer happening across Schuylkill County in our roundup below …
Cressona
Get ready for an action-packed day as the Cressona 250 Block Party takes over town on July 18! This community-wide celebration doubles as a vital fundraiser for the local community pool and a spirited America250 commemoration.
Here is a full block party schedule:
- 7:30 am – 8:30 am: Splash Dash Fun Walk/Run Pre-registration (Pool)
- 8:30 am: Splash Dash Start
- 9:00 am – 10:00 am: Car and Bike Show Pre-registration (Hot Rod)
- 9:15 am – 9:45 am: Cressona Band Performance (Pool)
- 10:00 am: Music: TJ Chupick
- 10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Car and Bike Show (Front Street)
- 11:15 am: Music: Hardock Live
- 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Block Party Festivities (Food, drinks, vendors, raffles, and kids’ activities)
- 12:30 pm: Music: Cody Wiley
- 1:45 pm: Music: Jake and Friendz
- 3:00 pm: Music: Big Ger
- 4:00 pm: Car and Bike Show Awards
- 4:30 pm: Music: Eddie Gals
- 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Music: The Ten String Travelers
- 5:45 pm: Music: Breckin
- 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Country Line Dancing with Barry Long
Frackville
Frackville is celebrating its own birthday this year in addition to America’s 250th. It’s the borough’s sesquicentennial (150th). At 6:30 p.m. on June 27, Frackville is hosting a grand Community Parade.
One of the more anticipated fireworks displays in Schuylkill County will be held on July 3 at the Little League/Softball complex, starting at dusk. The rain date for fireworks is July 5.
Mahanoy City
Join the Mahanoy Area Chamber of Commerce and the West End Fire Company & Rescue for the Freedom Fest! Created to celebrate community pride as America approaches its 250th anniversary, this expanded “block party” offers a fun, family-friendly evening for all ages.
- Friday, June 26 (Starting at 4 p.m.): Head down to South St. (behind the West End Fire Company) to explore 25 registered vendors offering a variety of food, crafts, merchandise, and community information.
- Friday, June 26 (6 p.m.–10 p.m.): Enjoy live entertainment with classic rock favorites performed by the band Sakes Alive.
- Friday, June 26 (Dusk): The evening concludes with a spectacular fireworks display presented by Bixler’s Pyrotechnics.
Minersville
Minersville Area Lions Club will host its 79th annual fireworks display on June 29.
The festivities being at 6 p.m. that night with live music, food, vendors, and other family-friendly entertainment.
Rain date for this event is June 30.
Orwigsburg
The Anthracite Philharmonic and Schuylkill Choral Society will celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with a joint concert at 7 p.m. July 4 at Veterans Community Memorial Hall in Orwigsburg.
Dr. Mark P. Thomas will direct the performance. The event will feature a selection of readings and musical numbers designed to highlight themes of patriotism and freedom.
Veterans Community Memorial Hall is located at 300 Grove St.
The celebration will continue outside the venue immediately following the music. Attendees can watch a planned fireworks display outside the hall to close out the holiday evening.
Pine Grove
Check out a fireworks display on Friday, July 17, at the 111th Pine Grove HH&L Fire Company Carnival. The carnival runs from July 14-18, featuring nightly entertainment, food, rides, and games.
Port Carbon
Port Carbon will host Schuylkill County’s longest-running Fourth of July celebration with a 5K race, a community parade and fireworks on Saturday, July 4.
The event, held annually since 1947, kicks off at 8 a.m. with the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk at the John L. Miller Memorial Playground. The course routes participants through borough streets and a portion of neighboring Palo Alto. Walkers and runners must register by June 15 to guarantee a commemorative race shirt.
The main parade starts at 10 a.m. and features local veterans groups, fire companies and civic organizations. The lineup includes a baby parade for county children up to 12 years old. Participants can walk, ride bicycles or build floats matching this year’s theme, “Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary.”
Festivities move to the Francis E. Lubinsky Playground in the evening for food and entertainment before the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Organizers are selling commemorative T-shirts and challenge coins featuring local historic sites to help fund the tradition. For details, call the Port Carbon Citizens Committee at 570-573-1946.
Pottsville
Schuylkill County residents can celebrate America’s 250th birthday during a weekend of festivities featuring a grand parade through downtown Pottsville.
The event lineup includes:
- Friday, June 26: A kickoff party at the Capitol Deck features an All-American picnic and fireworks. Tickets are limited to 200 guests.
- Saturday, June 27: The main parade begins at 11 a.m. at 18th Street, proceeds through downtown and finishes at Alvernia University.
Following the parade, Alvernia University will host live music, food, games and historic reenactors. A float contest will also feature cash prizes.
The parade committee invites local municipalities, schools, fire companies and businesses to join the lineup. Organizers encourage early registration through the committee’s online form. For more information, email schuylkill250th@gmail.com.
Ringtown
The Ringtown Area 4th of July Committee is hosting its second annual fireworks display on July 4. Food and craft vendors will be setting up at 4 p.m. at the Little League field with a fireworks display scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m.
Saint Clair
Join the Borough of St. Clair’s 250th Committee and the Alert’s Fire Company for a multi-day celebration honoring the 250th Anniversary of the United States. Catch these exciting community events:
- Wednesday, July 8 (7-8:30 p.m.): Kick off the festivities with a performance by the Cressona Band at Admiral Boone Park. (In case of rain, the concert moves to the St. Clare of Assisi Church hall.)
- Friday, July 10 (Starting at 5 p.m.): Enjoy Alert’s Block Party featuring local food trucks, eats from the Alert Fire Company, live music by Dale and the Legends, pony rides, and creative balloon making. Stick around for The Fleur De Lis Drop at approximately 9 p.m.
- Saturday, July 11: Check out the Annual Car Cruise from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a spectacular Fireworks display at 9 p.m.
- Sunday, July 12: Attend a historic Time Capsule Opening at the Veteran’s Memorial Football Field at 4 p.m., then wrap up the weekend with the Coal-Fired Ramblers Bluegrass Band performing at Admiral Boone Park at 7 p.m.
Schuylkill Haven
Join the Schuylkill Haven Recreation Department at Island Park for “Celebrate America,” an evening packed with fun for the whole family!
- Saturday, July 11 (5 p.m.–9:30 p.m.): Head down to Island Park to enjoy a variety of local vendors and rock out to live music by the band The Radioactive Munsters.
- Food & Treats: Grab a bite from a great lineup of food vendors, including Famous Fries, Pizza Buds, La Familia, Chill Out Ice Cream, and Plain & Fancy donuts. Don’t forget to stop by the Rainbow Hose Fire Company Stand for burgers, funnel cakes, and more!
- Saturday, July 11: Stick around as the evening wraps up with a spectacular Fireworks display.
West Penn Township
Celebrate Independence Day and America’s semiquincentennial with a full evening of family-friendly festivities at J.E. Morgan Park. This event packs in everything from local food to live music, capping off the night with a choreographed light show.
- When: July 4, 6-10 p.m. (Rain date: July 5)
- Where: J.E. Morgan Park, 49 Cold Spring Road, Andreas, PA
- Attractions: Bounce house, petting zoo, local vendors, and hands-on children’s activities running throughout the evening.
Event Schedule
- 6 p.m.: Event opens
- 7:15 p.m.: National Anthem featuring a unique daytime fireworks display
- 7:30-8:30 p.m.: Live concert featuring country artist Jay Allen
- 9:15 p.m.: Grand finale fireworks set to patriotic music
🇺🇸 DID WE MISS SOMETHING? To add an event to this listing, please email newscanary@gmail.com with all the pertinent details and we’ll add it promptly.
More From Coal Region Canary
See all stories ›
Flood Watch Issued for Schuylkill County on Thursday
4 hours ago
Nabholz Has Allowed Just 1 Earned Run in 5 Appearances Since Promotion to Eugene
12 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Used Brother’s Name During Traffic Stop Because He’d Been Sentenced to Jail for Driving on a Suspended License
13 hours ago
Barton Cards Sub-70 Round to Pace Haven; Blue Mountain Sweeps Tri-Match
15 hours ago
PennDOT to Host Winter Job Fair in Schuylkill County
17 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Wanted After Police Say He Traded Nude Photos With 16-Year-Old
18 hours agoSubscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...