Fireworks cap off a day of events at the annual Independence Day
Meyersdale borough held its annual Independence Day celebration June 28 at the Paul E. Fuller Playground, capped off with a fireworks display.
- Somerset County, Pennsylvania, will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with events in July and August.
- A four-day “25/250” event from August 5-8 will also honor the 25th anniversary of September 11th.
- Festivities include concerts, parades, a flyover, fireworks, and a procession to the Flight 93 National Memorial.
- The celebration is held in conjunction with the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association Convention.
America’s County is celebrating America’s 250th in July and August with a variety of activities. Those visiting the Laurel Highlands can visit the Flight 93 National Memorial, the site of the Quecreek mine rescue, Jennerstown Speedway, Seven Springs and Hidden Valley resorts, Ohiopyle State Park and hiking and biking trails.
Confluence activities
Confluence will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence on July 25. Events include a community market starting at 8 a.m. Anike Prinkey will be singing from 9-11:30 a.m. in Town Square. The day will include children’s activities, food trucks, a kids coloring contest for ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. An apple pie baking contest starts at 11 a.m. A hot dog eating contest for ages 18 and older is at 1 p.m. Rugg Band will perform from 2-5 p.m. in Town Square and then the Janice Ray Band will perform from 6-9 p.m. Fireworks will be held at 9:15 p.m.
What is 25/250?
Somerset will be celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and remembering and honoring the 25th year observance of Sept. 11, with a four-day 25/250 event dedicated to America and the bravery, sacrifice and triumph that day which brought our small, rural community to national attention.
From Aug. 5–8 the two defining milestones will be commemorated through ceremonies, music, exhibits, tributes and celebrations. It will be held in conjunction with the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association Convention.
“One of the best things I’ve seen happen in all of this, we started planning four years ago. There were random 10 to 12 people in a room. Now we have 25 to 30 people attending each meeting,” said Allison Cook, who, along with Henry Cook, is one of the committee organizers.
“All of them are so excited to be a part of it. The most heartwarming part is the community coming together to bring the celebration together. The unity behind the scenes. People want to feel connected and all these different groups are showing their support.”
Cook said activities are added as more groups come forward, adding events to the program schedule.
Some events may require paid admission. Some events may be relocated or postponed in the event of inclement weather.
What’s happening?
Aug. 5
Opening ceremonies will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the Somerset Area High School, 645 South Columbia Ave., Somerset. It will kick off with music and a flag unveil at 6 p.m. Performances will include a Somerset and Johnstown Community Bands combined concert, a strolling string band and the Marine Corps drill team. The Daughters of the American Revolution and area Boy Scouts will unveil a giant flag that will be displayed the rest of the week at the Somerset County Courthouse. A flyover will cap the evening events.
In association with Somerset’s 25/250 celebration, The Mountain Playhouse will present “Come From Away,” the Broadway musical about 7,000 passengers stranded during Sept. 11 and the small Canadian town that welcomed them. It will be performed at 2 p.m. Aug. 5, 6 and 7 and at 7 p.m. Aug. 7. Get tickets by calling 814-629-9220.
Aug. 6
“Bands for the Brave,” a concert for heroes with special guests, is from 4-10 p.m. at Laurel Arts, 214 Harrison Ave., Somerset. Gates open at 4 p.m. Music starts at 4:45 p.m. It is a free community concert that is provided by the Somerset Regional Volunteer Fire Department and Somerset 25/250 Committee honoring the first responders. Bring lawn chairs for an evening of music, food and drinks for all ages. The music lineup includes Allison Borek from 4:45-5:15 p.m.; Fret Buzz from 5:30-7 p.m.; and The Commonheart from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Food trucks, dessert, and drink trucks will be available. Some of the participating food vendors include Jackie’s Groovy Cheese Truck, Smoked Out BBQ, The Grumbling Gypsy, Funky Funnels and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee. Alcoholic beverages will be sold by SRVFD and Forbes Trail Brewing. The proceeds will benefit the fire department.
Activities will include a dunk tank and bounce house. There will be special guest appearances to honor servicemen and women throughout the evening.
A special 9/11 exhibit will also be on display at Laurel Arts for guests to visit.
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Pennsylvania Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial, a place of honor and remembrance dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice, at 10:30 a.m. at the Remember Me Rose Garden, Stoystown. The ceremony will include remarks from invited officials, fire service representatives and community leaders, along with ceremonial music presentation of the colors and official groundbreaking.
Aug. 7
Procession to Flight 93 National Memorial, 6424 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown, is from 4-8 p.m. Watch the procession head to Flight 93 as participating fire companies will travel from Somerset Borough to the Flight 93 National Memorial where a service honoring fallen first responders lost on 9/11 will be held.
The Somerset Historical Center, 10649 Somerset Pike, Somerset, will feature its First Friday’s festivities from 4:30-9 p.m., with the Hickory Bottom Band.
The United Responder Shield, a cross-country tribute to honor, unify, and heal all branches of the military and first responders who sacrificed for the nation, will be available for viewing at Flight 93 on Aug. 7, and at Somerset’s fire station on Aug. 8. It is a 7-foot, 300-pound monument created by terrazzo master Allen Sedaka and inspired by Bruce Schmutter.
Boomtown, a country band, will be playing from 8-11 p.m., at SRFD, 340 West Union St., Somerset. Food and drinks will be available.
Aug. 8
From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. will be a community celebration, kicking off in the morning with the fire department’s Battle of the Barrels and continues with the Antique Fair, SoCo Farmers Market, Sidewalk Saturdays in Uptown Somerset, and more family activities at the Union Street Playground. The Somerset FOE and SRVFD will have food available.
A parade kicks off at 3 p.m. It will lead into the fireworks and drone show at 9 p.m. at the high school athletic field.
Aug. 9
A sunrise worship service will be held at Lake Somerset. Coffee and doughnuts will be available at 6:30 a.m. The all-inclusive fellowship service will be from 7-8 a.m.
The events schedule can be found at https://www.americasco25-250.org/schedule/western-pa-firemens-convention-events-parade-drone-show-and-fireworks.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.dailyamerican.com ’
