Fireworks give early start to Fourth of July celebrations

South Hills residents get into the spirit of the Fourth of July holiday early this year as fireworks displays will light up the skies days in advance of Independence Day.
The Baptist Road corridor will be a busy and densely populated place filled with pyrotechnic fans as both Bethel Park and Whitehall will conduct fireworks displays on June 30.
Bethel Park will present Summer Spectacular as part of its Park and Play program, offering free, fun programs for individuals of all ages in its neighborhood parks.
Fireworks will go off at 9:40 p.m. from Millennium Park. Rain date is July 1.
Because the park is used as a launching site for the display, it will not be open for viewing. The municipality suggests several alternate viewing sites, some that include food vendors.
Among them are:
- St Germaine’s Church at 7003 Baptist Road and featuring Kettle Korn
- Cool Springs Sports Complex, 1530 Hamilton Drive and featuring Wu’s Shaved Ice
- Lowe’s Home Improvement, 5775 Baptist Road
- Hamilton Presbyterian Church at 4500 Hamilton Road and featuring Beedle’s Ice Cream
- Abraham Lincoln Elementary School at 1524 Hamilton Road and featuring Kona Ice
The Caste Village Shops will host its annual fireworks display also on June 30.
The Baldwin Community United Methodist Church, at the intersection of Grove and Baptist Roads, and adjacent to the shops will host a pre-fireworks event by the circle in front of the church from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
There will be hot dogs, Millie’s Ice Cream, a bake sale, a glow stick booth, and yard games.
Kennywood Park’s great summer tradition “Celebrate America” has a four-day run from July 1-4. Fireworks will be held nightly at the amusement park located in West Mifflin.
In addition to the rides, patrons can enjoy mimes, jugglers, antique cars and daily patriotic entertainment acts. There will be contests as well, including the Wiener 100 dachshund races.
The park is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily except Sunday, when it closes at 9.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, July 1, in South Park.
Food trucks, Bella Terra Vineyards and Hop Farm Brewing Co. craft beer will be on-site at 6 p.m.
The concert takes place rain or shine at the open-air amphitheater with no covered seating. Patrons can bring folding chairs and outside food and drink. Dogs are permitted but they must be leashed and up-to-date with vaccinations and licensing.
On July 2, The Oliver Miller Homestead in South Park will celebrate with fireworks, music and entertainment at the 18th century historic site, located at 1 Stone Manse Drive.
Sunday operating hours are 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $2 cash per person.
Email: olivermillerhomestead@gmail.com or call 412-835-1554 for more details.
The majority of the other surrounding communities will celebrate the holiday on July 4 and fireworks will be the highlight.
Mt. Lebanon’s annual Fourth of July Celebration runs from noon to 5 p.m. in the main park and features games, amusements, food and other fun activities.
Radio Tokyo will be the featured concert act at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks follow at 9:30.
High school students are needed to work games. Pay is $9 per hour. Call 412-343-3409 for more details.
Justin Fabus will perform live at Dormont Park at 8 p.m. on July 4. Fireworks will follow.
South Fayette and Upper St. Clair again join forces to provide a fireworks display from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 4 from Fairview Park.
On-site parking is limited and begins at 7 p.m. However, the display can be viewed from various areas including Boyce-Mayview Park and the Upper St. Clair Community and Recreation Center.
Scott Township will hold a fireworks display at 9:31 p.m. July 4 at Scott Park.
For those willing to travel, Brentwood, Canonsburg and Pittsburgh offer a packed day of activities on July 4. Both Brentwood and Canonsburg begin with road races followed by a parades at 10 a.m. Fireworks displays end the day.
Pittsburgh’s Independence Day Celebration runs from 4 to 10 p.m.
The day starts at the Fort Pitt Museum with a flag raising ceremony at 1 p.m. followed by family-friendly activities like cannon-firing and martial music.
The main event kicks off at 4 p.m. with local and nationally touring acts across three stages in Point State Park, North Shore Great Lawn and Liberty Avenue. The holiday celebration features a C-17 flyover, hot air balloon, food truck corral and kids’ activities including face painting, caricatures, interactive displays and more.
The fireworks display begins at 9:35 p.m.