TIPTON – The DelGrosso Family of Companies is gearing up for a summer time tradition like no other – Summer Thunder®2013. This year’s annual fireworks extravaganza is being billed as
“A Salute to the Blue & Gray: Remembering the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.”
The Battle of Gettysburg took place just 120 miles down the road from Tipton in July of 1863. It has been called the deadliest battle of the Civil War. “We thought with this year being the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, it would be a nice way to honor those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” said Joe DelGrosso, president of DelGrosso Foods Inc. and Summer Thunder® coordinator.
This year Battery ‘B’, 34rd PA Vol. Light Artillery Unit (a Civil War Re-enactment Group), led by Commanding Officer Capt. Gene Metzgar, will be firing Civil War era cannons in salute and in conjunction with the fireworks show.
Summer Thunder® is set to a music soundtrack that is developed by Dave Villani of Data Music Services of Altoona. This year’s music has a number of patriotic favorites and some songs that have deep roots to the Civil War era. The fireworks are designed and built by Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics from Maineville, OH. Members of the Rozzi Family have been designing firework shows for DelGrosso’s Amusement Park for more than 50 years. More than 4,000 shells will light up the night sky over Tipton during the 25 minute pyro-musical spectacular.
Summer Thunder® Schedule
11 a.m. – DelGrosso’s Amusement Park Opens – Free Parking-Free Ride Park Admission; $17.95 All-Day Fun Pass includes Rides & Water Park
10 p.m. – Fireworks Pre-Show
10:3 p.m. – Summer Thunder® 2013 Fireworks
Summer Thunder® 2013 is made possible by these fine sponsors: DelGrosso Foods Inc., Allied Milk Producers, Burgmeier Hauling, First Commonwealth Bank, Imler’s Poultry, Tri-Star Ford, Froggy 98 and WTAJ-TV.
DelGrosso Foods Inc. Participates in Pizzas4Patriots for July 4
On July 4 some 17,000 pizzas will be delivered to Afghanistan and areas in the Middle East as a part of Pizzas4Patriots. The pizza sauce on those pies is from DelGrosso Foods Inc. This is the third time DelGrosso Foods has donated their famous NY Style Pizza Sauce to the Pizzas4Patriots program.
“We really like the concept that these men and women in the combat zones are given a ‘Slice from Home’. We ship the sauce to Great Kitchens in Illinois and they work on putting the pies together. It’s the least we can do for those men and women who are sacrificing so much for us,” said DelGrosso.
Over the two-year period, DelGrosso has donated enough pizza sauce for 57,000 pizzas or 457,000 slices.
More details about the program can be found at www.Pizzas4Patriots.com.
July 4 Traffic Patterns
“We have been working with PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police to work on making the best traffic pattern plans possible to ensure the safety of our guests and everyone coming out to enjoy Summer Thunder® 2013,” said Scott Crider, vice president of Operations for DelGrosso’s Amusement Park. “We urge motorists to be patient and expect delays. We want everyone to be safe.”
Please note the following traffic patterns will take place, starting at 10:30 p.mm. July 4. State police will be enforcing these traffic patterns to help ensure the safety of all motorists in and around DelGrosso’s Amusement Park.
Main Parking Lot for DelGrosso’s Amusement Park:
After the fireworks, all traffic from the main lot will be directed to the right to head north toward Tyrone and the Tipton/Grazierville Exit 45 of Interstate 99.
There will be two lanes of traffic running north toward Tyrone and the I-99 Interchange.
Traffic Traveling South on East Pleasant Valley Blvd (North of Rossi’s Corner Store):
You will be directed to turn right at Tipton Road. You will not be permitted to travel on East Pleasant Valley Boulevard by the DelGrosso’s Amusement Park.
DelGrosso Foods Lawn/Parking Along East Pleasant Valley Boulevard (South of Rossi’s Corner Store):
You will be directed to exit south using River Road.
All Traffic Parked South of the River Road Intersection:
When you leave, you will be directed to turn left on River Road.
Traffic Traveling from River Road:
Traffic from River Road will be directed to make a U-Turn. Traffic will not be able to reach DelGrosso’s Amusement park from River Road.
These traffic patterns will stay in effect until state police deem it safe to return to a normal traffic flow.
Detour Reminder: Due to bridge construction on Pleasant Valley Boulevard, there isn’t any access to DelGrosso’s Amusement Park from Exit 41. Please remember to use Exit 45, Tipton/Grazierville.