BROCKWAY – From a modest beginning in 1967, the Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration has grown into the premiere Independence Day celebration in this part of Pennsylvania and this year it marks its 50th anniversary.
The first Brockway Fourth was the result of collaboration by the Brockway Kiwanis, Brockway Jaycees, Contessa Matilda Lodge, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Auxiliary, Brockway Recreation Board and the Brockway Volunteer Hose Co. and a $2,200 budget.
This year’s celebration kicks off with the inaugural Frank Varischetti All-Star football game on Friday evening, July 1, and culminates with a full day of events and attractions on Monday, July 4, including the annual parade down Main Street and the fireworks finale at dusk.
Other individual attractions include:
- K9 Crew, a trick dog show, at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. July 4 at Truesdale Field at Taylor Memorial Park.
- Up & Away hot air balloon rides from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. July 3, at the soccer practice field at the park. “Very few things are as beautiful as a brightly-colored hot air balloon peacefully ascending high into the clear blue sky. The only joy greater than the sight is a tethered flight high above Brockway’s picturesque landscape,” organizers said.
- Balloons with Enchantment featuring whimsical balloon creations, from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. July 4 at the Ninth Avenue Pavilion.
- The Mentalist , Adam Hince, at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. July 4 in the Park Pavilion.
- XTreme Lazer Tag from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. July 4 at the soccer practice field, where “black lights, strobe lights, laser lights, 20 different rooms, an excellent sound system and fog will have you and 10 of your best friends battling it out.”
The schedule of this year’s celebration:
Wednesday, June 29
- 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Art Show Registration for all artwork, Brockwayville Depot
Thursday, June 30
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Library Book Sale, Mengle Memorial Library
- 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Taylor Memorial Museum, Taylor Memorial Park
Friday, July 1
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Library Book Sale, Mengle Memorial Library
- 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Taylor Memorial Museum, Taylor Memorial Park
- 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Quilt Show, Multi-Purpose Building (by Elementary School)
- 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., Art Show open to the public, Brockwayville Depot
- 7 p.m. – 8 p.m., Art Show Critique, Brockwayville Depot
- 7 p.m., Frank Varischetti All-Star Football Game, Frank Varischetti Field
Saturday, July 2
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Library Book Sale, Bag Day Sale, Mengle Memorial Library
- 11:30 a.m., 200 Taylor Memorial Museum, Taylor Memorial Park
- 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Quilt Show, Multi-Purpose Building (by Elementary School)
- 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Art Show open to the public, Brockwayville Depot
Sunday, July 3
- 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Taylor Memorial Museum, Taylor Memorial Park
- 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Quilt Show, Multi-Purpose Building (by Elementary School)
- 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Art Show open to the public, Brockwayville Depot
- 7 p.m., Brockway vs Ridgway Legion Baseball – TBD
- 6 p.m., Brockway All-Star Big Band, American Legion Stage
- 6 p.m., Hot Air Balloon Science, Soccer Practice Field
- 7 p.m. – 8 p.m., Vesper Service, Brockway Presbyterian Church
- 8 p.m., Junk Rock Band, American Legion Stage
- 7 p.m. – 9 m., Hot Air Balloon Rides, Soccer Practice Field
Monday, July 4
- 7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m., Firecracker 10K Race Registration, Concession tent across from pool
- 7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m., Firecracker Fun Run Registration, Concession tent across from pool
- 8:30 a.m., Firecracker 10K Race Start, Pool Parking Lot
- 8:30 a.m., Firecracker Fun Run Start, Pool Parking Lot
- 8:30 a.m. – 10:40 a.m., Star Spangled Bicycle Race/Tour de Brockway Registration, Brockway High School
- 9:15 a.m., Opening of the day with ringing of the bells
- 10 a.m., Fishing Contest (Trophies sponsored by BP Inn), Parkside Complex Pond
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show Registration, Parkside Complex Grounds
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Library Book Sale, Bag Day, Mengle Memorial Library
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., American Legion (Patriotic High School artwork)
- 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Craft Show & Sale, Seventh Avenue and Alexander Street
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., ATA Trolley, (refer to schedule page in book)
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Story House, Near the Museum
- 10:15 a.m., BAHS Marching Band & Auxiliary, American Legion Memorial Stage
- 10:30 a.m., Patriotic Program, American Legion Memorial Stage
- 11 a.m., Star Spangled Bicycle Race/Tour de Brockway Start, Brockway High School
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Art Show open to the public, Brockwayville Depot
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Quilt Show, Multi-Purpose Building (by Elementary School)
- 11:30 a.m., Children’s Games, Little League Field
After Games Kaimann’s Bicycle Drawing, Little League Field - 12 p.m., Lego Building Contest Sign In, Behind Museum (Must pre-register by calling 814 375-9388)
- 12 p.m., The Mentalist, Park Pavilion
- 12 p.m., Hoop Performance by Theresa, Near Park Pavilion
- 12 p.m., K9 Crew, Trick Dog Show, Truesdale Field
- 12 p.m., Origami Presentations, Near Truesdale Field
- 12 p.m. – 1 p.m., Magic To Go, Strolling in the Park
- 12 p.m. – 3 p.m., Free Swimming sponsored by the Brockway Rec. Board, Taylor Memorial Pool
- 12 p.m., – 3 p.m., Hit Play, American Legion Stage
- 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Horse Drawn Trolley Rides, Near the Pond
- 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Cartoon Caricature Portraits – Concession Tent
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Face Painting, Near Ninth Avenue Pavilion
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Hoop Dance Workshop with Theresa, Near the Park Pavilion
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Balloons with Enchantment, Ninth Avenue Pavilion
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Taylor Memorial Museum, Taylor Memorial Park
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Tumblebus, Near Rails to Trails
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Animal Kingdom Playland, Soccer Practice Field
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Airbrush Tattoos, Near Ninth Avenue Pavilion
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Extreme Air, Soccer Practice Field
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Strike A Pose, Near Truesdale Field
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Xtreme Lazer Tag, Soccer Practice Field
- 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Zero Shock – Soccer Practice Field
- 12:30 p.m., Summer Roller Hockey League High School All Star Game, Roller Hockey Court
- 12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Bingo by Brockway Soccer Boosters, Main Pavilion
- 1 p.m., Magic To Go, Strolling in the Park
- 1 p.m., Magical Entertainment, Near Truesdale Field
- 1 p.m., Origami Workshops, Near Truesdale Field
- 1 p.m., Zumba Flash Mob Party, Taylor Memorial Park
1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show – Parkside Complex Grounds - 2 p.m., The Mentalist, Park Pavilion
- 2 p.m., Hoop Performance by Theresa, Near Park Pavilion
- 2 p.m., K9 Crew, Trick Dog Show – Truesdale Field
- 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Magic To Go, Strolling in the Park
- 2:15 p.m., Origami Presentations, Near Truesdale Field
- 3 p.m., Magical Entertainment, Near Truesdale Field
- 3 p.m., Origami Workshops, Near Truesdale Field
- 3 p.m., Brockway Cheerleader Raffle Drawing, American Legion Memorial Stage
- 3 p.m., Brockway Drama Club Drawing, American Legion Memorial Stage
- 3 p.m., Car, Truck & Motorcycle Winner Announcements, Parkside Complex Ground
- 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Magic To Go, Strolling in the Park
- 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Michael Christopher – American Legion Stage
- 4 p.m., The Mentalist, Park Pavilion
- 4 p.m., Hoop Performance by Theresa, Near Park Pavilion
- 4 p.m., K9 Crew, Trick Dog Show, Truesdale Field
- 4 p.m., Brockway Soccer Duck Derby, Bridge by McDonald’s
- 4:15 p.m., Origami Presentations, Near Truesdale Field
- 6 p.m., Parade, Main Street
- 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., LED Hoop Performance by Theresa, Near American Legion Stage
- 8:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m., Rock Of Ages (Best of the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s Music), American Legion Memorial Stage
- 9 p.m., Kaimann’s Raffle Drawings, Soccer Practice Field by concessions
- 9:45 p.m., Spectacular Fireworks Display
- 10 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., Rock Of Ages (Best of the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s Music), American Legion Memorial Stage