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The celebration, sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Special Events and Fulton Bank, begins at 11:30 a.m. with numerous food vendors lining North Queen Street, offering anything from crab cakes and egg rolls to funnel cakes and ice cream.
While MOOSE director Jennifer Baker said there will be "strolling entertainment" throughout the afternoon, the main attraction begins at 7:30 p.m. with a presentation from Heads Up Lancaster.
"The opening act is new, but everything else is pretty much the same," Baker said of the night's festivities.
Heads Up was founded in 2006 by executive director Jason Rule to help city youth use multicultural urban arts as an alternative to gang involvement.
The organization offers several programs, including the breakdance group led by Chris Torchia that will be dazzling the crowd Friday night.
The 75-member Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser, will follow at 8:30 p.m. with patriotic songs, including John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever."
The event closes with a fireworks show that will be launched from atop the Duke Street parking garage at 10 p.m.
Admittance is free, with event parking available at the King, Prince and Water street garages for $3, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Baker said about 6,500 people attended the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra's show last year, adding to Celebration Lancaster's record turnout.
"The symphony is definitely a draw," Baker said. "The event is just a win-win for both of our organizations. … It's a great partnership."
Baker said that MOOSE is hoping for an even bigger crowd this year with the orchestra's return and the popular fireworks, which can be seen throughout the city.
"It was started by (former) Mayor Charlie Smithgall, who has always had a love of fireworks," Baker said of the downtown event.
Smithgall will showcase that love with his cannon brigade at the Long's Park Independence Day celebration on July 5.
The program, which begins at 7:30 p.m., features The 257th Army Band for the second year in a row, Smithgall's "concussion percussion" team's 17-cannon explosion and fireworks by Schaefer Pyrotechnics at dusk.
The show will be the fifth installment of the 47th Long's Park Summer Music Series.
The 257th Army Band, better known as "The Band of the Nation's Capital," performed at President Barack Obama's Southern States Inaugural Ball this past winter. They were the first National Guard band to receive the honor.
The group is directed by Chief Warrant Officer Sheila M. Klotz, the first female commander in the history of Army National Guard bands.
The highlight of the evening will be the group's performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, amplified by Smithgall's cannons.
• Other holiday events include:
MARIETTA — The annual Marietta Carnival at the War Memorial Park kicked off Wednesday with rides, games, food, a live DJ and a karaoke stand. The event continues until Saturday, running each evening from 6 to 10 p.m. with no charge to enter.
Saturday's festivities begin with a concert by local rock band Underground Hotel, and finish up with an 11 p.m. fireworks show. If it rains, the fireworks will be set off at 10 p.m. Sunday.
ROCKVALE OUTLETS — Fireworks will be set off from the shopping center on Saturday at dusk.
The Lampeter-Strasburg Band will perform in the parking lot behind Restoration Hardware and food vendors and restaurants will be open all evening. Parking is free within the complex. If it rains, the event will take place on Sunday.
LITITZ — Lititz Springs Park opens its 192nd Fourth of July Celebration on June 30 with a free concert by the Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic at 7 p.m. The show will include patriotic, classical, swing and show tunes. The concert will be held at Warwick Middle School Auditorium if it rains.
The festivities continue on July 3 with the Lions Club Independence Celebration Parade at 6:30 p.m. The parade route begins at W. Lincoln Avenue and Warwick Street and ends at the Lititz Square. After the parade, Flamin' Dick and the Hot Rods will hold a free concert in Lititz Springs Park at 8 p.m.
The "Old-Fashioned 4th of July" celebration takes place July 4, with the park gates opening at 11 a.m. Music and games will fill the day, highlighted by the 20th Annual Baby Parade at 2:10 p.m. and the 167th grand illumination of 7,000 candles at 9:30 p.m. The night ends with a musical fireworks display at 10 p.m.
Admission will be charged for the July 4 activities, with tickets at $10 for adults and $4 for children ages 2-10. Advance $8 tickets for adults can be purchased until July 3 at the park's Welcome Center, Bomberger's Store, McElroy Pharmacy and Stauffers of Kissel Hill.
LASERDOME (MANHEIM) — The Laserdome will host an All You Can Play event on July 3 from noon to 10 p.m. The $20 pass includes unlimited rounds of laser tag, video games, Halo 3 and laser concerts. For an extra $5, participants can get two slices of pizza and endless popcorn and soda.
EPHRATA — The annual 5-mile Ephrata Firecracker Run begins at 8:30 a.m. at Ephrata War Memorial Field on July 4. The race costs $11 and registration is from 6:30 to 8 a.m. that morning. A 2-mile run will also take place. Participants in both races are invited to relax at Ephrata Community Pool afterward.
Free fireworks will be launched at 9:30 p.m. from the Lincoln Heights Outdoor Recreation Area at Joann and Crescent avenues.
LANCASTER — The Musser Park Civic Association will hosts its own "Old-Fashioned 4th of July" event at Musser Park on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., packed with music, food and children's activities. A special flag-raising ceremony will be held at noon.
The Lancaster Barnstormers are celebrating with a July 4 picnic during their 6:35 p.m. game against the York Revolution. Tickets for a two-hour all-you-can-eat buffet in the picnic area can be purchased at $27 for adults, $23 for children ages 5-12, and free for children under 5.
MOUNTVILLE — Free fireworks will be set off from Froelich Park at dusk on July 4. A DJ will provide music in the park and the Mountville Pool will be open before and after the show.
QUARRYVILLE — Buck Motorsports Park will be holding its 35th Annual Independence Day Grand Demolition Derby on July 4. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the 7 p.m. event, which concludes with a fireworks show enhanced by 3D glasses. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. In case of rain, the event will be held July 11.
COLUMBIA — The annual Fireman's Carnival will be held from July 7 to 11 at the Columbia Consolidated Fire Company. Activities run from 5 to 10 p.m. every night, including several local band performances. The event wraps up July 11 with a fireworks display at 10:15 p.m.
E-mail: smweaver@lnpnews.com
