By THE ERA STAFF
The Fourth of July weekend will kick-off with a bang on Wednesday night, as festivities get in full swing across the area for the long holiday weekend.
Those looking for some “oohhs” and “ahhs” will be able to partake in some fireworks extravaganzas on Wednesday night, including at the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, N.Y., starting at 9:30 p.m. near the parking lot.
The raindate is scheduled for Thursday.
Meanwhile, Allegany State Park will hold some events on Wednesday night, including a chicken barbecue at Quaker Beach starting at 4 p.m. Then at 7 p.m., live music will be provided by “Cruisin” at Quaker Beach. Fireworks will take place at dusk at the beach, sponsored by Zippo Manufacturing Co.
Fireworks will also be held at Bradner Stadium in Olean, N.Y., where the show will be under way at dusk. The gates will open at 6 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the display is scheduled for Friday or the next clear night at the same time.
In Bradford, fireworks will soar above the Pennhills Country Club at dusk on Thursday, according to Jena Mosher, director of member services for the club.
Also at the Pennhills event will be a bounce house, cotton candy, Sno Cones, fried dough, face painting, glow sticks, swimming and other activities for children. The club will also offer a limited dinner menu in the clubhouse and picnic style dining at the pool and patio, Mosher said.
Mosher said Dave Dorsen and Friends will play live music on the patio starting at 5 p.m.
Contact the Pennhills Club to make reservations.
Also over the weekend, the Highland Township Recreational Committee will hold a carnival with a car and motorcycle show on Saturday and Sunday, with the proceeds going to the Recreational Committee.
The special events on Saturday include a car and motorcycle show and a pie and cake contest. Registration for the car and automobile show will be from 10 a.m. to noon with the show following immediately after registration.
The pie and cake contest will be judged at noon and then an auction of the items at 2 p.m. by Jamie Sitler of Kinzua County Auctions. Participants are reminded to bring two items to this competition, one item labeled with their name to be judged and one item for the auction.
The schedule of events for Sunday is as follows: 12:30 p.m., greased watermelon relay; 1 p.m., hot dog eating contest; 1:30 p.m., greased pole race; 2 p.m., potato sack race; and 3 p.m., egg toss.
Participants will also be able to enjoy music, vendors, food, old-fashioned games and a bouncy house throughout the weekend.
For more information, contact Marsha Buhl.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Potter County, a number of celebrations will take place over the weekend.
Festivities begin on Friday night in Galeton, with the first night of Red Suspender Weekend sponsored by the Goodyear Hose Fire Co., the Galeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Galeton Fireworks Committee.
Activities, vending, Bingo and games will be available at John J. Collins Memorial Park — also known as Centertown Park — in the center of Galeton. The event opens at 6 p.m., and a number of musical acts are lined up to perform at the pavilion in the park throughout the evening.
At dusk on Friday, the Borough of Austin, about 30 miles west and south of Galeton, will hold its fireworks display.
On Saturday, events continue in Galeton with a large parade stepping off from the Galeton Area School at 11 a.m., proceeding down Germania Street, around town and out toward the intersection with U.S. Route 6. The parade is rather large and draws crowds from a large area.
Participants will include the Hit Men Brass Band of Rochester, N.Y. The Hit Men have been named the Champion World Drum Corps Brass Ensemble and play regularly across New York state, Pennsylvania and North America.
Awards will be given following the parade for a more than a dozen categories, including drum and bugle corps, colorguard, high school band, float, and a number of divisions for automobiles and emergency vehicles.
Throughout the weekend, a number of giveaways will take place. Tickets are available at the event or from Galeton Chamber members, Lakeview Cinema and a number of other locations throughout town.
Matinee showings of “The Lone Ranger” starring Johnny Depp will be shown at Lakeview Cinema throughout the day, with a late-night showing immediately after the fireworks show, estimated to begin shortly after 11 p.m.
As darkness fills the Pine Creek valley, spectators can settle in around scenic Berger Lake in the center of town for Galeton’s Fabulous Fireworks Display, one of the biggest and most spectacular in the area, which will begin at approximately 10 p.m.
Also being held on Saturday is the 39th annual Bark Peelers’ Convention at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum located on Route 6 between Galeton and Coudersport.
Demonstrations of life in the lumbering era will be held throughout the day Saturday and Sunday.
An authentic saw-mill, used prior to the days of electricity, will be in operation at the Convention, along with craftsman forging horseshoes, making brooms, carving and a number of other lumber-era activities.
Contests will include sawing races, log rolling, greased pole competitions, horseshoes, a chili cook-off and children’s races.
Vendors will be on site both days with food, drinks, crafts and merchandise. The museum is currently under construction, but major attractions will be open throughout the festival. There is a separate ticket price for individuals over the age of 12 and children ages 3-11.
For more information on the festivities in Potter County, contact one of the above listed organizations or visit the Potter County Visitors’ Association on their Internet site or Facebook page.
Programs on solar viewing and a night sky tour will also be held over the July 4 weekend in Cherry Springs State Park.
The solar viewing will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the park. Participants will be able to look through specially filtered telescopes and take a closer look at Earth’s nearest star, the sun. Discover and view the features of the sun and learn how they impact the earth.
Meanwhile, a program on Saturn and the Summer Milky Way on the Rise will be held from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Friday.
Guest presenter Thom Bemus from the National Public Observatory will lead the evening’s program focusing on Saturn and the Milky Way.
A night sky tour will be held from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Participants can experience the splendor of the night sky. Observe the constellations through a laser-guided tour conducted by park staff. Hear the legends and myths surrounding these patterns in night sky. Explore planets, star clusters and other deep space objects through the park’s telescopes.
Programs are conducted at Night Sky Viewing Area, which is located opposite the gated Astronomy Field
If the sky is unfavorable for stargazing, an alternative program will be held in the pavilion on the South Side of the park. However, this program may be canceled in the event of severe weather.
The weather can be cool and damp; dress accordingly. For further information, contact the Lyman Run State Park office.
The park asks that visitors to the Night Sky programs to leave their pets at home. Dim lighting, large crowds and sensitive equipment do not create a conducive atmosphere for the animals.
