The spirit of independence and patriotism is strong across the region. There are several events and firework displays planned to delight locals looking to celebrate the Fourth of July. 

McKean County

• McKean County Raceway in Smethport will host the Jason Dunham Memorial Race followed by fireworks Friday evening. The race will begin at 7 o’clock, followed by fireworks at dusk. Tickets range from $45 to $15, depending on age and location. Children younger than 7 are free. 
• Majestic Trails will host an Independence Day celebration Sunday in Smethport. There will be live music from the band North of Roots from 7 to 11 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Free glow sticks will be available. 

Cameron County

Emporium will mark Independence Day on Saturday. The fun begins with the Firequacker Duck Derby held at 2 p.m. at 24 W. Fourth St. in Emporium. Come adopt a duck for the derby. All proceeds go toward supporting the fireworks show. 

At 5 p.m. the celebration will move to Smokers Insane Terrain Offroad Park on Sizer Run Road. Mud track races will begin at 5 p.m. followed by food and fireworks at dark. 

There should be plenty of parking thanks to kind neighbors. Feel free to watch from your car or bring a chair and sit under the stars. 

These events are sponsored by the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce and Artisan Center. 

Warren County 

On Friday, the Fourth of July Parade will take place at 11 a.m. in Warren. There will be food trucks and vendors stationed at Betts Park from 4 to 10 p.m. The cutest baby contest will take place at 4 p.m. in the park, followed by Warren’s Got Talent from 6  to 10. 

On Saturday, the Freedom Fundraiser 5k will take place at 7 a.m. in Warren. The Firefighter Challenge begins at 9 a.m. in Betts Park. The Warren’s Got Talent Finals will be held from 1 to 4 o’clock in Betts Park. There will also be a Cruise In held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the park. 

The band Echoes on Water will perform from 6 to 9 at Bent Run Brewing, while Hellz Bellz will perform at Betts Park from 7 to 10. 

There will also be a picnic from 7 to 10 at Pleasant Community Church. 

Finally, the evening will wrap up with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. at Betts Park. 

Potter County 

• Gary’s Putter Golf and Jiffy Pup Restaurant in Coudersport will host its fourth annual Fireworks Show at 9:30 Sunday. There will be many activities beginning at 5:30 p.m. including mini golf, zip lines, paddle boats and live music. In the event of poor weather, this event will be rescheduled to July 13. 
• Galeton’s Independence Day celebration, the 40th Annual Goodyear Hose Company’s Red Suspender Weekend, will be held Friday and Saturday with live music at the pavilion, rides and food vendors from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, a 5K run will begin at 8:30 a.m., leaving from St. Bibiana Parish Center. The Independence Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by a performance from the Caledonian Highlanders Pipe and Drum Band and Down Beat Percussion. Once again, there will be food, craft vendors and rides beginning at noon and live music all day in the pavilion. The drawing for the cash prize will take place at 7 p.m. Fireworks will follow at dark. This event is also sponsored by the Galeton Chamber of Commerce. 
• The Austin Area Independence Day celebration will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Austin Area High School. Many local vendors will be there. Fiamatta Pizza, Red Horse Grill, God’s Country Kettle Corn, Danny’s Whiskey Wagon, Moore Nutrition and Scouting America will offer food for purchase. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and live music from Dana Daisly. Fireworks will begin at dark. This free event is sponsored by the Austin PRIDE Committee.

Forest County 

Marienville will host a Fourth of July celebration from 1 to 10 p.m. Friday at the MACA Building on Pine Street. There will be food, bingo, a silent auction, swimming, volleyball, softball and horseshoes throughout the day. The parade begins at 4 o’clock and fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. 

Jefferson County 

The Freedom and Fireworks celebration in Brockway is sure to thrill, with jammed packed activities for the whole family to enjoy. 

The fun starts at 8:30 a.m. for the Firecracker 10k Race and Run in the pool parking lot. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the concession tent. Next is the Independence Day Hockey Tournament at 9 a.m. at the roller hockey court. Registration for the Star Spangled Bike Race/Tour de Brockway will begin at 9 a.m at Brockway High School.

The celebration will truly get underway at 9:15 a.m. during the ringing of the bells ceremony at the museum entrance. A fishing contest will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Parkside Complex pond. This event was sponsored by BP Inn and the Brockway High School Class of 2026, who donated proceeds from their artisan market.

Throughout the day there will be many events, including a car, truck and motorcycle show in the concession area from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a craft show and a patriotic program at 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion Memorial Stage. 

Iron City Circus Arts will give a contortion and archery performance at noon at Taylor Memorial Park. Waves of Wonder, featuring Moana and live-action Ariel, will be from noon to 2 p.m. at the 9th Avenue Pavillion. More ocean fun can be found during the Mermaid Magic and Pirate Pandemonium show held from noon to 2 p.m. at the park pavilion. 

Throughout the day there will be free admission to the Taylor Memorial Pool, sponsored by Brockway Recreation Board. There will also be a Wave Water Slide held from noon to 5 p.m. near the main pavilion. This has been sponsored by Brockway Elementary School students and the Fourth of July Coin Drive. 

Children will be delighted with all the events available to them at Taylor Memorial Park throughout the afternoon. They can feed bears from noon to five, bounce on inflatables, play in the kid zone and enjoy a Funtastic Foam Party from noon to 1:30 p.m. 

There will be live music provided by Bad JuJu Cleveland from 3 to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Memorial Stage. 

A parade will proceed down Main Street at 6 p.m. Finally, fireworks will start at approximately 9:45 p.m. at Taylor Memorial Park. 

There will be a Movie Night in the Park held at 9 p.m. Saturday at the park pavilion.

For a complete list of Brockway’s events, visit brockwayfourth.com.