Everything will be in place for Allentown’s brand new street festival – a “Star Spangled Celebration” that brings the annual July 4th festivities to Linden Street for the first time.

Allentown’s Fourth of July Festival will incorporate food and drink, music and activities for all ages directly outside J. Birney Crum Stadium on Linden Street (also known as Parkway Boulevard) in Allentown. The event will run from 4pm-10pm on Thursday, July 4th. It will of course be capped by a brilliant 4th of July fireworks show.

Celebration Fireworks Inc. of Kutztown is again producing this year’s fireworks show. The show will be customized to the new venue with special effects that can best be appreciated when viewed in the festival area.

Traditionally this event is held in J. Birney Crum Stadium. The installation of a new field surface in the stadium this year required some logistical changes which also offered an opportunity to expand and bridge the stadium and park audiences.

The 2013 festival will be held between the stadium and Cedar Beach Park on Linden Street. This new venue allows for the creation of a larger, more interactive event. Seating will still be available in J. Birney Crum Stadium while the festival fills Linden Street and the eastern portion of Cedar Beach Park with a holiday celebration.

Attendees can make a day of it. Admission to the city’s Cedar Beach Pool only will be free on Thursday. Attendance will be restricted by mandatory occupancy limits. The capacity level at the pool will be strictly monitored. Persons who leave the pool area may have to wait to return.

The beloved traditional elements of the city’s July 4th celebration, like live music, skydivers from Lehigh Valley Parachute Team and face-painting, will remain a part of the program. Brand new features will include – children’s rides, interactive activities, a beer garden and more! Some of the entertainment slated for the day includes: boomerang throwing demos, music by the School of Rock, the Gilbert Singers/ Sing for America, Xcape Dance Company, the Marine Band of Allentown and the Toga Party Band.

Tethered hot air balloon rides will be offered in the easternmost field of Cedar Beach Park offering a breathtaking view of the city and even the fireworks, weather-permitting. Boomerang throwing and APD Canine Unit demos will also take place in this portion of the park.

Some of the strolling entertainment includes: Pip the Mouse from the Liberty Bell Shrine Museum – thanks to support from PPL. Pirates, puppets and stilt walkers will also be visiting with festival-goers thanks to the Street Theatre Alliance and Roaming Pirate.

America On Wheels, the Mack Truck Museum and local car clubs will have unique and antique vehicles on display. There will be space for some additional cars. Anyone interested in receiving “prime parking” by showcasing your classic vehicle is asked to arrive prior to 4pm.

The Alternative Art Gallery will be creating a “pop-up” gallery and demonstrating the creation of live art as well as allowing the public an opportunity to participate in an art project. The public can add color to a mural created by Muhlenberg College Theatre and Dance.

Pet owners are invited to bring their companions to the festival and join in the Patriotic Pet Parade. The parade will form at 4:30pm and the march will begin at 5pm. Prizes will be awarded for: the Best Pet and Pal Combo, Most Patriotic Pet and Best Costume. There is no cost to participate. Visit the event webpage for further details.

Festival goers can choose from offerings from food vendors which will include: Asian Grill and Rice, Bada Bingg, Cactus Blue, Danny's Fine Foods, E-Zee Concessions, Front Porch Family Farm, Lilo Mobile Snacks, MMG Concessions, Phil's French Fries, Puertorrican Cultural Preservation, Sweet Nanny's Nuts and Candy, Trixie’s Treats, Tyler Concessions and Willow Street Pub. The offerings include everything from taco salad to prime rib sandwiches, fried rice to chicken on a stick and Italian ice to cupcakes.

Persons are not permitted to bring their own alcoholic beverages to the festival and no alcohol will be allowed in the stadium.

Although this event is free and requires no admission charge, donations are greatly appreciated. There will be buckets throughout the event. Checks can be made out to “Friends of the Allentown Parks” and dropped into the buckets or they can be mailed to “Friends of the Allentown Parks at 2700 Parkway Boulevard, Allentown PA 18104. The funds help to offset the cost of this community celebration.

On Stage:
4:00 - 4:45 School of Rock Allentown
4:45 - 5:00 Xcape Dance Company
5:00 - 6:15 Gilbert Singers
6:30 - 7:15 Toga Party Band
7:20 - 7:55 Marine Band
8:10 - 8:40 Toga Party Band
8:40 - 9:10 Marine Band
9:15 - 9:20 Announcements and Anthem
9:20 - 9:40 Fireworks
9:45 - 10:30 Toga Party Band

Other Activity:
4:00 - 10:00 Street Theatre Alliance Strolling Performers
4:00 - 10:00 Alternative Art Gallery Art-In-Action and Interactive Art
4:00 - 10:00 Children's Rides, Games and Art
4:00 - 6:00 Pip the Mouse Strolling
4:30 - 5:00 Pet Parade Line Up
5:00 - 5:30 Pet Parade Marches Down Linden
5:15 - 6:00 Hot Air Balloon Set-up
6:00 - 10:00 Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides
6:00 - 6:20 Canine Unit Demo
7:55 - 8:00 First Skydiver Jump
8:00 - 8:30 Boomerang Throwing
8:55 - 9:00 Second Skydiver Jump

The City of Allentown thanks Cedar Crest College, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and the Sylvia Fenstermacher Lawler Foundation for the Arts, RCN, The Morning Call, WFMZ and Adams Outdoor Advertising for their support of this event.

For more information contact Tara Craig at 610-437-7530 or through e-mail at tara.craig@allentownpa.gov. A page with all details can be found at www.allentownpa.gov/fireworks.
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