We’re celebrating Lebanon County’s role in American history. Read more here.
The 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding is almost here. Happy Independence Day!
LebTown will provide live updates Saturday, July 4, from the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairgrounds as guests celebrate the semiquincentennial. Check back often to see updates, or follow us on Facebook for the latest news.
The event kicks off at 1 p.m., and numerous programs, musical entertainment, food, and fun are planned for the countywide celebration. Festivities wrap up with the annual fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. at the fairground’s grandstands.
11 a.m. Thursday – Deck the halls
Preparation kicked off Thursday when a small army of volunteers began to turn the Expo Center into a patriotic palooza for the day-long celebration on Saturday.
Small flags were placed five feet apart along both entrances to the fairgrounds, and red, white, and blue bunting with patriotic themes was being hung inside Founder’s Hall and around the center.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania National Guard Museum employees from Fort Indiantown Gap were setting up their display, delivering historic army Jeeps, and prepping their booth, which includes Morse code machines. The military museum display is on the east side of the Senator Brightbill Barn.
Museum curator Michael Sprowles said guests can climb into the military vehicles, and other displays like the Morse code machines will be hands-on experiences for kids of all ages, allowing guests to send coded messages to each other.
Fans of the television show M*A*S*H will recognize, and all guests can operate, a military telephone like the one Radar O’Reilly used on the show to call home. The Korean War-era device is one of the displays spanning the nation’s military history.
Meanwhile, volunteers were busy Thursday morning in the West Hall, hanging quilts on large frames so guests can view the handiwork. Speaking of quilts, the 250th anniversary quilt is here, too, and will be auctioned Saturday at 6 p.m. in Wengert Pavilion.
Committee member Tom Newmaster told county commissioners at a recent meeting that the committee is going to put on quite a celebration on the Fourth of July, and he noted that folks in Philly are going to be jealous of what has been planned here.
11:45 a.m. Thursday – Beat the heat
Committee chair Bonnie Loy said while the temperatures are expected to soar through Saturday, guests can cool off at the Expo Center.
“Yes, it will be a cooling center here,” said Loy about the comfy confines of the air-conditioned facility. “We’re telling people to come to the Expo Center on Saturday to beat the heat.”
Committee member Nancy Gates estimated that between 85 and 90% of the planned events will occur in one of the center’s air-conditioned buildings.
However, the fireworks show, some musical entertainment, the kid’s activity tent, car show, and food trucks will be outdoors – although guests are welcome to bring in food they purchased outside to dine indoors.
“There’s plenty of indoor activities for people, and a lot of the historical presentations and programs will be inside,” Loy said. “There’ll be a lot of things that’ll be indoors most of the day, or certainly if people want to go outside and then come in, they’ll be able to get some air (conditioning).”
Bob Dowd, director of Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services, advised anyone planning to attend the event to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol, the latter being a dangerous combo with high heat.
As far as fireworks, Dowd advised residents to avoid setting them off this weekend due to dry conditions. Instead, he said they should enjoy those being displayed Saturday at the Expo Center, which he heard is going to be an impressive show.
“I have been told there will be twice the show at the Expo Center this week,” Dowd told LebTown. “If people want to enjoy fireworks this weekend, they should go there to see them.”
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