From fireworks to 5Ks — there will be plenty of ways to celebrate America’s 248th birthday in north-central West Virginia this year.
Kicking off the holiday week, Shinnston’s Independence Celebration will be held July 1 at Ferguson Memorial Park. The Shinnston Community Band will perform at 8 p.m. with fireworks to follow.
Baseball fans can catch another round of fireworks on July 3 at Kendrick Family Ballpark, after the Black Bears take on Mahoning Valley. First pitch is 7 p.m.
Morgantown’s Fourth of July celebration will be held at Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater on July 4.
The park will open to the public at 5 p.m. with live music by The Jukebox Band, aerial acrobatics displays by local talents Brittany Mann and Marisa Jagielo, food truck vendors, face-painting and other festivities beginning at 7 p.m.
The fireworks show, supplied by Little Big Shots, will be held at dark, which will be around 9:45-10 p.m.
A fireworks display put on by Greer Industries will also color the sky over Cheat Lake at around 10 p.m.
Earlier in the day, Morgantown Running’s annual “4 on the 4th” race will kick off at 8 a.m. from the rail-trail behind the Seneca Center. The 4-mile race will use portions of Mon Boulevard and Beechurst Avenue. A one-mile kid’s race will begin shortly after at 9 a.m.
Rich Farms in Smithfield, Pa., is celebrating with a festival and fireworks spectacular beginning at 5 p.m. with games, prizes and giveaways. Aristotle Jones will host and emcee the event, which features live entertainment by METRO, who will take the stage at 6 p.m. Fireworks will be launched at approximately 9:30–9:45 p.m.
A little further south, Weston and Fairview will also be hosting celebrations on July 4.
Weston’s parade will be begin at 6 p.m. followed by a street fair, roller skating, live music and fireworks.
Fairview is getting started early with a memorial 5K starting at 7:45 a.m. and a day filled with activities from a 9 a.m. parade, to a hot dog eating contest, car show, cornhole tournament, live music and fireworks at 10:30 p.m.
On July 6, Clarksburg will hold its Freedom at the Parks celebration featuring the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra at the Clarksburg Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. A fireworks display will follow the concert at dark.
Fairmont is also celebrating on July 6 with its annual Independence Day Celebration at Palatine Park. This year’s musical guests include Wanted: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band with special guest Motorcycle Drive-By and Flight Six-Six. Music will begin at 6 p.m. with a fireworks display at dark.
A scaled-down MountainFest motorcycle rally is returning to Triple S Harley-Davidson after a 5-year hiatus. This year’s event will be July 4–7 and promises four days and nights of riding, music and entertainment. Daily entry to the event is free until 6 p.m.
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