Fire company plans July 4th celebration

By Connie Cousins

“Summer time and the livin’ is easy.”

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Well, maybe not easy, but certainly it is enjoyable. There are many local activities that can provide fun and memories for everyone.

I remember the local firemen’s event called Old Home Week in the little village of Fredonia when I was young. A couple of friends and I would be so excited to hear the bell ring when some young man’s muscles were equal to the task, to smell the popcorn and cotton candy, and to climb into the ferris wheel cage for the first time unaccompanied by an adult.

That little town square seemed huge with all the tents and rides set about. The summer carnivals and fairs are among my favorite memories.

So I’m looking forward to the Logan Fire Company’s 47th annual Fourth of July celebration and carnival today through Friday on the Bellefonte Armory grounds on East Bishop Street. Here’s the schedule.

• Today: Kids Night from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with wrist bands at a reduced price.

• Wednesday: Ride Night from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with wrist bands; DJ Marlin Neff will play music from 7 to 10 p.m.

• Thursday: Ride Night from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with wrist bands; a DJ will perform from 7-11 p.m.; the fireworks display by R&R Fireworks will be at 10:30 p.m.

• Friday: The parade will take place at 6 p.m. at Allegheny and Bishop streets; the Bellefonte High School Band will play after the parade; Ride Night will be from 6:30-9:30 p.m., with a DJ from 7-11 p.m.

A new discovery

I discovered this week that Governor’s Park in Bellefonte is another nice local site where you can picnic, swim, play tennis or just relax. I have been making the rounds of some parks, miniature golf places and similar attractions because I will have two grandchildren visiting soon and I will need lots of entertainment ideas.

Jazz it up

Attention jazz fans:

Jazz PA will present an all-day Summer Jazz Celebration on July 25 in Bellefonte.

Most events, taking place in Talleyrand Park and other venues throughout the borough, are free; the evening concerts at the American Philatelic Society in the Match Factory are $10 per set or $15 for both sets.

The celebration features the saxophone in honor of founder Joe Alessandro. Featured artists include Jerry Dodgion, saxophone, Russ Kassoff, piano, David Finck, bass, and Dennis Mackrel, drums.

Also scheduled are the following: The Tarnished Six, The Friends (Big) Band with vocalist Catherine Dupuis, State College Area High School Jazz Band, Bellefonte Area High School Jazz Band, Rick Hirsch & Liquid Jazz, and Arthur Goldstein Quartet with Steve Bowman. For information, visit www.jazzpa.com.

Connie Cousins writes about community news from the Bellefonte region. If you have news in Bellefonte or Benner, Spring, Marion or Walker townships, e-mail her at connie.cousin@yahoo.com or call 308-8390.