Central PA 4th Fest is back in full swing, but fewer volunteers have led to some changes
For the first time since 2019, the Central PA 4th Fest is back in full swing with the largest fireworks show in Pennsylvania and all of the traditional events residents have missed.
The annual celebration, which for years featured a 4K run, parade, festival near the Bryce Jordan Center and an acclaimed fireworks show, has slowly returned in the post-pandemic age, but new executive director Celesta Powell said it may not look like exactly the same 4th Fest attendees are used to. The celebration size directly depends on the community’s level of support, Powell said.
“Three years is a long time to return an event in the big format that it was,” Powell said. “So it’s been really unique, it’s almost like creating a new event around what was already a good and established event.”
In 2020, 4th Fest was canceled and a fireworks display across the region was held in its place. The next year was a limited event and last year was a scaled down version of 4th Fest that did not include the downtown parade or 4K race.
Despite the return of all the beloved 4th Fest activities, Powell said the event has a quarter of the volunteers it had in pre-pandemic years. The preparation of the event has also changed since 2019, with additional volunteers, parade barricades, police presence and more needed to host the event. Powell said the decrease in volunteers will mean an event with fewer parking lots and less of a “footprint” when compared to prior years. Volunteers can still sign up online to help out with the festival or contact Powell to help with next year’s event.
“Life has changed in three years. So our volunteers have just like everything else, and you know, we’re doing what we can. The people that work hard work really, really hard,” she said.
Although the event may seem a little different, Powell hopes the community will love it and support it all the same.
“My ultimate goal is that people feel a spark of why the dedicated volunteers I do have come back year after year after year to put this together,” she said.
Powell said several local community groups and nonprofits will have booths or appearances during the event, including Centre County LifeLink, the U.S. Air Force, the Centre County Youth Service Bureau and more.
“My background is in nonprofit, and I believe that they are the backbone of our community,” Powell said. “So I tried really hard to get a great representation for the community up there.”
Parking and select events require a payment or a ticket but several free attractions and events can be found throughout the festival. The first event of the day is the 9 a.m. Firecracker Runs, the parade through downtown starts at 1 p.m. and live music, free cake, free hot dogs and more are part of the daylong celebration outside the Bryce Jordan Center.
Parking runs from $10 to a $50 RV lot and the volunteer organizations, including local Boy Scout Troops and State College Rugby, collect a portion of the proceeds. Ag Lot parking opens at 9 a.m., and all other lots open at 1 p.m.
Schedule of events
9 a.m. Firecracker Runs at Bryce Jordan Center/Campus
1 p.m. Independence Day Parade starting downtown to Bryce Jordan Center
3 p.m. food courts open at event areas
3 p.m. Car Show Cruise In starts at Bryce Jordan Center
3 p.m. Children’s activities start at Towne Square on Curtin Road
3:30-4:30 p.m. Ady Martinez plays at Towne Square on Curtin Road
4 p.m. Roller Derby performance at Stadium West Parking Lot
4 p.m. Spike Stadium, Beer Garden and Kid Zone opens
4 p.m. Free hot dogs start at Bryce Jordan Center Area
5 p.m. Lawn viewing opens
5 p.m. Adam & the Armadillos at Towne Square on Curtin Road
5:30 p.m. BMX Bike performance at Beaver Stadium Student Entrance
5:30-6:45 Gabe Stillman at Spikes Stadium
6 p.m. Flag cake cutting at Towne Square
7 p.m. BMX Bike performance at Beaver Stadium Student Entrance
7:15-8:45 p.m. Yachtley Crew performs at Spikes Stadium
8:45 p.m. Kids run the bases
9:15 p.m. Fireworks show begins
Events in the Spikes Stadium and the lawn viewing for the fireworks show require tickets which are available online and run from $10-35 depending on location. The Firecracker 4K run requires a separate registration, which costs $35 a person.
This story was originally published July 1, 2023 at 5:00 AM.