PITTSBURGH — We’re getting a taste of the plans for Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration, and for America’s 250th birthday, they are big plans.
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Of course, events will take over Point State Park, but will also extend to Mount Washington and the North Shore.
Chief Investigator Rick Earle sat down exclusively with Mayor Corey O’Connor, who said the event is not just one day. It will be a week-long celebration kicking off with a big concert at Point State Park.
It culminates on July 4 with events at three different locations and the biggest fireworks display in Pittsburgh’s history.
Earle: Where will the barges be?
O’Connor: Throughout the rivers on both sides, going down to the point. right at the point it will be spread out.
Earle: You’re talking about six barges with fireworks.
O’Connor: And it will be massive.
O’Connor said more fireworks will likely be launched from other locations, too.
Fifty years ago, for the 200th anniversary, they were set off from the top of the U.S. Steel tower.
Earle: Can you get the steel tower again?
O’Connor: We are working on a plan. We don’t know if we’ll be there.
Earle: Somewhere.
O’Connor: Something unique like that would take it over the top.
The week-long celebration kicks off on Saturday, June 27, at Point State Park with performances by Third Eye Blind and Nelly.
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Throughout the week, activities, events and musical celebrations will take place at other locations, like the new Arts Landing and recently renovated Market Square.
On Independence Day, at Point State Park, a flag raising ceremony, the firing of cannons, and, beginning at 4 p.m., musical performances, including a brass band playing patriotic songs, and a surprise musical guest.
Earle: That’s a big one that you can’t talk about?
O’Connor: Yea.
Earle: Are we going to enjoy it? Is it a big surprise?
O’Connor: I think it’s good. I don’t know how big of a surprise, but I think we’ll have concert goers that will enjoy it.
Also on July 4th, at Grandview Park on Mt. Washington, performances by local legendary bands, including Billy Price, begin at 4 p.m and run until the fireworks.
On the North Shore, music from a DJ, along with food trucks, a hot air balloon, and even a Ferris wheel in honor of inventor George Ferris, who lived on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
O’Connor: I think anything we can do to make it a little different is what we should be doing and adding a Ferris wheel to a large fireworks display is right up our alley.
As part of the celebration, the mayor says the city also plans to dig up a time capsule that was placed in the City-County building when it was built in 1916.
They have a general idea where it’s buried, but they are bringing in ground-penetrating radar to help them pinpoint the exact location.
O’Connor: I think it would be really interesting to open, especially nowadays, to see what’s in there. Hopefully, there’s $40 million to cover our budget defect but if not, we’ll see what’s in there. I’m sure it will be pretty unique.
In light of the city’s precarious financial situation, the mayor alluded to, the city received a $630,000 grant from the Robert K. Mellon Foundation to help pay for the fireworks celebration.
Performances at all three venues on July 4 start at 4 p.m., and the fireworks will go off at 9:35 p.m. Those will be broadcast on Channel 11.
Full preliminary schedule:
Point State Park:
- Between noon and 4 p.m.: flag raising and firing of cannons
- Kids activities
- Made Here Market with locally made arts and crafts, along with demonstrations highlighting trades that helped make the country, like glass blowing, and forging
- Musical performers on the main stage begin at 4 p.m., and conclude at 9:30 pm
- Surprise musical guest on main stage
- Second stage by Ft. Pitt Museum, where a brass band will play patriotic music
- Fireworks begin at 9:35
North shore:
- 80-foot hot air ballon (weather permitting)
- 90-foot Ferris Wheel (from July 1st to July 5)
- DJ from 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Food trucks
Grandview Park:
- Musical performances beginning at 4 pm by Shari Richards & the Lenny Smith project, The Nied’s Hotel Band and Billy Price Band
- Kids activities
- Food vendors
- Shuttle rides to the park
Liberty Avenue (by Stanwix):
- Food vendors
- Stage with live performances
- Chevy car show
Fireworks:
- From six barges in the rivers around Point State Park, and from a building downtown at 9:35
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