PITTSBURGH, PA — The city will commemorate America's upcoming 250th birthday with what arguably is its most ambitious Independence Day celebration ever.
Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor on Thursday announced a multi-day series of events happening on and around the July 4th.
"After recently being voted the best Fourth of July celebration in the country, this year the city and our partners will be hosting more special events from our neighborhoods to our riverfronts to welcome families from across the region to honor the history of Pittsburgh and 250 years of the United States,” O’Connor said at a news conference.
After being voted USA TODAY’s number one Fourth of July Celebration in the country last month, the city's Independence Day Celebration will return to Point State Park, Downtown, the North Shore and Mount Washington on July 4.
The celebration will feature local food vendors, family-friendly activities, veterans wellness space, stages with entertainment, hot-air balloon, a vendor marketplace, and more.
People will be be able to see the festivities from above with the “Piatt Companies Salute to Service Wheel.”
The 90-foot tall Ferris wheel will run from July 1 through July 5 on the North Shore. Tickets are on sale now and 50% of all proceeds will be donated to the Veterans Leadership Program. Tickets can be purchased at: pittsburghpa.gov/july4.
The BNY Main Stage at Point State Park will have enterainment starting at 4 p.m. Headlining the performances will be Grammy- and Tony-Award nominated national pop rock band the Plain White T’s. Shows are free,
As part of the National Flag Foundation’s Light to Unite, the city’s skyscrapers will be illuminated in red, white and blue across Downtown at 9 p.m.
The city's fireworks spectacular is set to be the city’s largest fireworks display in decades. For the first time, there will be a drone performance immediately before the fireworks start.
The fireworks show will utilize six barges on all three rivers – and some rooftops. Fireworks will begin at 9:35 PM on July 4.
This year, the city has partnered with local and national organizations to enhance Pittsburgh’s celebration throughout the days leading up to Independence Day.
Events include:
The Heinz History Center in the Strip District will host a special “History After Hours: America’s 250th” program featuring five floors of cocktails, vintage shopping, crafts, American history trivia, interactive experiences, and revolutionary fun.
From 11:00 a.m.- 3 p.m. on June 27, Allegheny County will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Andy Warhol Bridge linking Downtown and the North Shore with a bash the will include an afternoon of music, food, games and art.
More information is available here.
America250PA is ringing in the nation’s 250th year with a series of concerts throughout the Commonwealth. On
June 27, Nelly and Third Eye Blind will take the stage in Point State Park with special guest Frzy and feature a state-of-the-art drone show.
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will celebrate in the newly refurbished Market Square with special programming.
There will be family-fun events, trivia, concerts and:
June 30: Paint & Sip Special Edition in Celebration of America’s 250th
July 1: Wind Down Wednesday
July 2: Farmers Market America’s 250th programming
July 3 – 5: Mini Golf
The National Flag Foundation will welcome unique and meaningful American and Pennsylvania flags to Pittsburgh. An American flag that has flown in every state and a Pennsylvania Flag that has flown in each of the Commonwealth’s
counties - will arrive in one of their final stops during their flag “Sojourn 250.” They will travel around the city and region before departing for Washington, DC and Harrisburg, respectively, on July 4.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will be hosting a series of free concerts:
In partnership with the Philadelphia Youth Choral Ensembles, America250PA is bringing the power of music and community storytelling to audiences across the Commonwealth through the America250PA Sing250 Choral Series.
Pittsburgh's performance will bring the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh together with the South Hills Chorale at the O’Riley Theater in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will celebrate at the new Arts Landing in partnership with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music
Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Guardians of Sound Hip Hop Orchestra featuring INEZ will perform on the Dollar Bank Stage.
Peoplr can kick off America’s 250th birthday with the Fort Pitt Museum and join costumed re-enactors, local veterans, scouts and elected officials to raise a 36-foot American flag as part of a ceremony at 11 a.m. The event will take place at the Fort Pitt Block House in Point State Park.
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