Pittsburgh promises its biggest fireworks show yet to celebrate America's 250th
As plans are underway across the country to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Pittsburgh on Thursday unveiled details about its America 250 celebration on July 4, full of events, entertainment and amenities for all ages.
Recently rated as USA Today's top Fourth of July celebration in the country, this year promises to be bigger than before — especially the fireworks.
Mayor Corey O'Connor, along with city and county officials and representatives from several local organizations, made the announcement at Grandview Park on Mt. Washington on Thursday, with the Pittsburgh skyline serving as an appropriate backdrop.
The mayor also welcomed students from nearby Grandview Elementary School to help him ring an old bell that strongly resembles the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. O'Connor said the bell was gifted to the city during the tenure of former Mayor Sophie Masloff, who presided in Pittsburgh from 1988 to 1994.
"Is this bell better than Philadelphia?" O'Connor asked.
"Yes," the students answered.
But like the eastern side of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this side's history will be put on full display with countless events spanning from the Cultural District to the North Shore and beyond.
Pittsburgh planning weeklong celebration
Beginning on June 27, Allegheny County will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Andy Warhol Bridge that afternoon. The oldest of the three Sister Bridges, it connects Seventh Avenue Downtown to the North Shore. Later on, Point State Park will host the beginning of the Commonwealth Concert Serie, featuring Nelly, Third Eye Blind and local rapper Frzy as a special guest, as well as a state-of-the-art drone show.
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will open its programming on that same day in Market Square. Among those events will be a Paint & Sip art exhibition, a farmers' market and mini golf.
On July 2, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will begin a series of concerts for four straight days, beginning at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. On the Fourth, they will perform a free concert in the newly opened Arts Landing in the Cultural District.
"This semiquincentennial celebration is really going to be a first for us, too," said Kendra Whitlock-Ingram, CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. "The Cultural Trust really hasn't had an outdoor space like this to have a great Fourth of July event that supports all of the other efforts that are happening in Downtown."
Also on July 4, a series of events across the area will be open to the public, including a watch party at Acrisure Stadium, where soccer fans can watch the U.S. National Team compete in the World Cup in Philadelphia. Outside the stadium will be a food festival, along with a Ferris Wheel and other family-friendly activities.
Expect the biggest fireworks show yet
The evening culminates with perhaps the headline event of the annual celebration, and a family favorite that is expected to be bigger than ever before.
"If you're going to do anything big, especially in Pittsburgh, it's fireworks," O'Connor said. "Everybody loves a good firework. But the fireworks will be going off on six barges along all three rivers, and some buildings as well are going to contribute to the largest fireworks that we've ever hosted."
