The city's recently formed Pottsville Positive Committee is planning to revamp the Pottsville City Independence Celebration, changing the location of the traditional fireworks display as well as adding a parade downtown and other special events.
"We want to bring it downtown. When we held it at the stadium, it was a limited venue for most of the town," city Councilman Joseph J. Devine Jr. said Tuesday.
To finance the project, the committee launched a fund-drive to raise $10,000. This week, they're sending 400 sponsorship request letters to area businesses and charitable organizations. Later this month, they'll put 25 donation pails in area businesses. Donations can also be given at the front desk of City Hall, 401 N. Centre St., Devine said.
The committee will discuss its plans at its next meeting, to be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 14 N. Third St., Pottsville, Devine said.
On Tuesday night, committee representatives were at 14 N. Third St. stuffing envelopes to mail to potential donors. They included Chairwoman Lacie Hemerly, Vice Chairwoman Jennifer Rann and Secretary Matthew Drouncheck.
The Pottsville Fireworks Celebration will be held from 2 p.m. to midnight July 5. The rain date is July 6, according to Devine and Drouncheck. Events will include:
- The Progress Parade, a community parade which will tentatively feature local marching bands and local dignitaries. It will begin at 2 p.m. at Giant Food Store, 500 Progress Avenue, and end at the city's Union Station.
The committee is still in the process of confirming the parade lineup, Devine said.
- Celebration at the Station, an event at Union Station's parking lots featuring vendors, bands and disc jockeys, is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m.
Devine said the committee is going to make an effort to schedule musical entertainment, food vendors, games and rides.
- Jammin' at the Joulwan, an event for adults 21 and over featuring alcohol and music with a cover charge at Gen. George A. Joulwan East Side Park from 8 p.m. to midnight.
- The committee is planning to launch its fireworks show from Lawton's Hill, near Nativity BVM High School, Devine said.
Previously, the city's Fourth of July program was staged at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Pottsville Area High School and the fireworks were launched from the 16th Street Field across from John S. Clarke Elementary Center.