Happy Independence Day!
Erma Bombeck said, "You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." I love Erma Bombeck and I heartily agree!
I don't know what your plans are for today and the rest of the holiday weekend but I'm guessing you're going to want to see fireworks. After all, fireworks are the traditional way we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of our nation and there is no shortage of the popular pyrotechnics in Schuylkill County.
As always, Port Carbon's fireworks are tonight. Pottsville's Fireworks Celebration at the Union Station is Saturday. Mahanoy City will also have fireworks on Saturday. July 12 is Family Night & Fireworks at the Island in Schuylkill Haven and Saint Clair will have a fantastic fireworks display on July 19 after their annual Car Cruise.
Our friends at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, Pine Grove, are having the annual Fourth of July Concert in the Park at 6 p.m. today. Bring your own lawn chair and enjoy the patriotic sounds of the Pine Grove Area Community Band. You can also spend a beautiful day hiking, fishing, kayaking and picnicking in the park. The concert is free and open to the public.
The Anthracite Philharmonic, along with The Minor Notes Chorale, will delight you at the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts on Sunday.
The Tamaqua Summer Concert Series at the 1874 Railroad Station runs on July 17 and 31 and, as always, is free and open to the public. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a melodious summer evening with family and friends.
Heisler's Dairy Bar & Mini Golf in the beautifully pastoral Lewistown Valley has "A Night in the Country Summer Concert" dates of July 5, 19 and 20 on its schedule, too.
The Tamaqua Community Arts Center is also booked musically throughout July. You can enjoy This is JUSTUS on July 19, the Big Bad Rockabilly Cats on July 25 and Schuylkill County Alumni Musicians on July 26. There is also a Family Folk Music Concert with Dave Frey on July 12 at the arts center.
Dave's concerts feature both traditional and contemporary folk music, spliced together with guitar, mandolin and banjo, supplying wry and spontaneous commentary on American family life and plenty of participation on everyone's part.
Take my word for it, this is something you really don't want to miss folks.
Some years ago (probably about 15 but who's counting, right?) when my kids were small, I remember taking them to a Dave Frey family concert in Ephrata and we loved it. I also remember the drive with the four of them excited yet always bickering and wishing I had remembered the Excedrin. There's no need to travel to see this first rate show friends, it's right here in Schuylkill County.
So it's July and the weather's been cooperating and hopefully you've been making time to get outside and enjoy our exquisite natural amenities. There's lots of ways to do this, although I only have time to mention a few.
Tuscarora State Park is great resource for outdoor recreation. True to form, they've got activities on both land and water for us again this year. Basic Kayaking Courses are scheduled for July 28 and Aug. 2 and 9. These courses are excellent and fill up quickly. A Long Loop Hike is scheduled on Saturday at the park, too. Call Robin Tracey at 570-467-2506 for more information and to register.
Schuylkill on the Move's hikes include the Tremont Trail Trekking on July 13 and Silver Creek Fire Tower Trek on July 19. Call 570-622-4124, ext. 113 for times, meeting places and all the pertinent details.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Drehersville, will expertly guide you on the North Lookout Moonwalk on July 12 if you're so inclined and Rausch Creek Powersports hosts the AMA District 6 MotoTrials on July 13. You know, I have to admit that is one place I haven't been yet therefore it's going on my calendar as we speak.
The much-anticipated Schuylkill County Fair begins this month on July 28 and continues through Aug. 2. Chock full of food, entertainment and activities designed to please all ages, this event serves as a vibrant connection between the number one Schuylkill County and Pennsylvania industry, agriculture, and the community of our county and eastern Pennsylvania.
For more information on any of the great July events in Schuylkill County, visit www.schuylkill.org.
As always, keep an eye out for visitors as you enjoy summer in our backyard. Offer them a warm welcome as they explore the events, activities, attractions and outdoor recreation we are privileged to enjoy every day.
(Gargano is executive director of Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau)