While the Parade of Heroes and the Firecracker 4K Race will continue to be part of the Central PA 4thFest, new activities have been added to the daylong, family-friendly patriotic celebration, which culminates with one of the best fireworks displays in the nation.
More than 550 volunteers and 220 sponsors are involved in the year-round planning and organizing that goes into bringing the event together. The majority of activities take place on Penn State's University Park campus with a parade marching through downtown State College.
For the first time at 4thFest there will be a concert held in the VIP section and the firework's ground show will include lasers.
"People with a VIP viewing pass will get to enjoy two great shows on Saturday night," said Bernard G. Keisling Jr., executive director of 4thFest. "At 7:30 national recording country music artist Craig Morgan and his band will be performing on the Independence Stage, then by turning 180 degrees in your chair or blanket you can see the fireworks show which begins at 9:15."