EASTON, Pa. — Easton has confirmed there will be fireworks at Heritage Day this July, along with a few other changes teasing the big 250th anniversary of the country next year.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said Thursday that the fireworks display, paid for by the city, will happen — though the location is yet to be confirmed.
Greater Easton Development Partnership Special Events Manager Joe Dimeck also said he was informed fireworks will return this year.
“They’ll be seen from this entire city."Easton Mayor Sal Panto
Dimeck said officials are working on a way to ensure they will be as visible as possible, especially in the Downtown area.
After the fireworks were shifted from the riverside to Hackett Park to increase visibility in 2023, some residents and attendees were upset about the move.
“They’ll be seen from this entire city” to close out the Saturday, July 12, extravaganza, Panto said.
Heritage Day and the public reading of the Declaration of Independence traditionally was held on Sunday until this year. The move to Saturday is strategic, with both Dimeck and Panto saying Easton events held Saturday often draw larger crowds.
Those crowds likely include visitors who stick around for a weekend and explore the city beyond the Heritage Day festivities, they said.
Then the music begins
Dimeck said there also will be a few changes for this year. With a quick turnaround, the scavenger hunt will be set for next year when it can get the time and thought it deserves,
However, there will be plenty to explore, with numerous options for education and entertainment.
Dimeck said the day will kick off at Easton Farmers’ Market, which celebrates its 272nd birthday that day.
From there, about 11:15 a.m., the march will begin, running from the market in Scott Park and up to Centre Square, where there will be re-enactments and the reading of the Declaration of Independence.
History Row programming will include a mix of exhibitors and demonstrators with which GEDP has partnered during the Lehigh Valley 250 initiative.
And then the music begins.
“We have Clare Maloney and the Great Adventure kicking off our music programming at 5 p.m.," Dimeck said. "She'll be followed by Leon Majcen, who is definitely an emerging talent.”
Dimeck said Majcen was represented by the Wasserman talent agency, which also works with Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, and other notable musicians.
“And then Lucky 7, which is Easton’s own, closing out the night.”
Dimeck said organizers are hopeful the new format will allow them to showcase Easton and the region's special role in the country's history, while also showcasing and celebrating what makes it special and distinct in the modern day.
"Beyond that, we seek to use this new format to help bring more musical talent to the city, which will only complement the strong food and arts culture Easton is known for," Dimeck said.
'Everybody should come'
Turnaround time for this year’s Heritage Day was quite quick, with Dimeck taking on his role at the end of April.
He said the 2025 celebration will serve as a model that can be scaled up for next year’s semi-quincentennial.
The new format will feature historical programming in the morning, followed by a self-guided, leisurely afternoon that will build to what Dimeck described as a “Americana Block Party,” and wrap up with the beloved fireworks.
Dimeck recommended those who plan to attend the celebration should follow the Easton Heritage Day Facebook page to keep current on all the details.
Panto welcomed the community to come out and enjoy the event and learn a little bit about the rich history of Easton in a fun and festive way.
“Everybody should come," Panto said. "I think we’ll get a big crowd for the reading of the Declaration of Independence, which I think everybody should be at the re-enactment.
"It's very good, and I like when all the colonists come down dressed in the 1776 garb. I think it's really good."
