ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A Fourth of July celebration that will offer entertainment, amusements, a century car show and what is being called "the region’s largest drone and fireworks show ever" is set for Coca-Cola Park.
Television personality Carson Kressly, a Lehigh Valley native, will be master of ceremonies for Liberty Ignited: A Lehigh Valley Salute to America at 250 on July 3, a release said.
The event will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States.
Tickets, starting at a field-level price of "a celebratory $17.76 (plus fees)" up to $36.50 are available at the IronPigs website. Group rates also are available by calling the ticket office at 610-841-PIGS (7447).Lehigh Valley IronPigs
The centerpiece show will feature at least 300 drones and a fireworks spectacular that will be nearly six times the size of a normal IronPigs post-game fireworks show, the release said.
Liberty Ignited will also include "a full evening’s worth of entertainment ... ensuring there is something for the entire family for the momentous" celebration, the release said.
Ballpark gates will open at 5:30 p.m. July 3 and ceremonies will begin about 6:15 p.m., according to the release.
Tickets, starting at a field-level price of "a celebratory $17.76 (plus fees)" up to $36.50 are available at the IronPigs website. Group rates also are available by calling the ticket office at 610-841-PIGS (7447).
Opening, entertainment, car show
The event will open with remarks by state Sen. Nick Miller, Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel and IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes.
Following a color guard presentation, flag-raising and Pledge of Allegiance, Miss Pennsylvania Victoria Vespico will sing the National Anthem.
PA Shakespeare Festival will perform the classic Abbott & Costello bit “Who’s on First?” and The Bachman Players will perform, with a town crier, musket salute, colonials in period clothing and a Declaration of Independence reading.
Brandywine Colonials Fife and Drum also will perform, and there will be a first responders tribute, salute to veterans and a community sing-along.
Also performing will be The Swing Time Dolls and Bagpiper Geoffrey Nicotia.
There also will be a century car show, courtesy of The NB Center with showcased cars representing the history of the American Automotive Industry:
- 1910 Buick Model 10 Touring
- 1915 Ford Model T Touring
- 1929 Willys Knight Series 66B 4-Door Sedan
- 1933 Graham Model 64 Standard 8 Sedan (Blue Streak)
- 1940 Lincoln Zephyr V-12 Coupe
- 1953 Packard Clipper Deluxe Club Sedan
- 1963 Buick Riviera Sport Coupe
- 1970 Cadillac 60S Sixty Special Sedan
- 1980 Buick Century Sedan
- 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon
Drone show climax
Other historical groups participating with exhibits featuring historical documents, information, experiences and more will be showcased along the ballpark’s concourse.
They will include Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, League of Women Voters and a life-size papier mache Liberty Bell from Easton Rotary Club.
The night will climax with a show of hundreds of drones, illuminated and synced to music to produce dazzling displays, visuals and patterns across the night sky.Coca-Cola Park
Also, a Ben Franklin interactive hologram, an Allentown Fairgrounds exhibit with demonstrations of cream into butter, apples to applesauce and flax to linen.
Mini American flags will be given away to attendees as you enter, and you'll be able to sign a giant replica copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Coca-Cola Park staples Dani Long Legs, facepainting and other entertaining acts also will interact in and around the ballpark concourse.
The night will climax with a show of hundreds of drones, illuminated and synced to music to produce dazzling displays, visuals and patterns across the night sky.
It will be followed by the fireworks display.
Special for the holiday, apple pie and apple pie a la mode and other patriotic and ballpark concessions staples will be available.
Liberty Ignited is supported through an America250PA Semiquincentennial Grant, part of a statewide effort to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary, and by Pennsylvania Tourism Office funds.
