NEW BETHLEHEM and CLARION – With the 250th birthday of the United States of America being celebrated on Saturday, communities in the local area are getting a jump start on the celebrations tomorrow (Friday) with a series of events and fireworks displays in New Bethlehem and Clarion.
In New Bethlehem, the annual Freedom Fest, hosted by the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce, will take on an expanded presence on July 3, as the event has been paired this year with Cops and Bobbers, a youth fishing program hosted by the Southern Clarion Police Association.
All festivities will take place in New Bethlehem’s Gumtown Park along Water Street and adjacent to Red Bank Creek.
Southern Clarion County Regional Police Department Chief Robert Malnofsky said that local veteran Raymond Guntrum donated the money this year for the fish to be stocked in the creek, bringing the event back to the Redbank Valley after several years in Rimersburg.
“That’s what made it all happen,” Malnofsky said of the donation.
He explained that the truck with the fish will arrive at the park at 8 a.m., and children are invited to help release the fish into the waterway.
The Cops and Bobbers event will officially take place from 9 a.m. to noon, with the chief explaining that police officers and others will also be on hand to help children with their fishing.
The free program is for kids age 12 and younger, and registration begins at 8 a.m. in the park.
“We’re hoping the public comes out to support the event,” Malnofsky said. “And hopefully we have nice weather.”
The fishing program will also feature door prizes for the kids, a free lunch at noon for participants (adults can eat with a donation), a 50/50 raffle and Chinese auction.
The chief said prizes will be awarded around 12:30 p.m.
The day’s events then shift to the park pavilion where the Gumtown Community Market will be open from 12:30 to 5 p.m., offering a variety of farm fresh produce, canned goods, baked goods, homemade items and more.
Later in the afternoon, the official Freedom Fest will kick off, with the chamber selling food at its booth.
Chamber events coordinator Gennie Gerow said the chamber will offer up for sale hot dogs, walking tacos, nachos and drinks throughout the afternoon and evening.
The police association food booth will also be in operation, offering hamburgers, french fries (along with garbage fries) and drinks.
Gerow said the chamber will also have a number of free goodies for children, including patriotic temporary tattoos and other giveaways.
She noted that the local American Legion Honor Guard will be on hand in the evening to present the country’s colors during the celebration of America.
The police association is also sponsoring a performance on the park stage by Blair Hindman’s band, Broken Down Dog. The music is set to begin around 6:30 p.m. and continue until the time of the fireworks at dusk.
Gerow said the fireworks display will again be launched from across Red Bank Creek, lighting up the sky above the park.
“I want to thank the businesses and sponsors that help defray the costs of the fireworks,” Gerow said, noting that fireworks costs have risen significantly, placing a burden on the chamber of commerce. She said the sponsors would be thanked publicly at the event, and asked everyone to support the fireworks sponsors for making the show possible.
Additionally, she said, tickets will be on sale up until the time of the drawing at the event for the chamber’s Freedom Fest raffle. The top prize is a $500 gift certificate for M&S Meats, with second place being a $250 A-Plus Sunoco gift card and third place being a $200 Joe’s Pizza gift certificate. Tickets are $10 each or three for $25. The drawing will occur prior to the band’s performance at 6:30 p.m.
Also during the event, Gerow said Steve Nolf will be set up selling kettle corn, and the Chow Hall food truck will also be at the park.
“We’re hoping for a big crowd to help celebrate the milestone 250th for our country,” Gerow said.
I Love Clarion
The Clarion Chamber of Business and Industry will host its annual I Love Clarion festival on Friday, July 3, with events based at the PennWest Clarion Memorial Stadium.
The free event is co-sponsored by Pennsylvania America Water, Penn Highlands Healthcare and PennWest Clarion University.
Chamber director Tracy Becker said the gates will open around 5 p.m., with food and drinks available for purchase from local non-profit groups.
Food vendors include the Clarion Moose Lodge with hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers; the Knights of Columbus with kettle corn; the chamber with soft drinks, chips and candy; and other vendors possibly with ice cream and shaved ice.
There will be bingo, free children’s games and a children’s craft corner where kids can decorate a bird house that will then be presented to a veteran in attendance at the event at 8:30 p.m.
The veterans presentation will begin at 8:30 p.m., with all veterans in the area invited to take part.
The evening will also feature a performance by the Wrangler Band, which will play from around 7:30 until 9:45 p.m. on the stadium’s track.
The fireworks show, provided by Boomville Fireworks of Brookville. is scheduled to begin around 9:45 p.m.