When it comes to Independence Day celebrations, festivities just wouldn’t be complete without the patriotic sounds of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. Their music is as much a part of our Fourth of July traditions as the brilliant fireworks displays and family cookouts we all look forward to each year.
This year is no exception as the orchestra is preparing for two concerts in the area: one on Courthouse Square in Scranton on Sunday, July 3, and one in Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre on Monday, July 4.
Both concerts begin at 7:45 p.m. and will feature traditional patriotic favorites, such as the "Armed Forces Salute," "Liberty Bell March" and "Stars & Stripes," along with Broadway and movie favorites.
The orchestra will be led by guest conductor Joan Landry. (Lawrence Loh, the Philharmonic’s music director, is currently on tour in Europe conducting the PSO Youth Orchestra).
In 2004, Landry made her debut with the National Symphony at the Carter Barron Amphitheater. The next summer she appeared with Marvin Hamlisch and the National Symphony at Wolf Trap for a tribute to Cole Porter. She has also served as cover conductor of the National Symphony for three seasons.
Soloist Katy Williams, an audience favorite who frequently performs with the orchestra, will sing "God Bless America." She’s a member of the professional core for the Mendelssohn Choir, chorister in the Pittsburgh Opera and is adjunct music staff at Washington and Jefferson College. She is the soprano soloist at Rodef Shalom, Oakland.
In keeping with tradition, the orchestra will lead to the fireworks display at dusk. The sound of the "1812 Overture" will be the audience’s cue to look to the sky to cap off the evening.
Moving the Lackawanna County concert from PNC Field in Moosic to downtown Scranton will enhance the concert experience for visitors to Courthouse Square because we’ll be able to see the musicians much better.
"In this new arrangement, patrons will be 10 feet away from the orchestra, kind of like you are when we perform at the Kirby Center or at the Scranton Cultural Center," said Steve Parulski, marketing director for the Philharmonic. "So it’s really a more intimate view of the orchestra."
Parulski said members of the Philharmonic are excited to be performing downtown, and the decision to bring the concert to Courthouse Square is the result of cooperative efforts between leaders from the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County, the Philharmonic and a host of community-minded businesses and partners.
"Now we’re starting a new tradition in downtown Scranton," he said. "The orchestra is always changing, and progressive. And I think moving the concert into an urban environment in downtown Scranton where more people are moving only helps the orchestra."
In addition to the Philharmonic’s concerts, there will be plenty of activity on Courthouse Square and in Kirby Park.
Tony Bartocci, director of strategic sales & marketing for Entercom, said the fun starts in downtown Scranton at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Entercom is among the community partners involved in organizing this event, and they are sponsoring the fireworks display along with FNCB and Tom Hesser Auto Group .
There will be children’s activities, such as bounce houses and face painting, and food vendors offering everything from pizza and wings to potato pancakes and ice cream. Starting at 4 p.m., compete for prizes in a Minute To Win It style game, and enjoy local and national acts at 4:30 p.m., including Miz and up and coming Nashville Star Jason Jones.
Of course, the Philharmonic performs at 7:45 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Bartocci said fireworks will be launched from the Linden Street Parking Garage, and the show will last for 22.5 minutes.
"Every bang and explosion will be choreographed to music which will simultaneously be played around the square and broadcast live across Entercom’s four stations (98.5KRZ, Froggy 101, 102.3 The Mountain and WILK Newsradio) for everyone in the greater Scranton area to view and enjoy, a truly spectacular event for your eyes and ears," he said.
On Monday, thousands will flock to Kirby Park starting at noon for the City of Wilkes-Barre’s 4th of July Celebration. Lore Majikes, special events coordinator for the city, said she’s looking forward to another year of family fun at the park. There will be puppet shows and pony rides, kids’ games, amusement rides and a petting zoo. And, of course, there will be plenty of food, from pizza, potato pancakes and funnel cakes, to ice cream and homemade fudge.
Following the Philharmonic’s performance at 7:45 p.m., Pizza Paul Pyrotechnics will once again light up the sky. Attendees should look for even more exciting special effects than we saw last year.
"But you have to be in the park to see it all," Majikes said.
Apparently Pizza Paul and explosive experts have cooked up some special effects on the ground and along the dike, so be sure to get to the park early and find the perfect spot for your chairs and blankets.
If you go to
Where: Courthouse Square, Scranton
When: Sunday, July 3, 7:45 p.m., rain or shine.
What: Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic concert, followed by fireworks.
Tickets: Free
Information: www.wearescrantastic.com
If you go to
Where: Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre
When: Monday, July 4, 7:45 p.m., rain or shine.
What: Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic concert, followed by fireworks.
Tickets: Free
Information: www.wilkes-barre.pa.us.
Fireworks around the area
July 2
Hazleton – Harmen Geist Stadium, 9 p.m. (Rain date: July 3).
Moscow – North Pocono High School Stadium, 9:30 p.m. (Rain date: July 3).
Mt. Pocono – Mount Airy, 9 p.m.
Newton Twp. – Abington Heights Middle School on Newton-Ransom Blvd. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Visitors are asked to bring chairs. (Rain date: July 3).
Scranton – Nay Aug Park following the Jimmy Sturr concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m.
Trucksville – Back Mountain Harvest Assembly, dusk.
July 3
Honesdale – Irving Cliff, dusk. (Rain date: July 6).
Lake Ariel – The Beach, dusk. (Rain date: July 5).
Pittston, West Pittston – Water Street Bridge, dusk. (Rain date: July 9).
Plains Twp. – Fireworks follow the last harness race of the day at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, around 9:30 p.m.
July 4
Lake Wallenpaupack – 9 p.m. (Rain date: July 9).
Moosic – PNC Field, following baseball game.
Montrose – Montrose High School, dusk.
Pringle – West Side Career & Technology Center, dusk.
July 5
Jessup – Veterans Memorial Stadium, dusk.
July 8
Union Dale Fire Company, 10:15 p.m.
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