Fireworks light the sky July 3, 2025, at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

If you’re looking for something fun to do this Independence Day, check out a few local events happening in the area this weekend.

Main Line Mania

The Railroaders Memorial Museum is hosting Main Line Mania on July 3, when guests can listen to live music, eat wings by area vendors and watch a fireworks display to kick off their Independence Day weekend.

The parking lot opens at 3:30 p.m., gates open at 4 p.m. and live musical performances are from 5 to 10 p.m. Fireworks will begin about 10 p.m.

Live performances include The Voice finalist Josh Gallagher, K4 Kountry and 7th Virtue.

Guests are invited to sample the best wings in the area, vote for their favorite vendor and help crown the Wing King of Altoona. Wing categories include original/buffalo, creative spicy, creative sweet and unique/exotic.

A variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

Kids can also take part in a petting zoo, ax throwing with Slingers Throw House, a dunk tank, a large bounce house, face painting, custom T-shirts made on the spot and yard games.

Walk-ins are $5 per person, general parking is $10 per car and VIP parking is $15 per car. Tickets can be bought in person at the gate or online at: https://www.zeffy.com/main-line-maina.

Ebensburg events

A celebratory parade will be traveling through downtown Ebensburg at 10 a.m. July 4, featuring a ceremony and live musical performance by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble.

The route will start at the Ebensburg Library and travel down North Center Street and turn on to West High Street. From there, it will turn up North Julian and return back to the library.

The parade will include local first responders, antique cars and tractors, the Ebensburg VFW, American Legion and Boy Scouts, Rose Hill Farm, Shady Run Farm Riders and many others.

Kids and families are also welcome to decorate bikes, strollers and wagons and join in the parade. Line-up will begin at 9 a.m. at the library located at 225 W. Highland Ave.

Following the parade, a ceremony including remarks from local officials, two commissioned artwork displays — the Cambria County Liberty Bell and the Cambria County Torch, readings by the two first-place America250PA essay contest winners and patriotic musical selections from the JSO Brass Ensemble will take place in Veteran’s Memorial Park.

“It’s going to be a great way to come together and honor the anniversary of the founding of our great nation,” America250PA Cambria County committee member Danea Koss said.

In the case of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled, and the ceremony will take place in courtroom one of the Cambria County Courthouse at 200 S. Center Street. Any questions can be directed to dkoss@ebensburgpa.com or 814-472-8414.

Pillow fight at the ballpark

Peoples Natural Gas Field will be hosting “The Great American Pillow Fight!” along with a fireworks show on July 3.

Gates will open at 6 p.m., with the pillow fight event to follow later that evening. The night will close with a fireworks show.

The event will feature a professional, live pillow fight presented by the Pillow Fight Championship. Park Home will also be giving away 25 pillows through random draws for fans who may sign up at the Mountain View Eye Customer Service Booth.

For advanced ticket purchases, UPMC Health Plan Home Run Junction Outfield Bleachers is $12, Grandstand (300 Level) and Weis First Base Bleachers is $14, Edgar Snyder Terrace (200 Level) is $16, Toyota Diamond Club (100 Level) is $18 and Rail Kings is $19. An additional $1 will be added to day-of purchases.

For group ticket rates of 20 members or more, fans must arrange group tickets over the phone with a Curve ticket representative. UPMC Health Plan Home Run Junction Outfield Bleachers is $9, Grandstand (300 Level) & Weis First Base Bleachers is $10, Edgar Snyder Terrace (200 Level) is $12, Toyota Diamond Club (100 Level) is $14 and Rail Kings is $16.

Cruise-in set for downtown

Area residents are invited to “come and relive the 1976 Cruise the Town” with this year’s cruise-in slated from 6 to 8 p.m. July 4 on 11th and 12th Avenues in Altoona.

The Friends of Peterson Memorial Dragway is sponsoring the event, and the racers from Peterson’s, the Blair County Antique Automobile Club and other tracks will be participating.

Summer Thunder at DelGrosso’s

The DelGrosso Family of Companies is gearing up for its Summer Thunder 2026 fireworks extravaganza themed “America: 250 Years of Light and Liberty!”

The musical preshow will start at 9 p.m. July 4, and the free fireworks show will start at 10 p.m.

The Rozzi Family has been creating fireworks shows for DelGrosso’s Park for more than 50 years. More than 2,500 shells will light up the Tipton sky during the 25-minute pyromusical.

The evening’s soundtrack, produced by Dave Villani of Data Music Services in Altoona, will feature patriotic favorites along with a mix of modern hits.

Free parking is available in DelGrosso’s Park main parking lot.

The amusement park will be operating on its “Special Fourth of July Hours.” Laguna Splash Water Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., water side food stands from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Grill Americano and Laguna Snacks closing at 7 p.m. and DelGrosso’s Park Rides and Food Stands open from noon to 11:30 p.m. All-Day Fun Pass (Includes Rides & Water Park) is $39.00.

All rides will be closed during the Summer Thunder fireworks show. Select rides and food stands will reopen following the fireworks show. Hours and operation of rides and water park attractions are subject to change due to crowd/weather conditions, staffing changes or unexpected maintenance issues.

In the event of severe weather and the fireworks are postponed, Summer Thunder fireworks will be held on Sunday, July 5. Updates will be posted on DelGrosso’s website and social media pages.

Bedford Fourth of July celebration

Bedford County will be hosting a Fourth of July celebration starting at 3 p.m., filled with a family-friendly cornhole tournament, food vendors, live entertainment and a fireworks display at Fort Bedford Park.

Live entertainment includes Victor & The Icons from 3 to 5 p.m., The Country Tradition from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and The Bedford Symphony from 9 to 9:40 p.m.

The fireworks display will start at 9:40 p.m.

Johnstown Galleria fireworks

The Johnstown Galleria Mall is hosting its annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display.

Live music will begin at 11 a.m. with headliner Colten Danel performing at the South Fountain District Stage near Boscov’s and the new Galleria Bakery. The fireworks display will begin at dusk.

A DJ will also be playing music at the mall all day. Admission is free.