NEW CASTLE TO EDIT
IT’S BEEN A BLAST IN NEW CASTLE FOR 25 YEARS
NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Have a blast in downtown New Castle at the 25th Annual New Castle Fireworks Festival featuring Arts on the Riverwalk, Saturday, July 9 from 3 – 10 pm. This free event offers an artisan’s market, live entertainment, children’s amusements, arts competitions, interactive activities, free shuttle buses and a fireworks finale by Pyrotecnico!
Making a first appearance will be a 40-foot tall zip line for thrill seekers and a Makers Fair that infuses science and new technologies with art. Other events include glass blowing, chain-saw carving and fiber arts. A mobile Ag Lab, 3-D printing and vinyl cutting, an audio playground from the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and a guest performance by the Carnegie Science Center and visiting artist Gil Teixeria.
A young maker’s tent will likewise offer free activities fusing inventiveness with creativity. Also giant spin art, bubble making, pendulum painting and other amusements such as the YMCA’s obstacle course (3-8) and cartoons at the Warner Theater in The Riverplex (3-9) and ever popular juggler/stilt walker will return to delight the crowds along with the parade size balloons and selfie stations perfect for photo ops! Guest appearances by Captain America, a Minion and Alice in Wonderland are also on the agenda.
‘Doers’ of all ages are invited to compete for prizes in the annual Chalk on the Walk Competition and Anything that Floats race, sponsored by Pizza Joe’s and Lowe’s respectively. Chalk on the Walk will take place in the First Merit Parking lot and along North Street, while the Anything that Floats craft building competition will take place in Riverwalk Park on E. Washington. Crafts will be launched from the East Street Bridge at 6 pm. The American Cancer Society Ducky Derby will once again launch at 7:30pm.
For those wishing to take a bit of the festival home, the artisan’s market offers a nice selection of handmade jewelry, pottery, soaps, candles, glass ware, photography, fiber arts, wood, pottery and other fine crafts at moderate prices. Instructors will provide demonstrations at The Hoyt’s tent, where you’ll find a large selection of local art by local artists.
Musicians, dancers and vocalists from across the region will be performing on and off the stage throughout the festival. Participants include the New Castle Regional Ballet, Funky Fly Project and Occasional Reign on the Main Stage and the New Castle Mini Stars, Elliptica Belly Dance and Hoop Spirit’s fire dancing on the Mill Street Stage. Entertainment will also fill The Confluence and Two Rivers Artisan Coffee Works from 3-9 pm, as well as street corners along Washington Street.
The Confluence, Two Rivers, Barritos at The Commonwealth, and Little Johnny’s II, Capitol Grill, Coney Island and Big Jay’s Hurricane Grill will offer food and beverage throughout the day alongside a variety of food trucks and food concessions such as Bite By the Bay, Haitian Sensation, Ice Hut, PGH Crepes and Mex-To-Go. Barritos is the only licensed alcoholic establishment. The North Street Shops will also offer activities during the festival.
The festival ignites with a kick off Wounded Warriors of PA benefit concert on Friday July 8th at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. Us4Now, Miss Freddye, American Idol semi-finalist Isaac Cole, and the Labra Brothers are the four bands highlighted from 5:00 – 10:00 pm. Food vendors and raffles will be offered throughout the evening. SkyKing Fireworks will cap off the evening at 10:00 pm.
For a full schedule of events, call 724.654.8408 or visit www.facebook.com/NCFireworksArtsOnTheRiverwalk. The New Castle Fireworks Festival featuring Arts on the Riverwalk represents a partnership between the Lawrence County Tourist
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
