Plans have been confirmed for three other fireworks displays as Schuylkill County works to keep the summer tradition alive despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, fireworks will not be shot off at the Vraj Hindu Temple in Wayne Township, manager Rikin Desai said. Instead, the temple has been giving monetary donations to area food pantries, with $16,000 donated thus far, Desai said.
Saint Clair
Fireworks will be shot off behind the borough’s football field around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, according to Sharon Stednitz, borough office manager. However, residents are not allowed on the field at that time, though the aerial display will still be viewable from elsewhere in the borough. The show is sponsored by the Saint Clair Community and Historical Society. Stednitz said the fireworks normally coincide with a car cruise hosted by the society, but the cruise has been postponed.
Big Diamond Speedway
Fireworks will take place at the speedway in Forestville during the George and Georgie Stevenson Memorial race Friday, July 3, promoter Jake Smulley said, between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with racing starting at 7:45 p.m.
Minersville
The Minersville Area Lions Club will host a fireworks celebration beginning at 6 p.m. Monday, July 6, at the Minersville Little League Complex on South Fourth Street. The fireworks will go off between 8:30 and 9 p.m., Mayor Sean Palmer, a club member, said. The show will be preceded by games for children and a concession stand. Palmer said guidelines will be enforced on large gatherings and social distancing will be encouraged.
The club is working in conjunction with Dustin’s Adventureland to bring the games, while Minersville Little League is allowing use of the field and concession stand, Palmer said.
He said the Lions decided to take on the responsibility of putting on the display when Minersville Little League informed the borough June 1 it would no longer be doing the show, which has been going on since 1953.
He said league officials believed it was better to focus on other fundraisers as it cost them a lot of money to put on the show.
“We looked at doing the fireworks as a way to get more involved in the community,” he said of the Lions Club’s decision to fund this year’s display.
The club is raising $10,000 to purchase the fireworks and secure permits to shoot them off. Palmer said, as of Monday, $6,000 has been raised from fundraisers and donations from residents and businesses. Money can be dropped off in donation jars at the Washington Hotel, Spin City, Lazarchick’s Cafe, Palermo’s Pizza and Restaurant, Subba Bubba Sandwich Shop, Tricia’s Ice Cream Shop, Tony’s Meat Market, Fuel Up gas station, Craft House and BJ’s Value Market.
The Washington Hotel is selling sandwich meals for $8 from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 28, with proceeds going toward the display. Meals can be picked up at the hotel at 201 Sunbury St.
“We’re hoping to have the greatest fireworks show in Schuylkill County,” Palmer said.
Additional displays
Fireworks displays previously reported include:
Frackville: Postponed from July 3 but rescheduled for Sept. 5 at dusk at the baseball and softball complex. Rain date is Saturday, Sept. 12.
Port Carbon: Parade at 10 a.m. and display at 9:30 p.m. July 4.
Schuylkill Haven: Dusk on July 11 from Island Park. Festivities that usually accompany the show won’t be held.
Fireworks scheduled in conjunction with other events in Hegins and Pottsville have been canceled.
Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028; @Cleespot on Twitter