PORT CARBON - The borough celebrated its annual Fourth of July festivities Friday with the new Firecracker 5K.
The three-mile race through the borough began at 8:30 a.m. with more than 200 racers.
"We were told only about 40 to 60 people would sign up, so we have surpassed that greatly," Chuck Joy, city mayor and president of the Port Carbon Citizens Committee, said.
Joy said the proceeds from the race will go toward the borough's fireworks.
"With this economy, the fireworks can be a financial burden," Joy said.
Runners who pre-registered paid $15 and runners who registered Friday paid $20. About 140 racers preregistered.
Joy said they plan to make the Firecracker 5K an annual event. He also said the race took six months to plan and it has been a team effort between committee and non-committee members.
The first male to finish was Teddy Quinn, 27, of Rochester, New York, at 15 minutes and 39 seconds.
"It feels great," he said after finishing the race. "My fiancee lives around here. We've been targeting this 5K for a while now."
Quinn prepared for the race by "getting consistent runs in everyday and workouts at the gym."
"It was a great race and a fun one for the holiday," Quinn said.
His fiancee ran in the race, as well.
"It was a fun thing to with a significant other," he said.
The first female to finish was Samantha Snukis, 28, of Saint Clair, at 19 minutes and 11 seconds.
"It was a tough run - good but challenging," Snukis said. "It's great to do something in the community."
She has participated in many 5K races, including this year's Boston Marathon.
Other racers were excited to run in the new event.
"I like the fact that all of the proceeds go to the Port Carbon fireworks," Megan Hanher, 24, of Port Carbon, said.
She said she wanted to run to get a better time than she recorded at other races last year and because she lives close to the race.
"It's a great Fourth of July activity," Jamie Zimerofsky, 31, of Pottsville, said. "It's something nice to do and to be active."
She said the Fourth of July is her favorite holiday.
"It makes me proud to be an American," Zimerofsky said.
She went to the race with her coworker from Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, Linette Hunyara, 49, of Minersville.
Hunyara raced with her daughter, Laura, 19, and her son, John, 23, both of Minersville.
"They used to run cross country when they were in high school. I do it to stay healthy," Hunyara said. "I always like to run on a holiday."
Hunyara said she was not looking forward to the hills during the race but was thankful the weather was cool.
Following the race at 10 a.m. was the borough's annual Fourth of July Baby Parade.
"It was always a welcome home parade and for World War II veterans, and it pursued from there," Joy said.
Joy has been in charge of the parade for 28 years.
The parade was lead by Grand Marshal Lindsey Vigoda, 18, of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, formerly of Port Carbon.
"I'm thrilled to be here," Vigoda said.
She said the Fourth of July is her favorite holiday.
Vigoda said she joined the Army about a year ago to follow in her father's footsteps to defend our country. She has been in Fort Bragg for about 4 months and works on helicopter CH47.
The parade featured children up to 12 years old who rode on floats, wagons or motorized toy cars.
Brandi Boyer, 4, of Port Carbon, said she was excited to drive her pink Disney princess motorized jeep with her sister, Bella, 1, of Port Carbon.
Axton Kutsmeda, 1, was dressed as Uncle Sam as he rode in his red, white and blue decorated wagon.
"We took (Axton) because he is finally big enough to sit up," Jeannie Kutsmeda, 23, of New Philadelphia, said.
"I love to just watch the little ones," Beth Kutsmeda, Port Carbon, said.