Plenty to do Around Town to Celebrate the Fourth

Happy Independence Day, Bethlehem!

If you are inclined to do more than the family back yard barbecue today, there are plenty of places around town to go to celebrate your patriotism, or just have a good time.

If a party is what you want, it might be hard to beat the festivities at the SteelStacks campus. The events start at noon and continue right into the evening with the fireworks display lighting up the sky above the blast furnaces.

Here’s a full list of the day’s free events at the new ArtsQuest campus:

Noon-2 p.m.: 
Apple Pie Eating Contest - Air Products Town Square

Noon-5:30 p.m.:
 Once Upon a Nation - Air Products Town Square

Noon-5:30 p.m.:
 Chris Ruggerio - Air Products Town Square

Noon-6 p.m.:
 Patriotic Crafts for Kids - Air Products Town Square

5:30-7:30 p.m.:
 Junk Rock - Air Products Town Square

8 p.m.:
 Allentown Symphony - Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks.

If you like your Independence Day a little more low-key or traditional, there will be two free concerts of patriotic music in the Courtyard, both sponsored by Awareness Audiobooks. The first show is at 2 p.m. and the second is at 7 p.m.

Over at Payrow Plaza, between and the , the American Legion Band will play a concert at 7:30 p.m.

The culmination of the day’s events takes place at a little after 9 p.m., when the night sky above Bethlehem will be lit up with a spectacular fireworks display.

The best traditional vantage point comes from Payrow Plaza, though there are other spots that offer great views, including the Walnut Street parking garage. The SteelStacks campus will provide a brand new viewing spot this year, as the pyrotechnics display will be visible above the old blast furnaces.