Parades & Fireworks Mark Independence Day Around Area

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Today is Independence Day and there are plenty of events going on around the area to celebrate the holiday.

In Pittsburgh, the Fort Pitt Museum kicked off today's events in Point State Park by raising a 36-foot, 13-star American flag.

It's the same size and star pattern that originally flew over Fort Pitt more than 200 years ago.

Throughout the day, there will be historical ceremonies, including musket firings and performances by a fife and drum corps.

A big celebration will also be held at Heinz Field today.

Many vendors will be set up along Art Rooney Avenue, but the fun will be inside the stadium. There will be live music starting at 5 p.m. Craig Campbell takes the stage just after 8 p.m.

There will also be food and games. The gates open at 2 p.m. and admission is free.

For more information on the event, visit their website here.

The main event is a 24-minute fireworks show that begins at 9:35 p.m.

In Brentwood, thousands showed up for the annual parade and 5K race.

"I just started running six months ago so I thought, may as well go all out for my first Independence Day run," Jessica Welsh said.

Those who took a more casual approach took a seat to enjoy the 3,000 people marching.

It all started with a fly over and then they were off.

"A bunch of people I know in Whitehall are coming over to enjoy the festivities and staying around later on for stuff going on. You see people lining the streets with their chairs for later on," Jacob McKee said.

For Parade Chairman John Frombach, the planning starts in September.

"This parade has been going on since 1946 right after the Second World War and it's a homecoming. We have families coming back from all over the country," Frombach said.

Meanwhile, 45,000 people are expected to attend Pennsylvania's second-largest parade in Canonsburg. It's well known for people claiming spots with chairs.

"Every year we come down. It's just a tradition. It's what everybody does on the Fourth of July. If you're out in this community, you come down here for the Fourth of July parade," Robert Mounts said.

KDKA-TV's Kristine Sorensen and Marty Griffin will be the grand marshals of the parade.

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