New Castle plans fireworks display for Saturday

staff report

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Area skies will burst into color Saturday when the city presents its annual fireworks festival.

The city will mark the festival’s 20th anniversary with activities throughout the day downtown along the Columbus Innerbelt. Hours are 3 to 10:30 p.m., with next Sunday serving as the rain date.

Activities include free arts and crafts for children and children’s rides including a giant slide, obstacle course, palm tree bounce and a trackless train. There will also be live entertainment and a mechanical bull and cash cube.

The American Cancer Society’s Ducky Derby is set to start at 8 p.m.

The entertainment schedule includes DJ Buck and Zak Golba on the community stage. Ray Ryan and New Orleans Riverside Band will play jazz and Cajun music from 6 to 9 p.m. Also planned is a special appearance by the Steelers mascot, Steely McBeam, at 8:30 p.m. Strolling entertainers Brigadoon Highlanders playing bagpipes will entertain from 4 to 6 p.m.

The grand finale will be the fireworks display by Pyrotecnico at 10:30 p.m.

The main stage acts are scheduled to perform as follows:

U3 to 4:30 p.m. — Sound Bite, rock

U5 to 6:30 p.m. — Train Wreck, country

U7 to 8:30 — Phat Cats, blues

U9 to 10:30 — Dorals, oldies