BOOM TIME FOR FIREWORKS

July 3, 2010 at 12:01a.m.

By Elise Franco

efranco@vindy.com

Folks staying in the Mahoning Valley this holiday weekend can expect hot weather and cool events.

Weather Central staff meteorologist Tom Carlson said temperatures today should be in the mid- to upper 80s and could reach the low 90s on Sunday.

Carlson said no rain is in sight and the dew point is moderate, so those planning on attending a parade or outdoor picnic should dress in light-colored clothing and drink plenty of fluids to beat the heat.

“Temperatures are warming each day,” he said. “The Fourth of July isn’t going to be a real humid day, but once the temps reach that level, it’s warm enough.”

Sue Plott of Warren said she plans to stay in the area this weekend and spend the holiday with her family.

“My son and his wife are having a July Fourth party at their house,” she said.

Plott said the family picnic is somewhat of a tradition, which includes watching fireworks.

“It used to be at my house, but my son took it over,” she said “This is the second annual.”

For those who aren’t planning on straying far, it’s likely your hometown or a neighboring one has some sort of celebration planned.

Tonight at 8 in Boardman, the Army Field Band will play a concert at Boardman Park. Fireworks will immediately follow at 9:45 p.m.

Those looking for something a bit less traditional can stop by downtown Youngstown starting at

5 p.m. today to participate in the Independence Day Dash at which bands will perform at local bars and restaurants. A a fireworks display will cap the night downtown at about 9:30.

The Austintown July Fourth Parade always draws a large crowd and is one of the longest-running Independence Day events in the Valley.

Chris Lewis, parade chairman, said the parade was established in 1976 as a part of the American Bicentennial celebration. The parade begins at Highway Tabernacle on Raccoon Road and ends at the Austintown Library.

“It’s been an annual event since then,” Lewis said. “We get a lot of diverse groups, a lot of student groups, a lot of volunteer organizations. The American Legion Post 301 has traditionally led the parade every year.”

Lewis said parade watchers can expect to see about 80 floats, vehicles and walkers, including the Austintown Fitch marching band, township trustees and Boy and Girl Scout troops, as well as a special guest grand marshall.

“Since our theme is ‘Austintown Goes Back to the 50s,’ our grand marshall is the singing group The Edsels, who sang ‘Rama Lama Ding Dong,’” he said. “They’re one of those local treasures a lot of people don’t realize we have here.”

The Howland Township parade is 1 p.m. Sunday, with games, food and entertainment from 2 to 5.

Sunday night fireworks displays include 10 p.m. at Lakeview High School in Cortland; 10 p.m. at Canfield Fairgrounds; and 10 p.m. at the village park in Newton Falls.

Though the Valley has plenty of events to keep locals busy, not everyone stays in town to celebrate.

The national price per gallon of unleaded regular gasoline is $2.75 this week. The average price in northeast Ohio is $2.76, according to AAA.

“We continue to see small gains in retail prices at the pump,” a AAA news release stated. “As we head into the July 4 holiday weekend, the national average retail price for a gallon of self-serve regular edged up 2.3 cents from last week.”

Bob Nemick of Austintown will likely be trying to find the best deal on gas before his family travels to Geneva on the Lake on Sunday.

Nemick said they travel to visit friends and take in the Independence Day crowds.

“I’ve been going there since I was 15 or 16, since I could drive,” he said. “Now we take the grandkids to go on the rides and the water slides,” he said.