Fireworks Fest ready to explode

Staff report

NEW CASTLE, PA.

The Fireworks Festival featuring Arts on the Riverwalk will be Friday and Saturday on East Washington Street, downtown, from East Street to The Diamond.

Arts on the Riverwalk, sponsored by the Hoyt Center for the Arts, will include an artists market in The Riverplex from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and a juried art show in the Confluence from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Wounded Warriors concert kicks off at 5 p.m. in the Riverplex Amphitheater, with five bands.

The Jameson Health System’s annual Run for your Heart 5K will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, and the farmers market will follow at 10 a.m.

The Refresh Stage at the Riverplex will offer free workshops, performances and entertainment, including an interactive “Wanna be a Mini Star?!” show with Vaughn Hudspath at 3 p.m., followed by a family movie at 4 p.m.

At 7 p.m., the New Castle Lyric Opera will have its Opera Gala, while Riverwalk will host the Ducky Derby drop. Hoop dancers, drummers, poets, dancers and musicians will perform for tips at designated locations until the Dancin’ in the Streets party fills Kennedy Square at 8 p.m.

A partnership with the Lawrence County Historical Society and Lawrence County Community Action Partnership have added tours of New Castle’s Historic North Hill on Saturday. The North Hill is the third-largest historic district in Pennsylvania. Departures are planned at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. from Washington Center. A $5 donation supports the Historical Society’s new exhibit, “When Forges Roared,” at the Joseph A. Clavelli History Center on North Jefferson Street.

The society’s annual ice-cream social will begin at 8:30 p.m. on the front lawn overlooking the city, providing a great view of the fireworks display at 10:05 p.m.

Ethnic entertainment, costumes, crafts and food add to the diversity of the celebration, providing a glimpse of the city’s immigrant heritage.

For information, go to VisitLawrenceCounty.com.