Arts & Entertainment

Leetsdale 4th of July Committee Raises Funds for Annual Celebration

The goal is to raise $18,000 to $20,000 for the annual Independence Day observance.

Volunteers with Leetsdale's annual Fourth of July committee have been hard at work collecting donations for this year's festivities.

"We have serious fundraising efforts going on," said Leetsdale Council President  Joseph McGurk.

McGurk said the Fourth of July Committee has raised about $10,000, but is shooting for $18,000 to $20,000 in donations. Funds help cover parade costs, live music, fireworks, and other expenses.

As part of its fundraising, the committee is putting on a carnival that starts today in Henle Park. The five-day event runs through Saturday, June 29 with all proceeds benefitting the upcoming July 4th celebration. 

July 4 Festivities:


The annual parade begins at 2 p.m. at Quaker Village Drive and Beaver Street, with a route that goes down Beaver Street to Broad Street and ends at Henle Park. 

"The parade should be about 50 percent bigger than it's been in the past," McGurk said. 

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The Quaker Valley High School marching band is expected to participate along with the University of Pittsburgh drum line, the Ray Ryan Riverside band, a Brazilian marching band, bagpipers and others. 

The parade will also feature classic cars, public safety and military vehicles and various floats featuring local participants, including Fern Hollow Nature Center and Old Economy Village. 

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The Splash Pad and other activities will be open all day for the children, and the concession stand will be selling drinks and food.

Bands scheduled to play include Modern Insurgency from 3 to 5 p.m. and Eldorado from 6 to 9 p.m. 

Patriotic music from 9:30 to 9:45 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m.

McGurk said a new performance stage that is being built in the park should be ready for use on July 4.

The stage will also be used throughout the summer for several planned concerts in the park, including bands on Sunday, July 28 and Sunday, Aug. 11 with all money raised going to support the Fourth of July Committee. 

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