Back from the 2000s, emo pop band Plain White T’s of “Hey There Delilah” fame will headline Pittsburgh’s July 4 music festivities as part of a week of America 250 celebrations that will see the city will also lead a national red- white and-blue charge and up its fireworks game.
Recently named the best city to be in for the Fourth of July by USA Today, Pittsburgh’s Independence Day festivities will this year ring out from Point State Park, Downtown, the North Shore and Mount Washington alike, as officials informed on Thursday afternoon from Grandview Park high atop Mt. Washington with the Steel City skyline looming in the background.
On July 4 at 8 p.m., Plain White T’s will take the main stage at Point State Park for a free show. Other to-be-announced acts will kick things off at 4 p.m.
Additionally, as part of a rolling event taking place across the national stage on Independence Day, Pittsburgh will help kick off the National Flag Foundation’s “Light to Unite” program on the evening of July 4 by illuminating the Three Sisters Bridges and Downtown skyscrapers, including the Koppers Building, The Gulf Tower and others in red, white and blue.
The lights will go up to symbolize past sacrifices, present resilience, and hope for the future beginning at 9 p.m. Other cities and locations across the country will follow by time zone.
Light to Unite is an initiative designed to create a nationwide red, white and blue illumination event, said Romel Nicholas, chairman of the nonprofit National Flag Foundation, adding that Pittsburgh will have the distinction of being the first city to light up.
In the realm of fireworks, city officials are also promising the city’s largest display in decades, with launch points on six barges floating on each of The Three Rivers and on three rooftops, getting underway at 9:35 p.m.
For the first time in Pittsburgh’s history, a drone show will precede the fireworks.
“I think if you’re going to do anything big, especially in Pittsburgh, it’s fireworks,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “This is going to be the largest display we’ve ever had.”
Heinz History Center president and CEO Andy Masich noted a few of the many reasons Pittsburghers have to celebrate the city’s legacy on the national stage in the lead-up to the 250th commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“During the Civil War, Pittsburgh was the arsenal of the Union. And then after the war, it became an industrial center, making rails that crisscrossed the nation,” said Masich. “Of course, during World War II, this was the arsenal of democracy.
“It’s where Rosie the Riveter, 50,000 women, went into the workforce and kept those mills going 24/7. Pittsburgh produced more steel than all the Axis powers put together. There are so many great stories of heroism and innovation and resilience.”
America 250 Fourth of July events in Pittsburgh
History After Hours
On June 25, The Strip District’s John Heinz History Center will host a special “History After Hours: America’s 250th” program that will offer cocktails, vintage shopping, crafts, American history trivia, interactive experiences and more.
America250PA’s Commonwealth Concert Series
On June 27, rapper Nelly, ‘90s alt-pop-rock band Third Eye Blind and Pittsburgh rapper Frzy will perform a sold-out show at Point State Park. The performance, part of a series of shows across the state that will feature acts like The Fray, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Cole Swindell, will also feature a drone show utilizing 200 drones.
Andy Warhol Bridge 100th Birthday Bash
On June 27, Allegheny County will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Andy Warhol Bridge with a free-to-enter afternoon of music, food, games and art-themed activities beginning from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More details will be released in the coming weeks.
Market Square programming
The newly revitalized Market Square will play host to programming, including special America 250-themed editions of Paint and Sip on June 30; Wind Down Wednesday on July 1; Farmers Market and strawberry Jell-O pretzel salad eating competition on July 2; and mini golf from July 3-5.
The area will play hosts to 11 lunch and happy hour concerts through the lead-up week with acts like Zen Strings, Moonshine Vagabonds, Eagle Burger and the River City Brass Band.
Sojourn 250
In another prong of Pittsburgh’s teaming up with the National Flag Foundation, from July 1 to July 4, the National Flag Foundation’s Sojourn 250 program will bring in an American flag that has been flown in every state, at 23 American military cemeteries in 10 countries and at the Super Bowl, as well as a Pennsylvania flag that has flown in each county.
They can be seen moving around 13 sites in the city and Western Pennsylvania before making for Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., with an escort of hundreds of motorcycles on July 4. Once in D.C., it will appear at a Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals baseball game and then end its journey at the U.S. Capitol.
Ferris Wheel
A 90-foot Salute to Service Ferris Wheel offering views of the Pittsburgh skyline and The Three Rivers will be present on Art Rooney Avenue, with 50% of ticket sales benefitting Veterans Leadership Program, a nonprofit that helps veterans navigate life at home.
Mayor O’Connor said the wheel is “to get us ready for the new development of a full-time Ferris wheel.”
Pittsburgh Symphony concerts
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform a series of free concerts, including those at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall with the National Flag Foundation on July 2 at 7 p.m.; at South Park on July 3 at 8:15 p.m.; at Arts Landing with Inez and the Hip-Hop Orchestra on July 4 at 4 p.m. and at Hartwood Acres with a synchronized drone show on July 5 at 7:15 p.m.
Sing 250 Choral Series Concert
The Bach Choir of Pittsburgh will perform with the South Hills Chorale at the O’Reilly Theater in the Cultural District.
Fourth of July at Arts Landing
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Guardians of Sound Hip Hop Orchestra featuring INEZ will perform on the Dollar Bank Stage at 4 p.m.
Fourth at the Fort
Costumed re-enactors, local veterans, scouts and elected officials will ceremoniously raise a 36-foot American flag as part of a free patriotic ceremony at the Fort Pitt Block House beginning at 11 a.m. July 4. The day will also feature booming cannon firings, martial music, living history demonstrations and hands-on family activities at Point State Park.
For more information, visit pittsburghpa.gov.