Fireworks aplenty set for Fourth of July

HUNTINGTON -- No matter where you live in the Tri-State, a fireworks show to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday will not be far away.

At least two communities will be lighting up the sky tonight, including Coal Grove, Ohio, and Buckhannon, W.Va. The rest of the fireworks shows are Friday night.

Locally, area residents have got a choice between Pullman Square, Camden Park, Harris Riverfront Park and Barboursville Park. But there also will fireworks shows in Point Pleasant, Hurricane, Charleston and two shows in Lincoln County.

Angie Fletcher, director of promotions for Kindred Communications, said the Fourth of July this year should be one of the best. This year, she said, Kindred has teamed up with the Huntington Symphony Orchestra, with events at both Pullman Square and Harris Riverfront Park.

It all culminates with what should be one of the largest fireworks displays in Huntington.

"It was 35 minutes last year, and we've doubled the amount (of money spent)," Fletcher said. "It will light up the sky."

The Dawg Dazzle, part of the Heiner's Summer Concert Series, has become an annual Fourth of July celebration. The fun begins with a live broadcast on "The DAWG" 93.7 at 5 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. the festivities swing into full gear with the Dawg's Island Jamboree featuring music from Katie Owens, Bridget Reynolds, Shawn Cabell as well as the finalists in the Tri-State Idol competition. The Steel Drum Band will take the stage at 7 p.m. and will be followed at approximately 8:30 p.m. by the Carib Sounds. That will be followed by a big fireworks display around 9:45 p.m.

For folks spending their evening with the Huntington Symphony Orchestra at Harris Riverfront Park, this Picnic with the POPS event is Red, White & Bluegrass. The doors open at 5 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m.

Regardless of where or how many fireworks displays you choose to watch, the weather could be a factor. Forecasters with the National Weather Service are predicting that rain could dampen those displays both Thursday and Friday nights.

Tonight's forecast includes a 40 percent chance of showers thunderstorms with winds between 4 to 7 miles per hour. Thursday's low will be around 64 degrees.

Rain is likely on Independence Day. As there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. The daytime high will be near 83 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast throughout Friday night. The temperature will dip to around 62 degrees.

For those planning to celebrate by watching fireworks, here is a listing of shows throughout the region:

Today, July 3

COAL GROVE: Coal Grove Betterment Club "Family Fun Days," Tuesday-Thursday, July 1-3. Featuring free live entertainment and fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 3. Paul Porter Park, Coal Grove.

BUCKHANNON: 4th of July Celebration, gates open at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 3. Featuring live entertainment by Rockin Country Boys, a children's parade led by clowns Fuzzy and Stubbles and fireworks go off at sundown. Located at the football stadium. Questions, call the Chamber office, 304-472-1722. Buckhannon-Upshur High School, 50 B.U. Drive, Buckhannon.

Friday, July 4

CAMDEN PARK: 4th of July Weekend at Camden Park, Friday-Sunday, July 4-6. Join us for a West Virginia homecoming tradition over 100 years in the making. Live entertainment each day with fireworks at 10 p.m. on the 4th. Camden Park, U.S. 60 East, Huntington.

SNOWSHOE: 4th of July Bluegrass Festival, Thursday-Saturday, July 3-5. Featuring The Dell McCoury Band, Larry Cordle, Larry Keel and others, and a mountaintop fireworks show at 10 p.m. Friday. Tickets, call 877-441-4FUN, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster locations. Snowshoe Mountain Resort, 10 Snowshoe Drive, Snowshoe.

PRICHARD: 4th of July Celebration, begins at 5 p.m. Friday, July 4. Featuring food, fun and fireworks at dusk. Prichard Volunteer Fire Department, 4900 Smith St., Prichard.

PORTSMOUTH: First Portsmouth Rock Festival, Friday, July 4. Featuring music group Mighty Fine at 7 p.m., storytelling with Mark Twain at 8 p.m., and the Civic Forum's 73rd fireworks display at 10 p.m. Downtown Portsmouth.

GREENBO: 4th of July Celebration, Friday, July 4. Featuring bluegrass music by New Time from 6:30-9:50 p.m. at Greenbo Lake Amphitheatre and fireworks at 10 p.m. at the beach area. Questions, call 606-473-7324 or visit www.parks.ky.gov. Greenbo Lake State Park, 965 Lodge Road, Greenup.

PULLMAN SQUARE: Heiner's Summer Concert Series: "Dawg Dazzle," 7 p.m. Friday, July 4. The annual 4th of July Celebration featuring the Dawg's Island Jamboree with Katie Owens, Bridget Reynolds and Shawn Cabell and the top five finalists from The Herald-Dispatch and 93.7 The Dawg's "Tri-State Idol" contest finalists, 5:30 p.m.; The Steel Drum Band, 7 p.m.; Carib Sounds, 8:30 p.m.; and Huntington's largest fireworks display, 9:45 p.m. Presented by 93.7 "The DAWG" with a live broadcast at 3 p.m. Pullman Square, Third Avenue, Huntington.

HARRIS RIVERFRONT PARK: Picnic with the POPS: Red, White & Bluegrass, doors open at 5 p.m. Friday, July 4. Concert begins at 8 p.m. The 4th annual Dawg Dazzle featuring The Joe Freeman Bluegrass Band and a large fireworks display. Visit www.huntingtonsymphony.org. Harris Riverfront Park, Veterans Memorial Blvd. Huntington.

HURRICANE: Hurricane's July 4th Celebration, 9:45 p.m. Friday, July 4. Fireworks at Valley Park. Questions, call 304-562-5896. Downtown Hurricane.

LINCOLN: Lincoln County Celebrating Independence Weekend, Friday-Sunday, July 4-6. A long weekend of fun and festivities featuring live entertainment, gospel music groups and more. The fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Friday. Questions or to register for a space, call 304-824-5161. Lincoln County Memorial Fairgrounds, Route 3 at Trace Creek Road, East of Hamlin. Free; $5 for motorsports events.

HAMLIN: Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration, Friday, July 4. Featuring Traci Ann Stanley, Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, gospel, country and bluegrass groups from noon-9 p.m., and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Questions, call Town Hall, 304-824-5500. Hamlin Lions Club Field, Route 3, Hamlin. Free admission.

BARBOURSVILLE COMMUNITY PARK: Celebrate Independence Day, concerts from 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. Concerts in the amphitheater and fireworks at 10 p.m. Questions, call 304-736-8994. Barboursville Community Park.

ASHTON: 4th of July Celebration, 1 p.m. Friday, July 4. Featuring food, music and activities all day. Fireworks at dark. River's Edge Campground, along WV 2 Huntington Road, Ashton.

RIVERFRONT PARK: Summer Motion, Friday-Saturday, July 4-5. Featuring Kansas, Marty Stuart and Tracy Lawrence. Opening acts include Ventures, Sarah Johns and Lady Antebellum. The Diamonds will perform at Ashland's Central Park. Fireworks will be let off at dusk on Friday. Riverfront Park, 15th Street, Ashland.

POINT PLEASANT: 4th of July Fireworks, 10 p.m. Friday, July 4. Part of the Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta. Questions, visit www.pointpleasantregatta.org. Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, junction of Ohio and Kanawha River, Point Pleasant.

CHARLESTON: Fireworks follow free West Virginia Symphony Independence Day Concert, music beginning at 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, at Haddad Riverfront Park, 700 Kanawha Blvd. Concert features Broadway tunes sung by 2008 West Virginia Symphony Idol Ryan Hardiman of Milton, as well as a salute to veterans and favorite movie music by John Williams, performed by the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Questions, visit www.wvsymphony.org.