Cayuga County residents will be able to celebrate the nation's 232nd birthday in style this Fourth of July with a symphony orchestra, fireworks, parades and a music festival.
The Independence Day festivities will start off with the Mile Long Parade in Fair Haven and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and fireworks show in Auburn.
Gus Taft, a member of Fair Haven's Save Our Fourth of July Association, said Fair Haven would start off its three-day celebration with a parade featuring political candidates, fire engines, bands, antique tractors, classic cars and much more.
“It's an old-fashioned touch of Americana,” Taft said. “We always have a theme too. This year's theme is ‘A Village for all Seasons' ... Fair Haven has typically been a summer resort but it has evolved over the years. Ice fishing, skiing, snowmobiling and hunting bring people here throughout the year.”
Anyone who wanted to see how the theme would be incorporated into the parade's floats would have to join the thousands of other spectators, Taft said.
As the parade begins its march through Fair Haven, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra will welcome visitors into Emerson Park with classic patriotic music followed by the launching of 973 fireworks.
Gary Duckett, director of Cayuga County's parks and trails, said more than 8,000 people would be expected to attend as long as the weather held up.
“People should come with the idea to enjoy a symphony followed by a fireworks show while they just eat a picnic and relax,” Duckett said. “People are really getting a deal for $5 a car. It costs 10 times that amount per person in Syracuse for the symphony, and we have the beautiful display, which will be going on over the lake.”
Because of the high attendance, people are recommended to arrive early and to be prepared for a slow drive out of the park.
“It will be very congested with several thousand people all trying to leave at once,” Duckett said. “Sometimes people can get impatient, so come with the expectation that you will be here for a little while and enjoy your evening.”
Marilyn Baader, with the Village of Cayuga, said they would have a Celebrate Independence Weekend event at Harris Park.
The event would feature Bob Piorun's three-piece ensemble playing jazz, rock and pop music. The park setting will give guests the opportunity to host a cookout while they enjoy the local scenery.
“As we like to say, bring your chair and watch as the sun sets on the lake,” Baader said.
The final day of Fair Haven's Independence Day celebration will have the wall of fire followed by a fireworks extravaganza.
Pete Hanford, a member of SOFA, said the owners of the lakefront property around the bay will set up red flares to alert people that it's almost time to start the show.
“Then we will start the show, which lasts about 25 minutes,” Hanford said. “It's a $9,000 show. They just keep shooting them up every three seconds. There are thousands of them; there's just no pause in it.”
Because the fireworks will be launched from an island at the southern end of the bay, people can find the best seats anywhere near the water. All they have to do is sit back and enjoy the show, Hanford said.
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
If you go
What: Independence Day weekend
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 5
Where: The gazebo in Harris Park, Cayuga
Cost: Free
What: Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Fire Works
When: Symphony starts at 8 p.m. and fireworks will start at roughly 10 tonight
Where: Emerson Park, Auburn
Cost: $5 per car
What: Fair Haven Fourth of July
When: Today through Saturday, July 5
Where: Fair Haven
Cost: Free
Info: Visit http://www.fairhaven-ny.com
Gus Taft, a member of Fair Haven's Save Our Fourth of July Association, said Fair Haven would start off its three-day celebration with a parade featuring political candidates, fire engines, bands, antique tractors, classic cars and much more.
“It's an old-fashioned touch of Americana,” Taft said. “We always have a theme too. This year's theme is ‘A Village for all Seasons' ... Fair Haven has typically been a summer resort but it has evolved over the years. Ice fishing, skiing, snowmobiling and hunting bring people here throughout the year.”
Anyone who wanted to see how the theme would be incorporated into the parade's floats would have to join the thousands of other spectators, Taft said.
As the parade begins its march through Fair Haven, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra will welcome visitors into Emerson Park with classic patriotic music followed by the launching of 973 fireworks.
Gary Duckett, director of Cayuga County's parks and trails, said more than 8,000 people would be expected to attend as long as the weather held up.
“People should come with the idea to enjoy a symphony followed by a fireworks show while they just eat a picnic and relax,” Duckett said. “People are really getting a deal for $5 a car. It costs 10 times that amount per person in Syracuse for the symphony, and we have the beautiful display, which will be going on over the lake.”
Because of the high attendance, people are recommended to arrive early and to be prepared for a slow drive out of the park.
“It will be very congested with several thousand people all trying to leave at once,” Duckett said. “Sometimes people can get impatient, so come with the expectation that you will be here for a little while and enjoy your evening.”
Marilyn Baader, with the Village of Cayuga, said they would have a Celebrate Independence Weekend event at Harris Park.
The event would feature Bob Piorun's three-piece ensemble playing jazz, rock and pop music. The park setting will give guests the opportunity to host a cookout while they enjoy the local scenery.
“As we like to say, bring your chair and watch as the sun sets on the lake,” Baader said.
The final day of Fair Haven's Independence Day celebration will have the wall of fire followed by a fireworks extravaganza.
Pete Hanford, a member of SOFA, said the owners of the lakefront property around the bay will set up red flares to alert people that it's almost time to start the show.
“Then we will start the show, which lasts about 25 minutes,” Hanford said. “It's a $9,000 show. They just keep shooting them up every three seconds. There are thousands of them; there's just no pause in it.”
Because the fireworks will be launched from an island at the southern end of the bay, people can find the best seats anywhere near the water. All they have to do is sit back and enjoy the show, Hanford said.
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
If you go
What: Independence Day weekend
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 5
Where: The gazebo in Harris Park, Cayuga
Cost: Free
What: Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Fire Works
When: Symphony starts at 8 p.m. and fireworks will start at roughly 10 tonight
Where: Emerson Park, Auburn
Cost: $5 per car
What: Fair Haven Fourth of July
When: Today through Saturday, July 5
Where: Fair Haven
Cost: Free
Info: Visit http://www.fairhaven-ny.com
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