The 2015 Lititz Fourth of July celebration carried the theme “Red, White and Cool,” with a nod to the 1950s woven through the day’s music, displays and dancing. Weather forced one change on the morning of the holiday: the gates to Lititz Springs Park, originally set to open at noon, were pushed back to 1:30 p.m. All other events were planned to go ahead as scheduled.
The day’s emcee was a host from WJTL 90.3-FM. Here is a rundown of the program as it stood on July 4, 2015.
All-day attractions
Several venues ran throughout the afternoon and evening. A food court and food trucks, sponsored by Appalachian Brewing Company and Penn Cinema, set up in the inner parking lot. Classic 1950s cars were displayed near the Oehme Gazebo, and local businesses had displays in a tent near the Round House.
From 1:30 to 4 p.m., historical artifacts from the 1950s were on view at the Beck Memorial Band Shell. Children’s games ran from 1:30 to 6 p.m. in the KidsZone, sponsored by Grace Church.
Afternoon program
- 1:30 to 2 p.m.: Panning for gold along Lititz Run with a costumed portrayal of Gen. John A. Sutter, the California Gold Rush figure who spent his final years in Lititz, sponsored by the Lititz Women of Today.
- 1:45 to 2:15 p.m.: Vanden the Great performs magic at the Fun101.3/92.7 ESPN Pavilion.
- 2 to 3 p.m.: Children’s storytelling at the Burkholder Pavilion.
- 2 to 4 p.m.: The Mama Tried Band plays for American Bandstand-style dancing at the Oehme Pavilion, with a guest appearance by Johnny Johns, a 1950s recording artist with Buena Vista Records.
- 2 to 7 p.m.: The Insanity Factor offers balloon sculpture and magic shows, and Vanden the Great juggles, throughout the park.
- 2:25 to 2:55 p.m.: Pulse Dance Studio presents “What a Feeling!” at the Fun101.3/92.7 ESPN Pavilion.
- 3 to 3:50 p.m.: Baby Parade registration at the Lititz Caboose, coordinated by the Lititz Women of Today.
- 3:05 to 4:05 p.m.: Naturalist Jack Hubley presents “Feathered Hunters: Hawks and Owls” at the Fun101.3/92.7 ESPN Pavilion.
Baby Parade and patriotic salute
From 4 to 4:45 p.m., the 26th Annual Baby Parade made its way from the Wall of Remembrance to the KidsZone, ending at the Oehme Gazebo. The parade was sponsored by the Heart of Lancaster and coordinated by the Lititz Women of Today.
Pulse Dance Studio returned for a second “What a Feeling!” performance from 4:30 to 5 p.m. At the Beck Memorial Band Shell, a “Patriotic and 1950’s Salute,” sponsored by Ephrata National Bank, opened with the National Anthem at 4:50 p.m., followed by a “Fourth of July Salute” from Lititz Mayor Tim Snyder and the German Regiment.
Evening program
- 5 to 6 p.m.: The Lititz Community Band in concert.
- 6:15 to 7 p.m.: The Mama Tried Band returns.
- 7:15 to 7:50 p.m.: Chris Poje performs 1950s doo-wop.
- 8 to 8:25 p.m.: Pulse Dance Studio presents “Groovin’ Through the 50’s!”
- 8:30 to 9 p.m.: The 74th Queen of the Candles Pageant at the Beck Memorial Band Shell, sponsored by the Lititz Woman’s Club.
- 8:45 p.m.: The 172nd Grand Illumination of Candles along Lititz Run, sponsored by Listrak.
- 9:15 p.m.: A DJ entertains at the Manheim Auto Auction field and stage.
The finale
At 9:45 p.m., the night closed with a Pyrotechnics Extravaganza: fireworks synchronized to music by Celebration Fireworks and CLAIR Global. The show was sponsored in part by Blue Ridge Communications, CLAIR Global, Manheim Auto Auction and Susquehanna Bank.
A tradition like no other
The candle illumination is the heart of the Lititz Fourth. Thousands of candles are set into wooden frames along the stream, and their glow on the water has drawn visitors for more than 170 years. Paired with the Queen of the Candles pageant and the fireworks, it gives Lititz an Independence Day unlike any other in the region.
Even with a delayed opening, the 2015 schedule offered a full day of music, history and family fun. Visitors were advised to bring blankets and ponchos, check for any last-minute changes, and settle in for a celebration that has been a point of pride in Lititz for generations.