Fireworks over New Stanton returning for 2nd year
May 25—Fireworks over New Stanton is returning after the event was first implemented as a way to boost moral during the covid-19 pandemic.
This year's event, scheduled for Saturday, is a way to welcome summer while also celebrating what borough leaders hope is the start to the end of the pandemic.
"Last year council wanted to give the community a pick-me-up because the pandemic had just begun and there was a lot of unknowns," council President Ray Strosko said in a news release. "This year, we would really like to celebrate what we hope is the light at the end of the tunnel regarding the pandemic and at the same time welcome summer."
The show will be put on by Schaefer Fireworks, a Lancaster County-based company, with the help of the New Stanton Fire Department. The display will be shot off from the east end of the business district, the same location that was used during last year's event when residents were encouraged to watch from their homes.
New Stanton's fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday.
Last year's event came as covid-related restrictions like social distancing and capacity limits were largely in place causing several major events to be canceled including Latrobe's annual fireworks show, the Kecksburg UFO Festival and the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival.
New Stanton, in the wake of those cancellations, decided to host their fireworks show as a way to boost community morale while thanking residents for their sacrifices.
This year, several covid restrictions have been eased and will largely be eliminated on Memorial Day as residents across the state continue to get vaccinated.
So far this year, several events around the community are seemingly being hosted — although changes have been made to curb the spread of the virus — including Hempfield's summer concert series and Greensburg's Summer Sounds, which could return in late summer.
Megan Tomasic is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 724-850-1203, mtomasic@triblive.com or via Twitter .
