Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to attend?

There is no cost to enjoy the day’s entertainment and spectacular fireworks display. We do request a donation of $8 per car for general parking. (For the most breathtaking fireworks experience, we offer VIP Viewing packages at affordable prices.) The event is run completely by volunteers of a non-profit organization. To cover our costs and make the event happen we encourage business and individuals to help with financial donations and volunteer to help.

What time do the activities start?

The Firecracker 4K Run starts at 9:00 AM. The SPIKES baseball game ($) begins at 1:00 P.M. Children’s Activities and vendors start at 4:00 PM and last until the fireworks are almost ready to begin with bands and entertainment on the two stages. The Giant Flag Birthday Cake will be served at 6:00 PM. The Bank of America Family Playground ($) opens at 4:00 PM in the Bryce Jordan Center.

What kind of family activities will be available before the fireworks begin?

Our event is family oriented by design. Please check the schedule section for details about the many activities, crafts, food vendors and entertainers who will be available through out the course of the event. From indoor activities in the Bryce Jordon Center to the outdoor party of tents, booths, entertainment stages and children’s activities you will surely find fun things for the whole family to enjoy. Since we are celebrating our nation’s birthday you can expect to find a giant birthday cake, thousands of hotdogs and many smiling faces. Look for a special activity for children 12 and under at Medlar field from 6-8 PM. ”Sports and Games” with Penn State Athletes will allow children to participate and interact with Penn State athletes and coaches followed by old fashioned kids games. Bring a pair of sneakers and join in the fun.

Where can I park and what time will the lots open?

Is there a charge to park?

We do request a donation of $8 per car for general admission parking. The event is run completely by volunteers of a non-profit organization. To cover our costs and make the event happen we encourage business and individuals to make donations if possible and/or get involved.

What is VIP viewing and parking?

For the most breathtaking fireworks experience, we offer VIP Viewing packages at affordable prices. These passes can be purchased in advance at the BJC ticket office. VIP viewing tickets (up close, heart pounding viewing area with a concert sound system) and VIP parking passes (preferred close in parking) can also be purchased the day of the event at the Bryce Jordan Center’s ticket office from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Individual VIP viewing tickets ($25) and parking passes ($20) will be available for sale. A special 2x2 package of two VIP viewing and one VIP parking will be available for $65. A 4x4 package of four VIP viewing tickets and one VIP parking pass will be on sale for $100. Children 4 and under do not need a VIP Viewing pass if accompanied by a paying adult.

Where exactly is the 4thFest held?

The 4thFest is located on the campus of Penn State University. Specifically the activities and fireworks are held in the vicinity of Beaver Stadium, the Bryce Jordan Center and Medlar Field. You can use the address of 127 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, 16802 if using an internet map search.

Where is the Information and Merchandising Booths?

Both the Information and Merchandising Booths are located near the center of the Celebrations party area in upper VIP B (parking lot 44) close to Curtin Road. Lost and Found articles will also be brought to the Information Booth on the 4th.

Where is the VIP Viewing area?

The VIP Viewing Area is located in a grassy area east of the Centre County Convention & Visitors Bureau just above Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. This area which typically holds over 4,000 people will provide an up close, head on viewing of the center of the fireworks show. This is perfect unobstructed viewing for the entire fireworks show including the ground and special effects. People who are not in the VIP area will miss much of the ground and special effects as they are designed for the close in audience. In June 2007 we introduced a concert quality sound system to play the music that drives the choreographed fireworks show.

Where are the VIP Parking Lots?

VIP A (Stadium West) is the grass and paved areas west and north adjacent to Beaver Stadium. Enter via Park Avenue.

VIP B is the BJC lot 44. Enter via University Drive and travel behind the BJC on the service road. (Note: Porter Road access will be closed)

VIP C is lot 23 behind the Visitors Center. Enter via Park Avenue across from the Ag Arena.

VIP D is the baseball parking lot adjacent to the ballpark.

Where are the Corporate “Tailgate” Media tents?

They're located on the corner of University and Curtin, across from the Bryce Jordan Center.

I have a question, who can I contact?

Email your question to 4thfest@comcast.net or you may call our executive director, Bernie Keisling at 814-404-8777. Our board members are also excellent sources of information.

How many attend the event?

This daylong event attracts 50,000 - 70,000 people to the Penn State Campus while thousands more view the display from remote locations and back yards throughout the region.

How many fireworks shells do you shoot?

Close to 11,000 shells are shot during the 45-minute show. The grand finale features over 49 shells a second. The 4th Fest is the largest all volunteer fireworks display in the nation.

How long is the fireworks display?

This year’s fireworks display is scheduled to last about 45 minutes but the memories will last a lifetime.

How much does it cost to operate the 4thFest?

Fireworks are a major expense but the $200,000+ budget also covers advertising, equipment, insurance, operations, security/safety and site costs. If we didn't have the great community spirit of business contributions and nearly 11,000 volunteer hours the cost would be much, much more.

How much time does it take to put the event together?

Our 570+ volunteers spend nearly 11,000 MAN-HOURS planning, developing and executing the event. Committees work year round on fund raising, building equipment, choosing entertainment, developing an operational plan, promoting the event and choreographing the show.

Who puts on the event?

The volunteers from the Central Pa 4th Fest. organization. They are your friends, colleagues and neighbors. The all-volunteer Board of Directors and many all-volunteer committees organize the event. The entire community contributes the funding necessary to make the event possible. These dedicated people work year round to make the event a success. We always need volunteers to help with all phases of event planning and day of event management. Please consider volunteering your skills and time. This is a fun team to be associated with.

How long have there been choreographed fireworks in State College?

Choreographed fireworks have been done since 1994. Over the years the event has become a regional one, and has gained recognition on a national scale. The Wall Street Journal ranked the State College show as one of the Ten Largest Displays in the United States in 1999. The Travel Channel and Discovery.com ranked the show #4 In The World in 2000!

Will I be able to view the fireworks from the new ballpark?

The ballpark will offer limited sight viewing of the 2008 fireworks show. People who view the fireworks from within the ballpark will probably miss the ground and special effects which make up approximately 35% of the show. The better viewing will be from home plate to right field as the rest of the stadium will have an obstructed sight line. Unfortunately the scoreboard and other obstructions could still interfere with some of the fireworks viewing.

What about 4thFest merchandise for 2008?

We will have a limited number of 4thFest blinking pins at our merchandising areas. The pin has the 4thFest logo and 5 LED blinking lights. It is battery operated and has a pin clasp for attachment to clothing. Both children and adults will love the colorful pin and eye-catching blinking lights. The pins will be available for $4 each, 2 for $7 and $3 for $10.

Also offered will be a limited number of 4thFest logo T-shirts (men, women and children), hats and runner polar cups.

Is anything special planned to support the “Rally Around the Flag” theme?

Many of the days activities will take advantage of the special theme. Some examples are a static display of current military equipment like helicopters and land vehicles, the 14’ American Flag birthday cake the children’s area will promote the flag theme with craft activities and we have a special retreat ceremony planned for the beginning of the fireworks show with a special tribute to the flag. There will also be a collection point at the Information Booth to turn in worn and tattered American flags. A local Boy Scout troop will conduct a flag retirement ceremony at a later date to properly dispose of the flags with dignity and respect.

What about “Lost and Found” items?

With the number of people who attend the 4thFest a few items manage to get lost or found. You can drop off lost and found items at the Information booth on the 4th. You can also check for lost and found items at the Pyrotechnics trailer parked behind Medlar Field on July 5 and 6th until 6 PM. You can inquire about items by calling the 4thFest Pyrotechnics field office at 814-441-3944 until July 6th at 6:00PM. After July 6th at 6:00PM all lost and found items will be turned over to The Penn State Police Office on the ground level of the Eisenhower Parking deck. You can reach this communication office by calling 814-863-1111. Standard Penn State lost & found policy will apply.

Can I make a donation?

The Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that depends on the financial support of companies and individuals in the Centre Region. Monies received are used to offset the costs of fireworks, celebration events, insurances, permits, security/safety and other costs associated with the celebration.

This year we offer PayPal as a convenient way to make a donation. Please consider giving $10, $25, $50 or more. All donations are tax deductible.

Send your donation to:
Central Pennsylvania July 4th, Inc.
PO Box 11122
State College, PA 16805-1122

Or simply look for the donation envelopes inserted into the Centre Daily Times the day after the event. Donations from general admission parking and individual ticket sales for the VIP parking and VIP seating area accounted for about 15% of the income last year. Please also help by purchasing souvenir items such as our 2008 Blinky Pin and 4thFest wearables, Pepsi products, or making a donation in any of the donation barrels at the event.

Can I personally help out?

Yes. With an all- volunteer staff there are many tasks and jobs for anyone individually or groups. We encourage church groups, Boy or Girl Scout troops or any civic organization to participate and help out with one of the largest all-volunteer 4th of July celebrations in the country.