Frequently Asked Questions

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Attending 4thFest

• Is there a cost to attend?
• What should I bring?
• What should you leave at home?
• What time do the activities start?
• What kind of family activities will be available before the fireworks begin?
• How many attend the event?
• Is anything special planned to support the "Star Spangled Spectacular" theme?
• Will I need to purchase a ticket for my small child if we wish to sit in the VIP Viewing area?
• Where can I find an ATM during the 4thFest?

Where can I park and VIP Viewing

• Where can I park and what time will the lots open?
• Is there a charge to park?
• What is VIP viewing and parking?

Location of Events

• Where exactly is the 4thFest held?
• Where is the Information and Merchandising Booths?
• Where is the VIP Viewing area?
• Where are the Corporate “Tailgate” Media tents?

About the Fireworks

• How many fireworks shells to you shoot?
• How long is the fireworks display?
• When did the choreographed fireworks begin in State College?
• Will I be able to view the fireworks from the baseball park?
• What happens with inclement weather?

General Questions

• I have a question, who can I contact?
• How much time does it take to put the show together?
• Who organizes the 4thFest?
• Will you have 4thFest merchandise available for purchase?
• What about “Lost and Found” items?

Supporting the Event

• How mush does it cost to operate the 4thFest?
• How can I make a $ contribution?
• Can I volunteer to help out?

Attending 4thFest

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 $10 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 the 550 volunteers of a non-profit organization. To cover our costs and allow the event to happen, we encourage business and individuals to help with financial donations and volunteers.

What should I bring?

• Your smiles of appreciation for all the volunteers that work hard all year to organize this family community event.
• A loud radio to broadcast the music to the choreography for every one to hear (a sound system is provided in the VIP viewing area).
• Lawn chair or blanket since there are no bleachers.
• Flashlights and maybe rain gear on an inclement evening.
• A trash bag to help keep the area clean.
• Your friends and family.
• Patience when driving to and from the event.

What should you leave at home?

• Fireworks, sparklers and glass containers that will harm the animals that normally graze in the parking fields. Everyone should be especially sensitive to leaving these injurious materials behind.
• Charcoal grills.
• Alcohol since this is a family centered event.

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.
• Some entertainment, the carnival and vendors will begin at 2:00 P.M.
• The main activities will all be operating by 4PM and last until the fireworks are almost ready to begin.
• Many concessions will remain open after the fireworks to coincide with the street dance.
• The Giant Flag Birthday Cake will be served at 6:00 PM.
• Please see the event schedule for more details.

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 the Spikes baseball game ($), to the carnival midway in stadium west, 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.

How many attend the event?

This daylong event attracts 60,000 - 80,000 people to the Penn State Campus while thousands more view the fireworks display from remote locations and back yards throughout the region.

Is anything special planned to support the "Star Spangled Spectacular" theme?

Many of the days activities will take advantage of the special theme. Some examples are a static display of current military equipment such as FMTV troop transport, Humvee and Atlas vehicles. If the weather conditions are ideal, we have a very special surprise attraction scheduled for the early evening hour. We will promote this attraction as we get closer to the 4th. We will have a GIANT 14' American Flag birthday cake and the children's area will promote the flag theme with craft activities. 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.

Will I need to purchase a ticket for my small child if we wish to sit in the VIP Viewing area?

Children 4 and under accompanied by an adult with a VIP Viewing pass may enter the Viewing area for free. Please be aware that because of the closer proximity to the fireworks that ear protection is recommended to be provided for infants and very young children.

Where can I find an ATM during the 4thFest?

ATMs can be found in the lobby of the Visitor's Center until 6:00 PM, inside gate B of the Bryce Jordan Center until 9:00 PM, at Off The Rack Outfitters/Medlar Field and throughout the event at the carnival midway area.

Parking and VIP Viewing

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

General Parking

General parking opens at 9am. Early bird parking (in lot 43 and 83 off University Drive) opens at 8:00am. A $10.00 per car donation is requested. Cars will be directed to lots at the discretion of police as determined by traffic conditions.

VIP Parking

A 2010 VIP hanging parking pass must be presented at the entrance of the VIP Parking areas. The tag must remain displayed in your car at all times.

VIP parking spaces are guaranteed to be available only until 8:00pm on the day of the event. Anyone arriving after 8:00pm may not be given access to a preferred VIP parking space although you can park in any available lot.

VIP A, C and E open at 8am. VIP A and VIP C will have access from Park Ave, VIP E from Porter Road.

VIP B and D will be available for 4thFest VIP parking at 1:15 PM. VIP B must be accessed through service road, located behind Bryce Jordan Center, extending off of University Drive (see map). The entrance to VIP D is off Porter Rd.

VIP Parking passes can be purchased in advance at the BJC ticket office beginning May 17th. Please check www.bjc.psu.edu/tickets for window and telephone hours. The BJC main ticket office will be open from 4:30-6:30pm on the 4th.

VIP Parking passes can also be purchased for $20 on the 4th of July from the VIP parking lot volunteers.

Handicapped Access

VIP Handicapped Parking ($20.00)
Please note that the special VIP C Handicapped Parking area requires both a VIP Parking Pass and appropriate handicapped vehicle tags or handicapped hanging placard. This special viewing area can accommodate 150 cars and will be on a first come first serve basis. This parking area is on slightly uneven ground and is grass covered. This provides up close viewing of the fireworks from or near your vehicle. While the VIP C handicapped parking area provides superior viewing of the fireworks please be aware that this lot can take some time to empty after the fireworks are over.

General Handicapped Parking ($10.00)
General handicapped parking will open at 9:30am in upper VIP B (lot 44). From 9:30am until 1pm access will be from Porter Road. After 1PM access must be accessed through the service road, located behind Bryce Jordan Center, extending off of University Drive (see map).

Please note: No RV's or campers will be allowed to park in the handicapped areas.

RV Parking

Motor Homes, Campers, and Oversized Vehicles ($30.00) over 15 feet in length
All motor homes, campers, and oversized vehicles will be directed to park in VIP A (stadium west), located on the paved lot next to Beaver Stadium. Please note that an additional $10 will be requested at the lot entrance for oversized vehicle parking in addition to a regular VIP Parking Pass ($20). A $30 RV pass can be purchased in advance at the BJC ticket office or at the parking lot entrance on July 4th. Penn State General Regulations on use of University Property can be found at guru.psu.edu/policies/AD57.html.

Lot Opening Times

Is there a charge to park?

We do request a donation of $10 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. VIP passes can be purchased by the general public beginning May 17th at the Bryce Jordan Center 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 ticket booth from 4:30 PM until 6:30 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 can be purchased 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

Location of Events

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. Please visit our directions page for additional information.

Where is the Information and Merchandising Tent?

Both the Information and Merchandising Tent is located near the center of the Celebrations party area in the Towne Square area near 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 6,000 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 to be set off and remain lighted close to the ground. In July 2007 we introduced a concert quality sound system to the VIP area to compliment the choreographed fireworks show.

Where are the Corporate “Tailgate” Media tents?

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

About the Fireworks

How many fireworks shells do you shoot?

We anticipate up to 15,750 shells will be fired during the 45-minute show. The grand finale usually features about 50 shells a second. This year the finale promises to be even more spectacular with a heart pounding ??? shells per 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.

When did the choreographed fireworks begin in State College?

Choreographed fireworks have been done in State College 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! The international fireworks website www.fireworksguide.com currently ranks the 4thFest as the 3rd best 4th of July fireworks in the US.

Will I be able to view the fireworks from Medlar Field?

The ballpark will offer limited sight viewing of the 2010 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, due to the terrain, the scoreboard and other obstructions could still interfere with some of the fireworks viewing.

What will happen with inclement weather?

Our intention will be to shoot the fireworks even in inclement weather. We have successfully shot the fireworks in mild to heavy rain downpours over the years. With the audience in attendance and the fireworks field prepared to go we will do everything within our control to enjoy the spectacular fireworks on the 4th of July. Should we incur heavy lightening or strong winds we may have to delay the show temporarily until the weather passes.

General Questions

I have a question, who can I contact?

Please email your question to 4thfest@comcast.net, or call Executive Director, Bernie Keisling at (814)404-8777. Our board members are also excellent sources of information.

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

Our 550 volunteers spend nearly 13,000 MAN-HOURS planning, developing and executing the event. Committees work year round on fund raising, building fireworks set pieces, choosing entertainment, developing an operational plan, promoting the event and choreographing the fireworks show.

Who organizes the event?

The volunteers of the Central Pa 4th Fest. The volunteers are your friends, colleagues and neighbors who make up the Board of Directors and the many committees that organize the event. The entire community as well as those who attend on the 4th contribute 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.

Will you have 4thFest merchandise available for purchase?

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

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 take lost and found items to 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.

Supporting the Event

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 13,000 volunteer hours the cost would be much, much more.

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.

Donations by Credit Card:

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

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

Donations insert in the Centre Daily Times:
Local residents and subscribers can simply look for donation envelopes inserted into the Centre Daily Times on July 5th.

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 2010 4thFest LED pin, 4thFest wearables, or making a donation in any of the donation barrels at the event.

How can I volunteer?

With an all-volunteer staff, there are many tasks and jobs for individuals 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.