West Penn Township residents can get their red, white and blue on as part of a summer bash on the Fourth of July Weekend.

The 2025 Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 5 at J.E. Morgan Memorial Park, 49 Cold Spring Road. The rain date is July 6.

The event is free and made possible by donations, and all funds raised will go toward the township’s police department, fire department and EMS services.

The idea behind the fundraiser is to encourage other local businesses to take part in the event in several different manners:

• Advertise their business with a banner, vend their products or services, set up an information table. It’s free of charge. No donation or fee is required.

• Send a donation if possible to West Penn Township, or send a gift certificate that the township can raffle off at the event.

• Become a sponsor for $250, $500 or $750, and the township will provide a customized banner to be displayed at the event. Sponsors also will get recognition at the event over the PA system and on the West Penn Township Digital Sign on Route 309 from June 5 to July 5.

Howard Pryda, who is producing and organizing the event, said he approached township supervisors at a meeting over the winter and proposed to give the township two years of a free fireworks show.

“I had gone to the supervisors, and they were on board with this,” Pryda said. “These small towns, they can’t afford fireworks shows.”

Pryda, of West Penn Township, said it proved to be a good fit.

“It was a chance for the community to get together, and for businesses to be involved as well,” he said. “We’re a rural community and we have a place to do it.”

Pryda said that he and a friend, Tony Cseplo do fireworks shows together, and as fireworks hobbyists, they’ve accumulated a great many fireworks over the years.

He said Cseplo has donated many fireworks they will be using in the show, and will be with him on July 5 to setup and shoot the show with him.

A professional pyrotechnician, Pryda said he’s been getting businesses involved, and noted all the money that will be raised will go to police, fire and EMS.

He cited several other local fireworks companies, including Celebration Fireworks in Slatington (which will be insuring the event), along with Ba Da Boom Fireworks in Blakeslee (which has donated lots of fireworks to them) for stepping up. Pryda said the show will be set to music, and added there will be food and merchandise vendors, along with activities.

For more information, contact Pryda at 609-314-9127, or pryda@verizon.net.