SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE
Thousands take in fireworks during Pittsburgh’s long-awaited Fourth of July festivities
Thousands of people looked to the sky intently as colorful fireworks painted the sky during Fourth of July celebrations Sunday night at Point State Park in Downtown.
Some kids jumped up and down in excitement pointing toward the bursts of light. Couples hugged and others looked on silently as fireworks continued to erupt. It was a welcomed display in honor of Independence Day after celebrations in Pittsburgh were canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The sound of food and beverage vendor trucks buzzed the air Sunday evening across the park as children laughed with their families and held hands during festivities.
Groups of city police officers walked to and from the park as security personnel dressed in neon green shirts and vests checked individuals’ bags and purses for disallowed items. City officers on horseback also made their rounds around the perimeter of the park.
As of 6 p.m., a police officer who declined to be named said no major incidents had been reported. An Allegheny County fire official
reported the same.
Hundreds of people walked about the park and Downtown area Sunday ahead of the start of fireworks, which began at 9:35 p.m. Adults and children with teeth stained blue and red from snow cone ice treats laid out blankets and set up picnics, while other groups of people stood in line for corndogs, gyros, beverages and other food and drink.
“I’ve never been down here [at Point State Park] for the Fourth of July before,” said Trish Zulka, 37, of Washington, Pa. “All of the Fourth of July fireworks and celebrations happened Friday and Saturday in Washington this year, so we came down here to celebrate on the actual day. I don’t know if it’s because of COVID or what, but a lot of places celebrated before today.”
Ms. Zulka, her young daughters and boyfriend munched on powdered funnel cakes while sitting on a bench near the entrance of the park.
“It’s so hot, there’s not really any shade anywhere,” she said.
Public Safety officials and other city leaders previously encouraged the public to attend Fourth of July festivities at Point State Park this weekend but cautioned people to stay safe, noting that a significant increase in police would be present across the city.
Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich, during a news conference Friday morning at the CityCounty Building in Downtown, said police are increasing their efforts this year due to concerns of violence locally and nationally.
Kevin Meadows, 63, of East Liberty, sat outside the park selling sunglasses, “squeeze me” chicken toys, mini Pirates softball sets, American flags, various hats and water. He said he had been out there since 8:30 a.m., and planned to stay until after fireworks.
“Things really didn’t get started out here until around 11 a.m.,” Mr. Meadows said as a group of local officers in uniform walked past. “I was down here Juneteenth celebrations for both weekends and Pittsburgh’s finest [police] were out here, too. People should know not to do certain things, knowing police will be around.”
Dozens of patrons as well as police stood and sat on the bridge underneath the overpass in front of of the Point State Park fountain, taking a break from the hot sun.
It was 84 degrees just after 7 p.m., and Pittsburgh National Weather Service meteorologists predicted less than a 20% chance of precipitation Sunday.
The temperature had cooled down into the 70s by nightfall.
Earlier in the day, dogs on leashes panted while some owners ensured that their pets didn’t poop in the middle of the bridge just outside the park. Many dressed in
American flag attire and summer clothing brushed through large crowds of people that were growing in size as the evening went on.
Mr. Hissrich previously estimated that about 200,000 people would attend the park on Sunday.
A deejay played music as several onlookers gathered and in unison danced and clapped their hands in front of the Point State Park fountain. The fountain itself — with water shooting high into the air — was covered by people sitting around it, some playing in the water. Others played games such as Jenga and beanbag tossing in the park’s grassy field.
A city task force established in June to enforce fireworks violations said it had its busiest night of the year on Saturday, and responded to 88 fireworks- related
complaints.
Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Cara Cruz said the bureau would release the number of complaints and incidents from during the holiday on Monday.