By Alicia Welsh

With 4th of July weekend quickly approaching, there are several festivals and fairs around the region for everyone to enjoy. From the Three Rivers Regatta in Pittsburgh to the Smicksburg Celebrate our Country in the Country, there is plenty to do and explore this 4th of July weekend. 

One of my favorite annual festivals that continues to bring out a larger crowd each year is the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, the largest inland regatta in the United States. The Regatta starts Saturday July 2 with several events for the entire family including competitive eating contests, Frisbee dog show, face painting, powerboat racing, balloon artists, sand sculptures and much, much more. The entire festival culminates Monday July 4, with the EQT “Flashes of Freedom” Fireworks Fantasia starting at 9:35. The Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta is one of my favorite festivals with something new to discover each year. For more information regarding the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, check out the official website. 

Along with the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, there are also many more 4th of July celebrations and events taking part across the region. After talking to friends who are from the region, exploring resourceful websites such as VisitPittsburgh.com and Googling festivals in the area I have compiled a list of various 4th of July celebrations around the Power of 32 region.

1. June 30-July 3, 2011 Back to the Fifties Weekend at Cascade Park New Castle, Lawrence County PA
2. July 1-3, 2011 Ellwood City Arts, Crafts + Food Festival Ewing Park Ellwood City, Lawrence County PA 
3. July 1-4, 2011 Smicksburg Celebrate our Country in the Country Smicksburg, Indiana County PA 
4. July 1-9, 2011 Big Butler Fair "Big Butler Fairgrounds Butler County PA
5. July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza and Entertainment Aquatorium on the Monongahela Washington County PA 
6. July 4th Ford City Heritage Days Ford City, Armstrong County PA 
7. July 4 Celebration of America Morgantown, Monongalia County WV 
8. July 4th Independence Day Concert McHenry, Garrett County MD 
9. July 4th The Cruise in the River Car Show Lowellville, Mahoning County OH 

This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the events taking part across our region. To find more information about events in your town or county, check out their county or chamber of commerce website.