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Pittsburgh Readies Record Fourth of July Fireworks

Organizers are conducting final safety checks before a 25-minute river-and-rooftop display expected to draw large crowds.

Overview

  • Starfire Corporation says five barges and one rooftop location will fire thousands of effects in a roughly 25-minute show set to begin at 9:35 p.m. on Saturday.
  • The mayor and city materials have promoted a multi-river launch and a very large crowd, but a discrepancy remains between the mayor's account of six barges and the operator's statement that five barges will be used.
  • Inspectors from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire have reviewed the setup and will perform a final pre-show inspection, and inspector Lisa Epps-Cuda said this will be her last show before retirement.
  • Organizers brought in nine truckloads of pyrotechnics and say lightning is the primary weather risk to watch for, noting that rain alone would not automatically cancel firing.
  • The celebration centers on Point State Park with events on the North Shore and Mount Washington, gates will close at 9:25 p.m., and dozens of nearby communities will also be holding their own Fourth of July fireworks.