Brockway Old Fashioned Fourth of July Part of Community’s Identity

BROCKWAY, Pa. (EYT) – The Brockway Old Fashioned Fourth of July enters its 53rd year, but it was started on a tiny budget of just over $2,000.

The Brockway Volunteer Hose Company and the Brockway Recreation Board worked with the Brockway Kiwanis, American Legion Auxiliary, Brockway Jaycees, the Chamber of Commerce, and Contessa Matilda Lodge to get the event started. Over the years, the event has grown and evolved into a massive gathering that has people coming from all around.

Chairman Jeff Gankosky has been shepherding the program since 1996. He said that a team approach is what makes it successful.

“Without cooperation, it wouldn’t happen,” he said. “We have 20-some committees that all work together. It takes countless people to make this happen every year.”

Gankosky explained that the nature of Brockway is what makes the Old-Fashioned Fourth of July succeed.

“It’s part of the community’s identity,” he said. “We have good people in town. The borough, the police department, fire department, ambulance, the recreation board and the residents are involved. We’re fortunate to have so much teamwork.”

One of the main events associated with the Fourth is the Tour de Brockway. Terry Maher starts in the fall to coordinate everything necessary for the event, which draws bikers from all over the country.

“Terry starts early,” Gankosky said. “He has to go to the borough and all the townships involved. He has to talk to PennDOT, the fire department, the police, and more. He has to make sure there’s no construction along the route. Usually, PennDOT and the communities wait until after the fourth to start road work.”

For the community, the Old Fashioned Fourth of July is a staple of Brockway. Houses will decorate with patriotic regalia, the community will turn out for the Patriotic Program on the morning of the 4th, and the streets will be lined with people to cheer on the Firecracker 10K and the Tour de Brockway.

More information is available at the event’s website.

Schedule of Events
Monday, July 1
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Quilt Show at the Elementary School Multi-Purpose Building
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.: Art Show at the Brockwayville Depot
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Art Show Critique at the Brockwayville Depot

Tuesday, July 2
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Brockway Historical Museum open at Taylor Memorial Park
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Quilt Show at the Elementary School Multi-Purpose Building
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Art Show at the Brockwayville Depot

Wednesday, July 3
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Library Book Sale at Mengle Memorial Library
4:30 p.m.: Soccer at Frank Varischetti Field
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Quilt Show at the Elementary School Multi-Purpose Building
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Art Show at the Brockwayville Depot
6:45 p.m.: Miss Brockway Old Fashioned Fourth Crowning on the American Legion Memorial Stage
7:00 p.m.: The Cavaliers Italian Band on the American Legion Memorial Stage

Thursday, July 4
7:30 – 8:15 a.m.: Firecracker 10k Race Registration at the concession tent across from pool
7:30 – 8:15 a.m.: Firecracker Fun Run Registration at the concession tent across from pool
8:30 a.m.: Firecracker 10k Race start at the pool parking lot
8:30 a.m.: Firecracker Fun Run Start at the pool parking lot
8:30 a.m.: Basketball Tournament Registration at the basketball court
9:00 a.m.: Basketball Tournament Registration at the basketball court
9:00 – 10:40 a.m.: Tour de Brockway Registration at Brockway Area High School
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show Registration at the Parkside Complex
9:15 a.m.: Opening of the day with ringing of the bells
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Fishing Contest at the Parkside Complex Pond
12:00 p.m.: Karmann’s Bicycle Drawing at the Parkside Complex Pond
10:00 a.m.: Potter Baseball Game at the teener field
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Roller Hockey Game on the roller hockey court
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Library Book Sale Bag Day at Mengle Memorial Library
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Quilt Show at the Elementary School Multi-Purpose Building
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Craft Show & Sale on 7th Avenue and Park Street
10:30 a.m.: Patriotic Program on the American Legion Memorial Stage
11:00 a.m.: Tour de Brockway Start at Brockway Area High School
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Art Show at the Brockwayville Depot
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Brockway Historical Museum open at Taylor Memorial Park
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Wet & Wild Tropical Island Obstacle Course, Catch A Wave, Survivor Immunity Challenge Escape Room, Pirate Ship Adventure, Adventure Games, Lady Bug Bounce, and Royal Castle Bounce, at Taylor Memorial Park
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Chase & The Barons on the American Legion Memorial Stage
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Donal Hinely playing the glass harmonica near the museum
12:00 p.m.: Fairytale Princess Party at the park pavilion
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Hayday Band at the 9th Avenue Pavilion
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.: Free swimming at the Taylor Memorial Pool
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.: Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show, location TBD
12:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Cartoon Caricature Portraits at the concession tent
12:00 – 5:00 p.m.: The Amazing Artistry of Animatronics at Taylor Memorial Park
12:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Face painting near the park
12:00 – 5:00 p.m.: The Balloon Guy and AMAZING Magic through the park
1:00p.m.: Zonda Kids Dance near the park pavilion
1:00 – 4:30 p.m.: The Jukebox Band on the American Legion Memorial Stage
2:30 p.m.: Youth Mover on the American Legion Memorial Stage
3:00 p.m.: Brockway Cheerleader Raffle Drawing on the American Legion Memorial Stage
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Kurt Thomas 9th Avenue Pavilion
4:00 p.m.: Brockway Soccer Duck Derby on the bridge by McDonalds
4:30 p.m.: Down Beat Percussion (Official Drumline of the Buffalo Bills) on the American Legion Memorial Stage
6:00 p.m.: Parade on Main Street
8:30 – 10:30 p.m.: Jackson Gardner on the American Legion Memorial Stage
9:00 p.m.: Kaimann’s Raffle Drawings on the soccer practice
Around 9:45 p.m.: The Burnice Shepley Estate and Owens-Illinois Spectacular Fireworks Display