Here’s where and when to see 4th of July fireworks

People appreciate Fourth of July celebrations for evening sensations.

Fireworks and their sparkling reds, blues and golds in the night sky are prime attractions.

Myla Kramer knows the skyrocket shows only last about 25 minutes. She believes many also want to celebrate the day during the afternoon and early evening hours.

That’s the idea behind Clifton Park’s Fourth of July party. Next Thursday, the town will offer a bunch of events designed to salute the beginning of summer.

“We always start with a parade at noon,” said Kramer, Clifton Park’s director of parks, recreation and community affairs. “Once that’s completed, at Clifton Commons we have carnival rides, craft vendors and food vendors.”

Other communities will conduct similar events, with fireworks included in all gatherings. The glitter and explosions begin tonight with a show at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy that will follow the Tri-City ValleyCats game against the Lowell Spinners.

Another traditional show will be held Friday in Scotia — the annual fireworks at Freedom Park.

In Glens Falls, the city’s annual Summer Jam will change locations. The July 3 party will be held at West Mountain Ski Center in Queensbury, after several years at East Field.

Kramer said Clifton Park’s holiday observation started in 1991. “It’s just a really family-friendly, all-American-type event,” she said.

The parade begins at the main campus of Shenendehowa High School, makes a left turn onto Route 146, another left onto Vischer Ferry Road and then heads into Clifton Commons. “We’ve got Boy Scouts, fire trucks, marching bands,” Kramer said. “Kids dress up in red, white and blue. It’s just a great feel.”

Community groups also participate. NorthStar Church provides a mothers’ station, for mothers who need a few minutes of privacy with their children. Other groups will conduct bake sales and other fundraising projects.

Clifton Park’s day out also includes two musical acts. Rock duo Sirsy will perform from 5 to 7 p.m., and seven-piece rock and pop outfit City Rhythm will play from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Alonzo Fireworks of Mechanicville will then perform on the celestial stage.

A sunny day, Kramer said, means a big crowd. “It always depends on the weather,” she said. “Our estimates from past years, it’s usually someplace around 20,000, 25,000 in and around the common by the time the fireworks go off.”

Night skies in the Capital Region and Adirondacks will be fiery and furious this weekend and into mid-July. Here’s where people can see holiday and summer fireworks shows:

THURSDAY

* Troy, Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, following the Tri-City ValleyCats-Lowell Spinners baseball game

FRIDAY

* Scotia, Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In in Freedom Park

* Malta, Albany-Saratoga Speedway

SATURDAY

* Minerva, Donnelly Beach

* West Lebanon, Lebanon Valley Speedway

MONDAY

* Thurman

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

* Amsterdam, Shuttleworth Park, following the Amsterdam Mohawks-Glens Falls Golden Eagles baseball game

* Fort Plain, Wiles Park

* Hague, Town Park

* Queensbury, Summer Jam, West Mountain Ski Center

* Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Casino and Raceway

* Tupper Lake

THURSDAY, JULY 4

* Albany, Empire State Plaza

* Bolton Landing, Rogers Memorial Park

* Clifton Park, Clifton Common

* Cobleskill

* Glens Falls, Crandall Park

* Inlet, over Fourth Lake

* Jay

* Lake George (also every Thursday night, beginning July 11 and continuing through Aug. 22)

* Lake Placid

* Long Lake

* Old Forge

* Raquette Lake

* Salem, Firemen’s Carnival Grounds

* Saranac Lake, over Lake Flower

* Saratoga Springs, Congress Park

* Schroon Lake

* Ticonderoga

* Troy, Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, following the Tri-City ValleyCats-Lowell Spinners baseball game

* Mayfield, Lanzi’s on the Lake

FRIDAY, JULY 5

* Amsterdam, Shuttleworth Park, following the Amsterdam Mohawks-Albany Dutchmen baseball game

* Piseco Lake, Sandy Cove

* Queensbury, The Great Escape

* Troy, Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, following the Tri-City ValleyCats-Lowell Spinners baseball game

SATURDAY, JULY 6

* Chestertown, Summerfest

* Corinth

* Greenwich, Elks Lodge

* Indian Lake, Byron Park

* North Creek, Ski Bowl Park

* Northville, over Little Lake

* Saratoga Lake (both north and south ends)

* Speculator

* Waterford, Waterford Harbor Visitors Center

SUNDAY, JULY 7

* Mechanicville, Tallmadge Park

* Northville, Sport Island Pub

SATURDAY, JULY 13

* Troy, Pig Out Barbecue Festival

* Wilton, Gavin Park, ParkFest

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

* Troy, Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, following the Tri-City ValleyCats-Auburn Doubledays baseball game

FRIDAY, JULY 19

* Schenectady, Schenectady County Summer Night Finale

SATURDAY, JULY 20

* Troy, Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, following the Tri-City ValleyCats-Hudson Valley Renegades baseball game

Categories: Life and Arts