An authentic small-town Independence Day
Cambria Holds 155th Consecutive Fourth of July Celebration
Staff photo by Fritz Busch Cambria’s 4th of July parade includes dozens of units that circle the community Saturday.
Photo submitted by Beth Stearns Banon Beth Stearns Banon of Geneva, Switzerland, displays a fancy cake she made for the Cambria 4th of July celebration Saturday.
Staff photo by Fritz Busch Cambria's July 4th parade includes many units. Pictured from left, Sarah McGujire, David Lloyd, and Verna Walters.
A vibrant pink chrysanthemum lights up the sky during Friday night’s fireworks display in Cambria. The show capped off the start of the township’s 155th consecutive Independence Day celebration. (Photo by Amy Zents)
(Crowd photo) Families and community members gather with lawn chairs and blankets as they await the fireworks display during Cambria’s 155th consecutive Fourth of July celebration on Friday night. (Photo by Amy Zents)
Staff photo by Fritz Busch Cambria’s 4th of July parade includes dozens of units that circle the community Saturday.
Photo submitted by Beth Stearns Banon Beth Stearns Banon of Geneva, Switzerland, displays a fancy cake she made for the Cambria 4th of July celebration Saturday.
Staff photo by Fritz Busch Cambria's July 4th parade includes many units. Pictured from left, Sarah McGujire, David Lloyd, and Verna Walters.
A vibrant pink chrysanthemum lights up the sky during Friday night’s fireworks display in Cambria. The show capped off the start of the township’s 155th consecutive Independence Day celebration. (Photo by Amy Zents)
(Crowd photo) Families and community members gather with lawn chairs and blankets as they await the fireworks display during Cambria’s 155th consecutive Fourth of July celebration on Friday night. (Photo by Amy Zents)
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CAMBRIA -- Celebrants came from near and far for the 155th annual Cambria Independence Day celebration, believed to be the state's longest-running event of its type.
Danielle Deopere, board president of the Cambria Heritage Preservation Society, said the timing made this year special.
"What makes this year special is that our 155th consecutive celebration falls on the 250th celebration for the nation," Deopere said.
Deopere said the event brings back many former residents.
"People who grew up in Cambria but haven't lived there for years return home for the celebration," she said.
Fireworks have been part of the celebration for decades. Deopere, 41, said she does not remember a year without them.
"A big chunk of our donations goes to keeping the fireworks going each year," she said. "A lot of people really enjoy our show because there aren't a lot of towns that do fireworks for the Fourth of July anymore."
The fireworks show on Friday night began around 10 p.m. and lasted approximately 15 minutes.
The display featured chrysanthemums, large, spherical bursts with trailing stars, along with peonies, willows that cascaded downward like golden or pink branches, screamers and other aerial shells.
The celebration continued Saturday. Activities included kids' games in the park, a community potluck and the annual Cambria Fourth of July parade featuring modern farm equipment, trucks, floats, vintage tractors, fire trucks and classic cars.
"We had a great turnout for the parade. As usual, the parade went around town twice. Thank you to everyone who participated and came out to watch,” Deopere said.
Beth Stearns Banon accompanied her Swiss husband and their son Ethan from Geneva, Switzerland to Cambria for the authenticity of it.
"We've come to Cambria for July Fourth the last four years," she said. "We just love coming back here. This is where my mom grew up. My uncles and aunts have lived around here for a long time. We love coming back here for the small town love and lots of authenticity. We love the fireworks here and enjoy sharing everything here with our children and making it a traditional, fun-filled weekend for them."
Banon said the small-town American cultural event is "quite amazing" for her husband, Eran.
Banon works in human resources for the Global Fund, an international organization that is a worldwide partnership to defeat AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria to ensure a healthier, safer, more equitable future for all.
"It's not the same in a big city. We came for the authenticity here," said Eran Banon.
After the parade, a patriotic program followed in Cambria Town Hall. The history of the Cambria Philharmonic Orchestra included spirited music and a community sing-along.
After a fancy cake auction, live music by Ben Scruggs, and DD and Roscoe carried on into the evening.
Cambria Historical Preservation Society member Ross Deopere said the non-profit organization helps keep the July 4th event going.
"Our fireworks show comes completely from donations," he said. "The cake auction helps out with financing too. We also ask for donations at the fireworks show. We hope to keep this event going. This is like a big homecoming. I just saw an old friend I haven't seen in decades."
The Cambria Fall Festival will be held 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at Cambria Town Hall. Plans call for historical education, live music and a food truck.