Brockway's Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration

For those who have been blessed with the opportunity to be in Brockway during the annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration you know how special and unique this event is to our community.  For as long as I can remember, the "4th", as we affectionately call it, meant family gatherings, chicken barbeque, activities in the park, Main Street parade and the pinnacle of the evening – the spectacular fireworks!  It’s not unusual to walk from house to house to house and partake in a picnic or share a cold drink and a story with neighbors.  And it isn’t just a one-day celebration, but a week full of activities that include an art show, big-band concert, car show, a patriotic program, baseball games and much more.  It’s dedicated to family, friends and fun.

Which started me thinking…. When did the 4^th of July celebration start in Brockway? Some say that our celebration dates back to the 19^th century, but many would argue that the ‘true’ Brockway Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration began in 1967  I turned to the Brockway Historical Society and Taylor Memorial Museum for some answers.  They kindly shared the following….

• June 24^th, 1892:  Brockwayville will celebrate on July 4^th.  Features of the day will be a parade, tub and sock racing, greased pig exercises and public speaking.  Ladies of different churches will feature meals.  The day will end with a ball for dancing.
• June 28, 1907:  Brockwayville will celebrate the 4^th.  Among the features will be industrial and fantastical parade and ball games in the morning, horse races in the afternoon and a grand fireworks display in the evening. 
• July, 1910 …. Pictures at the museum show horse drawn carriages parading through town…. (I encourage you to visit the Museum and check it out)
• January, 1967: at the annual Brockway Volunteer Hose Company Banquet discussion began again about hosting a town celebration. 
• February 27, 1967:  over 25 individuals representing 12 organizations and civic groups throughout the community joined forces and endorsed the idea- from which was born our beloved, Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.

So whether you believe the celebration started in 1892 with the early Brockwayville citizens or by a group of civic-minded individuals in 1967, it's a day dedicated to patriotic pride.  

A special thanks to the visionaries whose collaborative efforts brought this idea to fruition.  And to the 4^th of July committee members who continue to carry the torch and work tirelessly to make each year better than the next. Finally, may we all reverently remember and give thanks to the brave men and women who fought and died for our freedom so that we may enjoy the celebration of this special day in not only our town’s history, but the history of the USA. Thank you to all who serve our county – past and present.