On July 4, Americans celebrate "the unanimous Declaration" of the 13 United States of America.
In the 1776 document, the 56 signers agreed, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Fireworks displays and other activities are scheduled throughout the area before and after the holiday.
Wednesday at Fort Stanwix events are scheduled throughout the day. At 9 a.m. the 36th annual Independence Day Observance will begin at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary Soldier at the corner of James and Liberty streets. In the fort, the Declaration of Independence will be read at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. An 18th century baseball game will be played at 2 p.m. Additional activities include musket firing demonstrations and the opportunity to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Fort Stanwix will have fireworks July 28 after the Honor America Days Parade and evening Pops concert.
The 82nd annual Lee Center Fire Department Field Days will be held on July 6 and 7. The field opens at 5 p.m. on Friday and will have a fireworks display at 10 p.m. Saturday. The field opens at noon Saturday following a pancake breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis Club and a softball tournament at 8 a.m. A parade will begin at 6 p.m. and a grease pole climb at 8 p.m. Music by the Fulton Chain Gang starts at 8:30 p.m.
Clinton will host the Town of Kirkland Fourth of July Parade Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. The parade will start on Elm Street and will end at the firehouse. Fireworks will blast off at dusk on Clinton Central School grounds.
A July 4 celebration in Utica will be staged at Proctor Park from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Parking will be available free of charge at the Charlestown Parking lot on Bleecker Street, where a shuttle will transport visitors to the park. A parade will start at the Armory, proceed down Culver Avenue and Rutger Street, ending at Proctor Park. Fireworks will be held at the conclusion of the evening.
Old Forge will celebrate its annual Independence Day Celebration beginning at 7 p.m. and will include a free concert by the Floyd Community Instrumental Ensemble. Activities take place on Old Forge Pond and will be capped off by fireworks.
A fireworks show over Oneida Lake at Sylvan Beach on July 4 will begin after dark.
On July 3, Vernon Downs will host a fireworks display following the racing. Post time is 6:55 p.m.
