Fire in the Sky Palooza Returns to Herkimer With Fireworks

Looking for a fun (and free) way to celebrate before the Fourth of July? Herkimer County Community College has you covered.

Fire in the Sky Palooza returns to Herkimer County Community College on Wednesday, July 1, bringing an evening filled with live music, food trucks, family activities and one of the area's biggest fireworks displays.

The free event runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Wehrum Stadium on the HCCC campus and is open to everyone.

Live Music, Food Trucks and Fireworks

The fun kicks off at 5 p.m. with Gridley Paige AM Gold (The Yacht Rock Experience).

Then at 7:30 p.m., the Syracuse Symphony takes the stage before the night wraps up with a spectacular fireworks show at dusk.

Along with the entertainment, you'll find plenty of food trucks, family-friendly activities and special exhibits throughout the evening.

Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary

This year's event also includes activities from the Herkimer County 250th Revolutionary War Commission as communities across the country continue celebrating America's 250th anniversary.

It's a great chance to enjoy a little local history while spending the evening with family and friends.

What You Need to Know Before You Go

Admission is completely free, although you'll want to bring money if you plan to grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks or concession stands.

A few things to keep in mind:

Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Stadium bleacher seating is limited.
Fireworks can be viewed from Wehrum Stadium and nearby HCCC parking lots.
Alcohol, coolers and pets are not permitted.

Parking and Shuttle Information

Parking will be available on campus, but several additional lots will also be open with continuous shuttle service throughout the evening.

Off-site parking locations include:

Herkimer Walmart
Herkimer High School
ARC Building (420 E. German St.)
Parking lot across from the Herkimer County Building on North Washington Street
VFW parking lot on Mohawk Street

Shuttles will run between each parking location and the college campus during the event.

If you're still looking for a fun way to kick off your Independence Day celebrations, Fire in the Sky Palooza is shaping up to be one of the biggest family events in the Mohawk Valley. Between live music, food, activities and a fireworks finale, it's an easy addition to your summer plans.

How Do Fireworks Get Their Colors?

Besides being a fun fact to impress your friends during the finale, knowing what makes fireworks work is a reminder of just how intertwined our daily lives are with Earth’s natural resources. Some of these minerals are considered critical commodities, meaning they’re vital to modern life and can be difficult to source.

So the next time you see a shimmering white sparkle or a deep red bloom over the Mohawk River, you’ll know: there's real science, and some pretty rare elements behind all that beauty.

It all comes down to chemistry. When fireworks are launched, metallic compounds, also called mineral elements, are heated to really hot temperatures. And as they burn, they emit specific colors of light.

The more complex the mix, the more dazzling the display.

Gallery Credit: Unsplash/TSM