Villages plan holiday celebrations

FINGER LAKES—The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, marks the anniversary of the U.S. adopting the Declaration of Independence.
In the area, celebrations are held on and around the federal holiday. Branchport will be host to the annual parade and events. Starting at noon on July 4, the Branchport/Keuka Park Fire Department will hold a chicken barbecue. The parade starts at 2 p.m. and runs down Main Street. It will feature fire trucks, antique vehicles, floats, and more. Finally, a fireworks show is scheduled for 10 p.m. behind the former Branchport elementary school.
The Penn Yan Flying Club will host its annual fly in/drive in breakfast, July 4. It will be held at the Penn Yan Airport from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. The cost ($8 for adults and $4 for children) includes breakfast. Music will be provided by the Dundee Central School steel drum band. There will also be airplane displays and the opportunity to take rides in fixed wing airplanes and helicopters.
The “Ring of Fire” tradition continues on Keuka Lake. On the Fourth of July, people along Keuka Lake are invited to light flares at 10 p.m. Business around Keuka are selling the flares.
The Hammondsport Firemen’s Carnival kicks off, July 4. It runs through Saturday, July 6. The carnival opens Thursday at 1 p.m. and goes to 10 p.m. Friday goes from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday includes a parade at 6 p.m. and a fireworks show at 10:30 p.m.
The Fourth of July fireworks show in Watkins Glen this year will be held, Thursday, July 4, at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks show will be staged at Clute Memorial Park, located at the southern end of Seneca Lake. The fee to park in Clute Memorial Park for the fireworks show will be $5.
Freedom Village will hold an “I Love America” concert at Lafayette Park, Saturday, July 6, at 7 p.m. The event is free, but people are asked to bring lawn chairs.