"STATE COLLEGE FIREWORKS RATED ONE OF THE BEST IN THE
WORLD"
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2000
Contact: Dan
Barker, Pyrotechnics Management, 814-238-5334
DISCOVERY.COM:
In 1999, the Wall Street Journal recognized The Great
American 4th of July Fireworks in State College as one of the ten largest
fireworks displays in the United States. For 2000, The Discovery Travel
Channel web site, www.discovery.com, has recognized
The Great American 4th of July Fireworks as one of the best fireworks
displays in the world. According to the web site, the show ranks
fourth among fireworks shows worldwide. The web site recommends State
College, along with ten other Fireworks displays, as vacation destinations
for fireworks affectionados around the globe.
Under the guidance
of Dan Barker, the Great American 4th of July Fireworks has grown
into a world class event. Prior to the fireworks display. An
outdoor stage features continuous entertainment. Free hot dogs and
chips and free children's events culminating in what is recognized as one
of the world’s best fireworks displays. For several years it was one of
the areas best kept secrets, but as crowds marveled at the unique
choreography breathtakingly synchronized to music, as well as the
boisterous number of shells in the show, word quickly spread. This year's
event drew 175,000 spectators making it one of Central Pennsylvania’s
largest annual attractions.
What event's top Discovery’s list?
Number three is a nationalistic event in Kota, India. Number two, showing
this year only, is the opening display of the Summer Olympics in Sydney,
Australia, set for this September. And the number one show in the world,
according to Discovery.com, is the Fourth of July Fireworks by Macy's in
New York City. Interestingly, the computer driven fireworks system
originally developed for the State College show is utilized in three of
the top four fireworks displays.
The 2001 show is made possible by many sponsors
dedicated to carrying on the tradition. They are Pepsi Cola, Restek,
HappyValley.com, the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County,
the Pennsylvania State University, Centre Region Council of
Governments, Centre County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Galen Driebelbis, Videon
Central, Giant Goods, Rider Auto, the Student Book Store, Downtown
State College Partnership, 93.7fm THE BUS and WJAC TV
.
To View The Full Top Ten List Visit:
http://travel.discovery.com/ideas/wbestlst/firewrks/firewrks4-2.html#2
