For the last 10 days and nights, more than 350 volunteers from the Centre County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue have been setting up what 4th Fest executive director Bernie Keisling called "one of the largest fireworks shows in the country."

These volunteers will secure the 45-minute long fireworks display at tomorrow's 4th Fest celebration during which 11,000 shells will be fired. The grand finale alone will feature over 40 shells launched per second.

"We'll give you 11,000 fireworks during the show," he said. "Please don't bring your own."

He said that the since the grass is dry, spectators bringing their own fireworks can be hazardous.

Also, Keisling said alcohol will not be permitted because the show is a family-oriented event.

The celebration begins at 9 a.m. with the Firecracker 4K Run, but Keisling said the fireworks show, scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m., is just the "punctuation mark" at the end of 4th Fest.

Penn State University Police and State College police will be on hand to help secure the crowd, which could climb between 50,000 and 60,000 people during the day's festivities, Keisling said.
Both police forces will direct traffic and provide guidance and directions because of the significant change in traffic patterns, Keisling said.

Traffic volume is expected to be equivalent to that of a home football game, according to a State College Police Department press release.

Porter Road is closed for construction, so spectators should use Park Avenue, Fox Hollow Road or University Drive to access the Beaver Stadium area. Parking is prohibited along Mt. Nittany Expressway, Route 220 (I-99), Orchard Road and the streets near the stadium, according to the press release.

"It's a huge patriotic birthday party for our country," Keisling said.