A smorgasbord of colors will once again light the skies in Lehighton on the Fourth of July.

The Lehighton Downtown Initiative will present the Lehighton Fireworks at 10 p.m. Thursday.

Ryan Saunders, LDI president, said the fireworks will be shot off in the rear parking lot of the Lehighton Outdoor Center.

“We received high praise for last year’s display, and we are hoping to top that response from the general community after this year’s show as well,” Saunders said.

Bambi Elsasser, community operations manager, urged guests to come out early to get their viewing spot to watch the fireworks. During the show, guests may encounter different traffic patterns.

Sergeant Stanley Hoffman Boulevard will be closed during the fireworks display. All traffic during this time frame will be detoured from Bridge Street to Third Street. Guests are asked to take Third Street to Ochre Street, and make a right on Ochre Street to First Street.

Elsasser noted that along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard there will be several places to get food and drink. UnCommon Grounds Cafe, Caribbean Island Cuisine, and Jenny’s Jump Junction will be along the north end of the D & L Trail while Trailside Events will have Half Barrel Brewery and The Taco King Food Truck at their location. Most of these will be open for business on or before 5 p.m.

She said they would like to thank all the sponsors of the event, including the Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, Lehigh Fire Company #1 - Social Quarters, Remington & Vernick Engineers, Liberty Oil, All Points Towing, Iron Valley Real Estate, George’s Sewer and Drain Cleaning, Home Comfort Solutions, Jim Thorpe Trolley, and L.E. Williams Printing.

Elsasser also sent out a huge thank you to the Lehighton Fire Department, the Lehighton Police and the Lehighton Fire Police for traffic and crowd control.

“We hope everyone will come out and have a wonderful time at the Lehighton Downtown Initiative’s Firework display,” she said.

Anyone with questions may email LDILehighton@gmail.com.

Community Block Party

Earlier in the day, the Lehighton Borough Parks and Recreation Board will host an Independence Day Community Block Party on Thursday in the Lower Park.

It will start at noon and run through 10 p.m. when the Lehighton Downtown Initiative’s Fireworks Show begins, according to Autumn Abelovsky, Parks and Rec Board member.

Constitution Avenue in front of the Municipal Building will be sanctioned off from traffic for people to enjoy some music, food and fun.

Several food vendors will have a variety of treats, including funnel cakes, specialty empanadas, BBQ & Mac ‘n Cheese, along with hot dogs, candied fruits and more.

DJ Dave will play tunes from noon until 4 p.m. when Layne “The Doc” Roberts takes over to fill the street with music and his own banter of local antics until the fireworks explode.

The Lower Park will have some activities set up for anyone desiring to partake, including Corn Hole, a Duck Derby, Ring Toss, a Waterball Battle and a Sword Tag Ring.

“This is our first year attempting to bring back the old fashion Block Party that many longtime locals will remember,” Abelovsky said. “We are starting small, but hope to have interested people join us in building this resurrected event back to the size of its glory days.”