Fireworks are happening all over this Friday & Saturday with many proclaiming “the biggest show ever” in celebration of the 250th. I think,…err hope, I’ve captured and listed every spot in the county with a fireworks show, minus those unsanctioned backyard celebrations. The ones where your neighbor spent waaaay too much money on a carload full of gunpowder. Be safe out there Loopers, it’s going to be a scorcher this week!

A tough L for Team USA. Next up; USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina tomorrow in San Fran at 8 EST. Cheers to games not starting past my bedtime.

-Ed (connect on LinkedIn)

Scroll back up… Today’s cover art at quick glance might pass as a drone photo, but it’s actually a piece painted by Whitney Babin,an artist who calls Lancaster home. She’s inspired by the imagery she finds in cities, especially at night, and has a series of work focusing on Lancaster. She’s currently preparing to join a show at the Lancaster Art Vault called, ‘Here and Held’. You can find her art on her website.

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I’ve searched and searched, yet sadly, I haven’t found anyone doing a giant Costco sheetcake with 250 candles this Saturday. So, I guess lots of ‘sky.. candles’ will have to do.

Find the closest to you below, but first some fireworks facts…

Fireworks popped up first in China 2,000+ years ago, when someone tossed bamboo stalks into a fire and discovered they made a satisfying bang when the hollow chambers heated up and burst.

Somewhere during the years of 800-900, Chinese alchemists aka the OG pyros, mixed saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal to invent gunpowder.

For the next 1,000 years, fireworks were almost exclusively orange and yellow because that's all the chemistry could do. Then in the 1830s, a few Italian pyros started adding metal salts; strontium for red, barium for green, copper for blue. And fireworks finally had their full Roy G. Biv moment when the USA pyros set up roadside stands on every corner.

Marco Polo gets credit for bringing fireworks to Europe, but that’s more lore than fact. Traders and missionaries likely beat him to it.

Random fact: Blue is still the hardest color to produce reliably.

Extra random fact: The "whistle" sound isn't an explosion…it's a tightly packed chemical compound burning in rapid pulses.

It’s probably best to wait til after the finale to show off your newfound firework facts.

So as you sit in awe surrounded by oohs and aahs, just remember…you're witnessing 2,000 years of progress after someone probably said, hey…dare me to toss this in the campfire?

COLUMBIA: Glatfelter Memorial Field 6-10p hot dogs, chips, Kona Ice, games, and fireworks

EPHRATA: Lincoln Heights Rec Area; 8a Firecracker 5 Mile Run, Ephrata Church of Brethren 530-930p music, jugglers, food, and fireworks

EAST PETERSBURG: EP Comm Park 5-10p movie, food trucks, and fireworks

ELIZABETHTOWN: Star Barn & Ironstone Ranch @ Stone Gables 3-9p evening full of activities, train rides, pony rides, petting zoo, food trucks, & fireworks

LANCASTER CITY: Penn Medicine Park JULY 3rd 5-10p wrestling, car show, dance, hot dog & pie eating contest, hypnosis show, LSO plays, and fireworks

LITITZ: Lititz Springs Park 12-10p food trucks, baby parade, games, music and fireworks

MANHEIM: The Junction Center 5-10p Car Show and Kaboom, food trucks, beer garden and fireworks

MARIETTA: War Memorial Park 2-1030p mini carnival, food trucks, games, juggler, and fireworks

MOUNTVILLE: Froelich Park 7-10p concert and fireworks

NEW HOLLAND: NH Comm Park 7-10p NH Band plays, food trucks, and fireworks

QUARRYVILLE: Buck Motorsports Crash & Fireworks 7-10p demolition derby followed by fireworks

RONKS: The Barn at Paradise Station JULY 3rd 4-10p food trucks, games, facepaint, jams by the New Holland Band, and fireworks

RONKS: Cherry Crest Farm Summer Festival 10a-10p full day of events ending with fireworks

Last year I jumped off a building…
…with a safety harness, two ropes, a helmet, and gloves.

It was all in support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA.

This year I’m asking you to join me. Ever jumped off a building?

Want to?

Of course you do, we’re raising money & creating lifelong memories.

Scared?

So was I, that’s why this year I’m excited to have you all join me as we raise money for the Lancaster branch of BBBS. I'd love to see some other Loopers join me up on the roof, October 9th, to rappel down 18 stories. If you just can’t bear the idea…
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The mission of the Lancaster Loop is to build community and help neighbors meet neighbors across the county. It’s independently and locally written by a guy who loves Lanc. All support is welcome - forward this email to a friend & ask them to subscribe or click that shiny red button below. ‘Preciate all of you - Ed

📣YELL at the Loop (or just say hey to Ed)

Lancaster Loop Dinner Club #4 is coming up in about two more weeks

Here’s what others have said after they hung out with 5 friendly strangers…

“What an awesome night! Who knew that sitting down with 5 complete strangers could be so much fun”

“Great people at my table, great restaurant, and a fun meet up afterwards”

Join the Loop Dinner Club on Thursday July 16th in downtown Lancaster.

200+ readers have joined. With a 4.8/5 rating 👏👏👏

Clue for the after party: You’ll have a chance to help local kiddos just by ordering a drink!

Mahjong 102 came back to West Art last week. Danielle from The 717 Mahj Circle led the night and will join us again at West Art for open play nights.

For the open play nights, if you have your own tiles please BRING them!

Additional open play dates are scheduled for Tuesday, July 7th and Tuesday, August 4th. Open play will not include formal instruction, instead focusing on playing & enjoying the game. But, Danielle will still be on-hand for guidance and support!
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Thank you to everyone who played the ‘Don’t Forget Your Father’s Day’ scavenger hunt. We’re gathering the results and Mike ‘seven-toes’ Porto and I will be drawing the winners and announcing them next week.

Interested in sponsoring one of our local scavenger hunts that pours into your business? Reply to this email and build something uniquely out of the box.