🎇 Steel City Sparks: Your Ultimate 4th of July Guide

🎆 Real Estate Revelations: 4th of July Edition 🎇 
July 3, 2025 Edition | Read Online

Since I was a kid, I’ve loved them — floating on a boat at camp, or cramming into the car and heading downtown with family. I’ve been on a quiet mission to find the best fireworks display in the country ever since. Nashville’s on my wishlist (seriously, look up their show 👀), but this year, like many of us, I’m keeping it local. Trusted. Classic. Pittsburgh. Because let’s be honest — budget’s tight, and there’s no shame in sticking with the GOAT.

This city puts on a show, and I’m not just talking about the skyline.

Fun fact: The very first Fourth of July fireworks lit up the sky in 1777, just a year after the Declaration was signed. John Adams himself called for it to become a tradition “from this time forward forever more.” Pittsburgh may not have been first, but we’ve been doing it right for decades.

If you're new here, I’m Pittsburgh’s Go-To Realtor, Expert in Luxury Homes & Strategic Real Estate Solutions, and someone who’s proud to combine small-town roots with big-city results. Over the years, I’ve sold millions of dollars worth of real estate, met some incredible people, and had the privilege of helping them buy and sell some truly amazing properties.

This week’s newsletter is a little lighter — no market snapshot, no rates — just pure summer energy. From where to catch fireworks (spoiler: West End Overlook is still undefeated) to why this year’s celebration is shifting away from Point State Park, consider this your Fourth of July field guide.

Let’s get into it 🇺🇸⬇️

🎉 Your Guide to Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July 2025

This year’s Independence Day in Pittsburgh is shaping up to look a little different — and that’s not a bad thing.

📍 No Point State Park? No problem. Thanks to NFL Draft-related construction, the city’s main festivities are relocating to the North Shore’s Great Lawn and Grandview Park. It’s a shift in tradition, but with new views, more space, and fresh energy, it could be the upgrade we didn’t know we needed.

🎆 New Vibes, Same Boom Zambelli is officially out. The city tapped StarFire Corporation to lead the charge this year — and they’re promising a jaw-dropping, music-synced 25-minute show, culminating in a massive 8,000-shell finale that should shake the city awake at 9:35 p.m. sharp.

🎤 Live Music & Local Flavor From 4–10 p.m., the PNC Great Lawn will be packed with:

• Two stages of nonstop music

• The People’s Food Truck Corral with Pittsburgh favorites

• An 80-foot hot air balloon (!?)

• A Family Fun Zone + Sargent Electric Solar Stage with community performers

Over in Grandview Park, you’ll find more live music, kid-friendly activities, and local drinks — plus some of the best skyline views for the fireworks.

📡 Don’t want to fight the crowd? Catch the fireworks synced on 100.1 FM or tune into the WPXI broadcast from home or your friend’s rooftop BBQ.

💪 Pro Tip: Skip Point State Park this year — it’s under major renovation. And bring your patience: there will be bag checks, limited parking, and no grills or personal fireworks allowed in event zones.

🎆 Want to know what’s happening in your neighborhood? Here’s a full list of community fireworks displays across the region →
CBS Pittsburgh Fireworks Guide

🎆 Fireworks Are My Love Language I’ve been chasing fireworks since I was a kid — whether it was floating on the river at camp, watching from a boat downtown, or piling into the car with my family to grab a good spot before the show started. It’s one of those traditions that’s stuck with me. Every year I’m on a quiet mission to find the best display in the country… though let’s be honest, I don’t quite have the travel budget to hit up places like Nashville, NYC, D.C., Miami, San Francisco (one day). So for now, I stick with the trusted and true — Pittsburgh knows how to light up the sky.

📍 Best Places to Watch Fireworks in Pittsburgh

• ✨ West End Overlook — My absolute favorite. The panoramic view from here is second to none. You’re set back just enough that the noise isn’t overwhelming, but you get the full visual punch of the skyline and fireworks reflecting on the rivers. It feels cinematic. Bring a blanket, maybe a thermos, and get there early — it’s popular for good reason.

• 🔥 In front of Monterey Bay Fish Grotto — This spot is for the adrenaline junkies. You’re practically underneath the fireworks. They’ll be right on top of you, the booms will rattle your chest, and the atmosphere is electric. But it’s LOUD — you’ve been warned.

• 🌇 Fineview Overlook — Tucked away, quiet, and chill. Great for couples or anyone wanting a relaxed, crowd-light experience. You won’t have the full downtown skyline but the neighborhood feel and elevation still deliver a solid view.

• 🌊 On a boat — The dream. You get front-row views with the water reflecting the show. It’s peaceful and thrilling all at once. Just make sure your friend doesn’t bail last minute.

• 🏞️ Highmark Stadium — If you managed to grab tickets, congrats. You’ll be in the center of it all, with booming sound and crystal-clear visuals.

• ⛰️ Duquesne Incline Lower Lot — A low-key classic. Park early, grab a chair, and enjoy the iconic city skyline behind the fireworks. Bonus: easy exit route.

• 🌿 Grassy Lot across from Stage AE — Big open space, near the heart of the action, and generally packed with people who love a good display. You’ll be in good company.

🚨 Tips:

• Be ready to walk (a lot).

• Don’t trust the weather app. Bring rain gear. Or don’t.

• Be respectful: no blocking views with kids on shoulders, loud convos, or playing music during the show.

🏩 Pittsburgh & the Fourth: A Few Local Fireworks-Worthy Facts

🎆 Zambelli Fireworks Originated Here Pittsburgh is home to the legendary Zambelli Fireworks family from nearby New Castle, PA — famous for lighting up skies across the nation.

🌊 Triple River Reflections Our skyline + rivers = some of the most picturesque firework reflections you’ll find anywhere in the country.

🏩 Fort Pitt's Revolutionary Role While we weren’t a revolutionary hub, Fort Pitt became a keystone for westward expansion and independence celebrations.

🌟 Declaration Signer from Western PA James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration and Constitution drafter, has ties to early Pittsburgh history.

🎟️ Things To Do This Holiday Weekend in Pittsburgh (Click the event names for more info)

• Lozziwurm at Children’s Museum
  July 3-6 | 10am-5pm

• Anthrocon: Deep Sea Adventures
  July 3-6 | Downtown + David L. Lawrence Convention Center

• Inside Out: Jellyfish Dance Party
  July 3 | 5-11pm | Carnegie Museum of Art

• Fourth at the Fort
  July 4 | 11am-2pm | Fort Pitt Museum

• Kennywood Fireworks + Food Festival
  July 4-6 | 11am-10pm | Kennywood Park

• Big Blast in Grandview Park
  July 4 | 2pm-late

• North Shore Independence Day Celebration
  July 4 | 4-10pm | Great Lawn & Emerald View Park

• Explosive Science! at Carnegie Science Center
  July 4 | 6-11pm

• Hot Disco Jelly Fundraiser
  July 5 | 3pm | The Old Stone Tavern

• Battle of Homestead Commemoration
  July 6 | 2-5pm | The Pump House

🌧️ Weekend Weather Outlook Looks like sunshine and mid-80s are in our favor! But you know how Pittsburgh is—keep that umbrella handy just in case. Better safe than soggy.

Thinking About Buying or Selling?

Let’s chat about how to navigate Pittsburgh’s real estate market. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest, I’m here to help. Hit reply, or schedule a consultation here: 15 Min Consultation

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Thanks for letting me be a part of your inbox this week! I hope you found these insights helpful, whether you're a curious Pittsburgher, a buyer, a seller, or an investor. As always, I’m here to answer any real estate questions or just chat about the market.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,
Tim

Tim Pettigrew
Realtor | eXp Realty
📍 Serving Pittsburgh and Surrounding Areas
📞 412-545-6006 | ✉️ [email protected]
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Disclaimer:
This email is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another broker. All real estate information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Please consult a professional for specific advice.

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