RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Local National Guardsmen and volunteers pitched in to help raise a gigantic American flag near the foot of the Market Street bridge in Williamsport in preparation for the "Set the Night to Music" Fourth of July celebration on Tuesday. The decades-old tradition is a collaboration of the local National Guard and Allison Crane.

This year’s Independence Day celebrations and fireworks are going to be a precursor to the nation’s bisesquicentennial — its 250th birthday.

Among the most anticipated of these Independence Day activities is Lycoming County’s largest — Set the Night to Music, hosted by the City of Williamsport and Backyard Broadcasting, celebrating its 30th year downtown.

Friday starts with a hoisting of an 114 foot by 65 foot American flag by the Pennsylvania National Guard, which serves as custodian of the flag throughout the year. The National Guard takes charge of the raising and lowering of the flag with the honor it deserves on the stretch between the levee and Interstate 180. The hoisting is accomplished by the skilled laborers with Allison Crane and Rigging Co. along with volunteers.

Set the Night to Music starts earlier in the afternoon, at 3 p.m. along William Street and in the Hampton Inn parking lot.

The celebration features live bands on stage, about 30 vendors lined up along the streets and in the lot, all of in the shadow of the flag.

Guests who are there for the food, fun and patriotism are advised they can’t bring any pets, or use rollerblades/skates, personal fireworks, skate or power boards in the event area. There are numerous emergency medical personnel available for any 911 calls.

Bands performing this year on the Euro Optic Sound Stage will be:

Classic Thymes Band, 3-3:35 p.m., Uptown Music Collective, 4 to 4:35 p.m., Jonny Bull, 5 to 5:35 p.m., Long Story Short, 6 to 6:35 p.m., Gray Valley, 7 to 7:35 p.m., JJ Gair & Da Country Outlaws, 8 to 8:35 p.m. and Raising Kane, 9 to 9:35 p.m.

Right before the fireworks show, Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter will be leading the Pledge of Allegiance, with the National Anthem sung by “Achording to Dad.”

The fireworks show starts at about 9:40 p.m. and is choreographed to patriotic music airing on WILQ fm 105.1; WZXR fm 99.3, WCXR fm 103.7, WBZD fm 93.3, and HOT 107 fm.

Free shuttle service is available every 10 minutes from the City lots starting at 6 p.m., according to River Valley Transit Authority (RVTA).

The following streets are closed from noon until 11 p.m. – William and Via Bella, William and Third Street, Church and Pine streets. The Susquehanna Riverwalk, the popular bike and walking path, will be closed from Basin Street to Hepburn Street on the city side of the river to all bikes and pedestrians from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Additionally, the Market Street Bridge will be closed to all traffic from 8:30 to 10:15 p.m.

Free parking will include parking decks at Church Street and Third Street, with the lower level available for accessible vehicles and parking will not be permitted on the roof level.

Elevators to both garages will be shut down between 6 p.m. and midnight. Security, however, will be in place from 1 p.m. to midnight.