By JOSH COTTON

jcotton@timesobserver.com

This Independence Day will look different in Warren than many in recent memory.

The traditional celebration was canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But that cancellation has resulted in innovative solutions.

The celebratory events will start with a livestream on the Freedom Celebration Warren 2020 Facebook at 10 a.m.

The organizer for that part of the event, Alicia Gatto, said that livestream will include a presentation of the colors by Boy Scouts and military representatives, some musical selections and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Those reading will include Congressman Glenn Thompson, State Senator Scott Hutchinson, State Representative Kathy Rapp and other local dignitaries.

Once that’s over, a motorcade will start lining up at Jones Chevrolet and proceed through Warren. Gatto said the vehicle procession should kick off about 11:30.

It will be led by Congressman Thompson in a Model T.

“I think it’s just going to be really neat,” Gatto said. “(It was) just an idea Rob (her husband) and I had…. It really has just snowballed into something super special. Everybody has been so excited about it, excited to participate. I did not have to struggle to get everyone to participate.”

Gatto said they are aiming to “keep it safe and abide by the regulations,” encouraging people to remain in their cars at Jones Chevrolet.

While the motorcade runs through town, a brass band will be playing atop the Flat Iron Building at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and Second Ave.

When the traditional events were canceled, that also left Warren without a fireworks show.

Set for 10 p.m., the fireworks have been crowdfunded via a gofundme.com page which raised nearly $13,000 as of Friday afternoon.

Beth Hoffman, who is organizing the fireworks, said that it became clear that Gatto needed help.

“She couldn’t do both and needed someone to spearhead the fireworks portion so we could remain 2 separate entities,” she said. “I offered and ran with it.”

A sense of tradition drove that decision.

“Traditions are very important to me! My freedom, Constitutional rights and my liberties are at the very backbone of my beliefs,” she said.

But it wasn’t just about her.

“I honestly just thought how sad…. How sad that ‘We the people’ couldn’t have a parade, fireworks and fair. These poor kids have nothing to boost their spirits or celebrate. I just thought there has to be a way! I personally am a ‘find a way, make a way’ type of girl so the shoe just fit perfectly.

The fundraising continues and will be available up through Saturday at 7 p.m.

Where are the best viewing locations?

“People need to get creative!” Hoffman said.

“But, the tower you can see when you cross Hickory St. Bridge is the radio tower that sits on top of Mohawk.” She said the display is near the cell tower to the right of that tower.

But she made some viewing suggestions – the Clark St. parking garage, Hickory St. Bridge along Pennsylvania Ave. from across from the hospital down through the west side. She said most of Pleasant Township should also work as well as Betts Jackson Field, the former site of Perkins, the bowling alley and Washington Park.

Bill Thompson, 4th of July Committee chairman, said that last year’s parade will be broadcast on Atlantic Broadband channels 13 and 713 on Saturday, as well.