Times Observer file photo Friday’s Fourth of July parade begins at 11 a.m. Chairs can be put out starting today.

One of the most amazing things about Warren’s Fourth of July celebration is that it is put together by a group of a dozen volunteers, with another couple dozen helping out during the event.

They started meeting last September to plan this year’s event and have been working hard to create a two-day celebration for the community that is full of activities for every age.

The official Celebration kicks off with the Fourth of July parade at 11 a.m. on Friday. Last week, the parade had 85 entries, which will make the parade around two and a half to three hours long, according to Fourth of July Committee Chairperson Bill Thompson. “That number isn’t set in stone. There are always a few that join at the last minute and some that drop out.” said Thompson. “We are very proud of the fact that Warren has the fourth largest Fourth of July parade in the state of Pennsylvania.”

Chairs along the parade route can be put out starting today.

One change for this year’s parade is that bleacher seating at the grandstand in Joseph Warren Park will be free and open to the public this year. While the stand was reserved in past years, this year seating in the bleachers will be free on a first come, first seated basis.

After the parade, activities shift to Betts Park, starting at 4 p.m. with the cutest baby contest. Parents and guardians of babies aged newborn to 2 years old can sign up for the contest at Betts Park before 4. Categories will include most patriotic, cutest eyes and more. There is no entry fee to enter the contest.

The committee is proud to offer many things on the Fourth of July for free, including admission to Betts Park. Free activities will include horse-drawn carriage rides, facepainting and someone making balloon animals for visitors, all at no charge. There will also be a line up of vendors, selling everything from food and drinks to flags and wood carvings and more.

Round one of Warren’s Got Talent runs from 6 to 10 p.m. on the Fourth of July. Talented musicians from all over the area will take the stage, and be judged by a committee of musicians from the area.

Activities continue in Betts Park on Saturday, starting with the firefighter’s challenge at 9 a.m. Vendors and other activities will ramp up in the park at 11 a.m, along with a live performance by Molly Dies Dance Studio on stage.

Finalists from Warren’s Got Talent will take the stage from Warren’s Got Talent at 1 pm, with performances expected to go through 4 pm. Hellz Bellz, an AC/DC tribute band from Erie,Pa., will rock the stage from 7 to 10 p.m.

The festivities will culminate with Fireworks at 10 p.m., put on by Peak Pyro by Kellner’s, who was known for setting off fireworks from Mohawk Avenue above Betts Park for years. This will be their second year putting on the official firework show at Betts Park.

Tickets will be sold throughout the festivities to win a grand prize of $5,000, in addition to 32 other prizes donated by local businesses and organizations. Prizes range from family tickets to the Warren County Fair to $500 gift cards from Northwest or Key Bank. Winners will be drawn after the fireworks, and winners need not be present to win.