Unity businessman plans Fourth of July fireworks at Westmoreland Fairgrounds

Fireworks will light up the night sky to celebrate the Fourth of July in Mt. Pleasant Township as a way for a local businessowner to give back to the community.

Marcus Wisneski is planning a “drive-in fireworks show” to celebrate Independence Day at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds. It is one of few, if any, fireworks shows still planned in the area as the coronavirus pandemic forced cancellations of events with large crowds.

“I believe that Fourth of July should have fireworks,” he said.

The show will start at 10 p.m. He is leasing the parking lot along Mt. Pleasant Road at the fairgrounds. Attendees will be asked to stay in or next to their vehicles.

Wisneski said he is a licensed fireworks shooter. He owns Wisneski’s waste removal service in Unity.

“It’s a hobby of mine,” he said. “I wanted to give it to everybody.”

Fourth of July fireworks displays have been canceled around the region, including in New Kensington, Latrobe and Pittsburgh. Organizers in all of the communities cited concerns about their ability to meet social distancing and gathering sizes instituted during the pandemic.

Wisneski said Independence Day shouldn’t go by without fireworks.

“It’s just something I can give back,” he said. “It’s the celebration of our country and we should have it.”