Train Service to Event Added 

In 2024, Kat Prickett of Perfect Harmony planned the first "Celebrate America!" concert on the lawn at Paradise Station. The free concert featured the New Holland Band playing a number of patriotic tunes, the vocal trio of Perfect Harmony, and fireworks in a special Independence Day event. This year, the event will be bigger than before. "We are doing more than last year," said Fred Hughes, director of the New Holland Band.

"Celebrate America!" will be held at The Barn at Paradise Station, 312 Paradise Lane, Ronks, on Thursday, July 3. Food Truck Alley, featuring vendors and activities, will open at 4 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks scheduled for 9:15 p.m. The rain date for the event will be Sunday, July 6. 

Food available for purchase at this year's event will be provided by vendors including Joe on the Go Coffee Co., Penny's Ice Cream, Old Road Pretzels, PA Boys BBQ, and Casey Jones' Restaurant, with The Barn Bistro open for those wishing to purchase wine, beer, and specialty drinks.

Perfect Harmony, which features Prickett, Ric Zimmerman, and Kathryn Williams, will perform, along with the 24-member Celebrate America Chorus. According to Hughes, new songs this year will include "For Good" and "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked," along with patriotic favorites such as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and a medley of Irving Berlin tunes. Katrina King, accompanist for Perfect Harmony, will be featured on piano playing Billy Joel's "Root Beer Rag." "It will be a varied program," noted Hughes, who added that the "1812 Overture" will be special this year with the choir singing the opening verse prior to the start of the aerial show provided by Schaefer Fireworks.

A local radio station will be on-site, as will the Strasburg-Heisler Library, Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, and more area sponsors. Face painting will be provided by Paradise Station.

There is a cost to park for the event, with limited parking at The Barn and overflow parking at the Toy Train Museum. Handicapped-accessible parking is available at The Barn lot. Additional parking this year will be available for a per-car fee at the Strasburg Rail Road, with shuttle service provided to The Barn by Strasburg trains. Train service will begin at 4:15 p.m., with trains departing every 30 minutes until the lot is full.

The Barn at Paradise Station owner and general manager Tyler Prickett said that working together with neighbors on the event is a historical first. "One of the greatest things about this celebration is the collaboration between neighbors and the community," he stated. "This year, Paradise Station will be partnering with the Strasburg Rail Road ... a feature that has never been offered in the property's 55-year history!"

Since 2016, the Prickett family has owned the nine-acre property where The Barn at Paradise Station is located. The venue now offers the fully restored barn, along with a number of train cars, including 38 cabooses, a baggage car, and a mail car. Opportunities to donate to help defray costs of the event will be available. Readers who would like more information may visit www.ParadiseStation.us or call 717-687-5000, ext. 117.