HERKIMER, N.Y., May 12, 2026— Herkimer County Community College will host a community fireworks celebration on Wednesday, July 1. The event returns to campus as the Herkimer County Fire in the Sky Palooza.
The evening will feature food trucks, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and a
spectacular fireworks display. All activities will take place at Wehrum Stadium, with fireworks launched north of the reservoir.
Live entertainment will kick off with Gridley Paige from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a special
performance by the Syracuse Symphony from 7:30 p.m. until dusk. The Syracuse Symphony performance is made possible by an endowment made to the Herkimer County College Foundation by the late Robert H. Wood, a longtime resident of Ilion.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of America, the Herkimer County 250th Revolutionary War Commission will offer special commemorative activities throughout the evening.
Shuttles will be available from all campus parking lots and the Herkimer High School parking lot. Limited seating will be available in the stadium bleachers. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. The event is free to the public, with the exception of food trucks and concessions. Coolers and animals will not be permitted.
To support the success of this community event, organizers are actively seeking sponsors to help cover the cost of fireworks, activities, and other related expenses.
“Sponsorship support is essential to making this event possible,” said event organizer Jim Bono. “It’s a meaningful way for local businesses and community members to give back, gain visibility, and be part of a celebration that brings our community together.”
Sponsorship opportunities and benefits are available at http://www.herkimer.edu/palooza.
For more information about the event or to become a sponsor, contact Jim Bono at
vchenzo@aol.com.
About Herkimer County Community College:
Located in central New York State, just off the NYS Thruway exit 30, Herkimer County Community College is one of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Herkimer County Community College offers a quality and affordable educational experience and is ranked among the top two-year colleges in the nation based on transfer and graduation rates. Herkimer County Community College offers a variety of associate degree and certificate programs in art, business, communication arts, criminal justice and law, education, healthcare and service, liberal arts and sciences, and STEM, and is a leading provider of fully online degree programs. The student body of approximately 2,200 students hails from throughout the nation and several foreign countries. With on-campus housing, a nationally ranked athletics program, and a variety of student activities, clubs and events, Herkimer County Community College students enjoy the complete college experience. Herkimer County Community College is a fundamental contributor to the economic development of Herkimer County and the South-Central Adirondack region. More
information is available at http://www.herkimer.edu.
