Good morning, Lancaster County. The week's quiet for a beat — and then the long Fourth of July weekend lands all at once, with fireworks in three different towns. Grab your coffee; here's how to plan it.

In today's Lancaster Local:

COMMUNITY NEWS

Why an East Earl bike-shop owner is pedaling from California to the Atlantic

Most of us would call a ride across the county a good day on the bike. Randy Martin signed up to ride across the country.

The 64-year-old from East Earl — who owns the Lancaster Bicycle Shop — is one of two riders on this year's ZOE International team in the Race Across America, the grueling 3,000-mile route from Oceanside, California to the boardwalk in Atlantic City. He and teammate Brad Ortenzi are trading pulls day and night across a dozen states, backed by an eight-person crew, riding for a cause they believe in: ZOE's work protecting kids.

It's the kind of thing you'd expect a 25-year-old to attempt on a dare. Martin is doing it at 64, on purpose, for someone else. "The awareness and funds raised will bring hope… to many," he says. There's something very Lancaster County about that — quietly taking on something enormous because it helps people you'll never meet.

👉 Learn more → gozoe.org

EVENTS

The calendar's light until Friday — then it's all Fourth of July weekend. Here's the run, near to far.

🎆 Lancaster Jaycees Fireworks Show — Lancaster Fairgrounds, Lancaster. Friday, 7 p.m. (rain date June 28). The Jaycees throw a free family night — Touch-a-Truck, face painting, bounce houses, Vesperman's ice cream, kettle corn, live music, and a food stand — then a fireworks show after dark.
More info →

🎺 Lititz Community Band: Patriotic Concert in the Park — Lititz Springs Park, 18 N Broad St, Lititz. Next Wednesday, July 1, 7 p.m. (free). The Lititz Community Band plays an evening of patriotic arrangements in the park — an easy, free way to kick off Fourth of July week.
More info →

🎸 Live Music with Corty Byron — T.J. Rockwell's, Elizabethtown. Friday, July 3, 6–8 p.m. An easygoing Friday-evening set from Corty Byron to start the long weekend.
More info →

🪕 Bad Sneakers at Hillside Spirits Co. — 333 N State St, Ephrata. Friday, July 3, 8 p.m. Live music at the Ephrata distillery with the band Bad Sneakers — cocktails, food, and a relaxed downtown night.
More info →

🏃 49th Annual Ephrata Firecracker 5-Mile — 803 Oak Blvd, Ephrata. Saturday, July 4, morning (about 8 a.m.). A Fourth-of-July tradition in its 49th year — a five-mile race on a new course this summer, put on by Ephrata Rec and the War Memorial Association. Register online ahead of time.
Register →

🎆 Lititz 4th of July — 209th Annual Celebration — Lititz Springs Park, Lititz. Saturday, July 4, all day (gates around noon). The headliner of the weekend: the second-oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the country, now in its 209th year. Expect the Baby Parade, Kid Zone, hometown games, the Queen of the Candles, food, and fireworks. Wristbands support the park's big annual fundraiser.
Get tickets →

🎇 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks Extravaganza at the Star Barn — Stone Gables Estate, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. Saturday, July 4, from 3 p.m. Stone Gables throws its annual Fourth at the historic Star Barn and Ironstone Ranch — self-guided tours, the Shepherd's Staff petting zoo, yard games, campfires, the gift shop, and a big fireworks finish for America's 250th.
More info →

🎆 4th of July Food Truck Event in Marietta — with Fireworks — War Memorial Park, Marietta. Saturday, July 4, 5 p.m. (fireworks at dusk, free). A free, family-friendly Fourth in Marietta — games for the kids, eats from the Mumma's Eats & Treats food truck, and fireworks over the park to close the night.
More info →

Weather

Wednesday, June 24 — A clean, sunny one with a high near 82° — about as good as a midweek June day gets. Great evening to be outside before the holiday rush.

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