My 4th of July live music and fireworks destination this year was the Fourth Of July Celebration at Altoona’s Lakemont Park. Live music from The Pines and Bone Jacked led up to the fireworks display.
The Pines kicked off the music. This young gun corps of singer and guitarist (and at one point, drummer) Daman Mills, lead guitarist Logan Warner, bassist and keyboardist Alex Snyder and drummer (and at one point, lead singer) Ben Brumbaugh roused the arriving audience with their wide variety of classic rock, newer rock and hits. It was cool to witness these guys sinking heart and soul into tunes created long before any of them were born – including the Beatles’ “Twist and Shout,” Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” 1970s soul classics from Bill Withers and Grover Washington, and classic rock favorites from Neil Young, Aerosmith, The Sweet, Kiss, Poison and others. They also pulled out numbers from The Killers, Beastie Boys, Sublime, Weezer, Bruno Mars and more; and did a few of their own original songs, including “Want More” and “That’s All Right.”
Bone Jacked then led up to the fireworks with three sets of classic rock and a few country favorites. Singer and guitarist Kip Woodring, bassist and singer D.J. Gates, guitarist and singer Chris Guella, and drummer and singer Terry Wilt kept folks happy with tunes from The Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, CCR, Stray Cats, Eagles, a George Thorogood triple-shot, AC/DC, Steve Miller Band, Pink Floyd, Stevie Ray Vaughan and more. They even inspired some dancing action on the lawn by the time they hit their third set.
Those attending this event got a double fireworks treat, as the neighboring People’s Natural Gas Field set off their own 4th fireworks display following the Altoona Curve’s game vs. Erie. Food was available courtesy of Smokin J’s BBQ, Brain Freezers and Ash & Kris food trucks, and libations were available for purchase as well. The weather cooperated, the mood was fun, and the fireworks from both locations capped a fun Fourth!
These photos show both bands (including pictures of Bone Jacked performing with both fireworks shows happening in the background), the audience, and some highlights from Lakemont Park’s fireworks display. Enjoy!
