Marisa Gingerich, 13, center, hands a paddle to her sister Alexa, 15, both of Springettsbury Township, after launching a canoe with their grandfather, Mike Gingerich, of Manchester Township, at Lake Redman. (Bill Kalina)

Despite chances for thunderstorms on July 4, local event organizers are confident that their Independence Day activities will be dry and well attended.

There is a chance for scattered thunderstorms early in the morning and late in the day Wednesday, according to Kevin Fitzgerald, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

If the thunderstorms come, they could bring some brief stints of heavy rain and a "quick" half inch of precipitation, he said.

However, high temperature in the low 90s is expected for Wednesday, Fitzgerald said.

Though the York County Cultural Alliance has a July 5 rain date for its 34th annual Fourth of July celebration, the organization doesn't expect to use it, said Mary Winkleman, the alliance's campaign director.

More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the annual event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at the York Expo Center at 334 Carlisle Ave. in West Manchester Township.

There have only been one or two times that the weather interrupted the annual music-and-fireworks celebration, but not in recent years, Winkleman said.

"Everyone's going to feel like we do," she said. "They'll be out to hear great music and see the fireworks. We're a tough and hardy group. Oh come on. We'll be there."

Springettsbury Township will present a fireworks show after the 7 p.m. Urban Guerilla Orchestra concert Wednesday at the township's park amphitheater at 1501 Mount Zion Road.

That event's rain date is Sunday, July 8, said David Wendel director of the township's parks and recreation department.

However, the township has not had to use rain dates in recent years, as the weather has been cooperative for the celebration plans, he said.

Wendel said he doesn't believe that forecasts involving chances for thunderstorms will discourage attendance for the July 4 events.

"With any outdoor event, people are going to be apprehensive about the weather," he said. "But I don't think it will keep them from showing up for something they want to enjoy."

-Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.