Fireworks and the York Symphony Orchestra at the Expo Center is a York tradition for the 4th of July. This year, the concert featured the band Waitin' on a Train, along with the YSO, the York Youth and Junior Symphonies, the Symphony Chorus, and soloist Laura Heydt-Adams. Together with the fireworks, it was a spectacular night -- and the band Hog Maw played after the fireworks for those folks waiting for the traffic to thin.

What a way to celebrate our independence and those brave men and women who ensure our freedom today and throughout the decades.

The Cultural Alliance is thrilled to present this event. It is still free and open to the public thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors -- The Bon-Ton, Susquehanna Real Estate, Glatfelter Insurance Group, York Newspaper Co., and the York Expo Center -- who, despite the economy, support the 4th of July annually.

Our media sponsors were Smooth Jazz 92.7 and 101 The Rose.

Also, this year students from The Art Institute of York collected food for the food bank.

There is no way to express our thanks to those in attendance who donated when our volunteers passed the bucket. Your help is most appreciated.

And of course we couldn't forget to mention those wonderful volunteers. They were terrific. Everyone contributed to a wonderful 4th of July in 2012.

Joanne Riley

President

The Cultural Alliance of York