Fourth of July Committee Treasurer Gary Weaver announces the inclusion of fireworks in this year's celebration.

The most exciting news for Lawncrest residents came at the middle of last night’s Lawncrest Community Association meeting: the Fourth of July Committee announced the inclusion of fireworks in the 95th Annual July 4th celebration.

Thanks to the Greater Philadelphia Traditions Fund and a bill passed by City Council — with the help of U.S. Rep. Bob Brady and Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez — Lawncrest will put on a fireworks display at dusk on July 3, bringing the day’s festivities to an end.

This is a particularly significant win for the LCA, since the neighborhood was unable to have fireworks last year due to budget constraints. And after countless volunteer hours, Gary Weaver, treasurer of the Fourth of July Committee, announced the good news last night, in addition to other facets of the celebration.

With a theme of We Salute Our Veterans, the celebration will kick off with the parade at 9 a.m., followed by a flag raising ceremony at the Lawncrest Rec Center.

Some of the festivities are as follows:

• Baby parade — 1 p.m.
• Classic car show — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Children’s rides — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Food court — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Flea market — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Bingo — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Musical entertainment — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Some of the new additions to the day include Heavy Hittas Boxing Club, which will host a 15-match youth boxing event and two youth baseball games sponsored by the Lawncrest Lions Youth Athletic Association.

While all events are free, the LCA is still seeking donations and volunteers. For more information and full details of the day’s events, see our calendar listing.

Also at last night’s meeting…2nd District Lt. Tomlin provided crime statistics as they compare to this time last year. While robberies are down 25 percent, burglaries are up 20 percent and thefts from autos are up 33 percent. Overall, crime is down 16 percent in the area for the first part of the year, as compared to last year. In May 2009, there were 51 crimes, There were 50 this May…Town Watch President Ken Hyers announced the LCA’s participation in the Streets Department’s Tire Round-Up Program. For each tire dropped off at the Area 6 drop-off site (Jardel Rec Center), mentioning No. 006 will put $.50 in the LCA fund.