Members of the Chester Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6450 Color Guard led the way for the community’s Independence Day parade in 2024. Residents of Chester will gather in observance of the nation’s birth Saturday, with a full day of activities. (File photo)

CHESTER – As with celebrations for more than two decades, the Chester community will come together Saturday in observance of Independence Day, with a slate of activities to include the dedication of a new mural paying tribute to the city’s history.

The celebration will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday with the annual Freedom Run 5K walk and run, sponsored by Hancock County Savings Bank.

Those wishing to participate should arrive no later than 8:15 a.m., with final registration closing at 8:45 a.m. The cost to take part is $25, with registration available online, at the race site on Carolina Avenue, as well as at Hancock County Savings Bank and Summit Physical Therapy in Chester.

The race will start and end at 817 Carolina Ave.

Awards for the race will be given to the top 3 runners and walkers in each age group, both male and female.

A ceremony has been scheduled for 11 a.m. to dedicate the new Rock Springs Park mural recently completed under the Jennings Randolph Bridge.

Painted by Pittsburgh artist Kyle Holbrook as part of a project organized by the Montani Outreach Movement, the mural pays tribute to the history of Rock Springs Park, and amusement park which once called Chester home.

“As America prepares to celebrate 250 years, it’s important to remember that our nation’s history is not only found in famous landmarks and history books,” said Holbrook. “It’s also found in places like Rock Springs Park, where generations of families came together and built memories that became part of the identity of an entire region.”

Also at 11 a.m., the Chester Lions Club’s 4th of July Car Show will be held at Chester City Park, welcoming all makes, models and years of cars, motorcycles and trucks.

Registration is $10 per entry, beginning at 10 a.m., with the show taking place until 3 p.m.

There will be 36 awards including Best of Show, Best GM, Best Ford, Best Mopar, Best Motorcycle and many more. Dash plaques will be provided to the first 170 registrants. Door prizes will be given every 15 minutes to registrants.

A talent show will be held at the from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the park stage, with live music set from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., including a performance by Blue Bayou, a musical group in tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival and Linda Ronstadt.

The annual Duck Race, organized with assistance from the Sacred Heart Ladies Guild, will set off at noon, with a stream of water carrying the ducks down a portion of Carolina Avenue.

Ducks will be available for adoption, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, at a cost of $5 per duck

The city’s parade will set off at 4 p.m., with lineup at 3 p.m.

Other activities include the Sons of the American Legion offering meatball sandwiches, hot dogs and more at the Legion Hall beginning at 11 a.m., with a variety of craft and artisan vendors and food trucks on hand from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The day will conclude with a fireworks display at 10 p.m.