The 61st Annual Jacobus BLAST will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at Jacobus Community Park (1 S Pleasant Ave) , running from 8:30 AM through the evening fireworks. This long-standing Independence Day tradition brings together local families, community organizations, live entertainment, and patriotic ceremonies for a full day of celebration.
The day begins with the Children’s Parade, “Celebrate Freedom,” at 9:00 AM, with participants gathering at 8:30 AM on Franklin Street in the Salem Christian Church back parking lot. At 9:15 AM, an opening ceremony will be held at the flagpole area, honoring military service members and officially launching the day’s events.
All day long, the park will be filled with activities, food, and community booths, including:
- Commercial and community displays
- Food and craft vendors
- Raffle stand
- Village Library book sale (9:00 AM–3:00 PM, Ambulance Building Bay)
- Lions Club booth (9:00 AM–9:30 PM) featuring broom sales and rocking chair raffle supporting medical equipment donations to Uganda missions
- Blood pressure screenings by the Jacobus Lions Club Ambulance Crew (midway location)
- Chicken BBQ benefiting the Jacobus Fire Company (beginning at 11:00 AM until sold out)
Family-friendly and children’s activities include:
- Kids Patriotic Passport Fun (NEW!) – 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (pickup at Lions Club booth)
- Children’s Games – 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Face painting by Dallastown National Art Honor Society – 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Sager Farms Petting Zoo (NEW!) – 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
- Kids Tractor Pull – registration at 1:00 PM, competition begins at 1:30 PM (sponsored by Kim and Lance Beard)
- Cake Walk – registration at 4:30 PM, walk begins at 5:00 PM
- Atomic Bounce inflatables (NEW!) – 4:30 PM–8:30 PM
Live music and entertainment will run throughout the day as part of the Smith Village Music Fest (10:00 AM–6:00 PM), sponsored by Smith Village Furnishings:
- 10:00 AM – Set Free (bluegrass and gospel)
- 12:00 PM – Whiskey & Wildflowers (acoustic country)
- 2:00 PM – Tonia (hits from the 1940s–2000s)
- 4:00 PM – Jake Mach (classic and modern country)
Evening entertainment on the ball field (6:00 PM–8:30 PM) includes:
- Emigsville Band – 6:30 PM
- Dallastown Fife & Drum Corps and drumline performances – later evening program
The celebration concludes with the traditional patriotic finale:
- 9:15 PM – National Anthem and “America the Beautiful” performed by McKenna Spangler
- Salute to those who serve (baseball diamond)
- Fireworks at dusk (approximately 9:15 PM)
Additional traditions include a Boy Scouts flag retirement station for properly retiring worn U.S. flags, available throughout the day.
A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, July 5 beginning at 12:00 PM
The Jacobus BLAST is supported by community partners including the Jacobus Lions Club, helping ensure the long-standing tradition continues to bring residents and visitors together for a full day of celebration, service, and small-town pride.
