By Hayden Schultz, New Castle News

With Independence Day landing on a Thursday this year, the weekend is prefaced by Fourth of July festivities.

On Thursday, Pearson Park is hosting its Independence Day Celebration. Food trucks, an inflatable playground, face paintings, antique firetruck rides and music by the Red Coat Brass Band and DJ Spidey provide entertainment until the fireworks later in the night.

Following the festivities, the weekend hosts a variety of events including a community breakfast at American Legion Post 343, a radio controlled aircraft exhibition and the Praying in Color event hosted by the Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center.

•PEARSON PARK INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: July 4, Pearson Park, 179 Pearson Park Drive, New Castle. Fireworks at approximately 10 p.m.

•FISH FOR FREE DAY: July 4, Moraine State Park. No fishing license is required. All other fishing regulations still apply. Fishing equipment can be picked up at Moraine State Park Office on South Shore. Office opens at 8 a.m. and all fishing equipment must be returned before 4 p.m.

•RED, WHITE & BLUE AT MINES & MEADOWS: featuring fireworks, July 6, Mines & Meadows, 1307 Old Route 18, Wampum.

•COMMUNITY BREAKFAST: 8 to 11 a.m. July 6, American Legion Post 343, 134 N. Jefferson St. $10 for adults, $7 for children, free to all veterans with ID. (724) 658-3990.

•RADIO CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT FUN FLY, EXHIBITION AND SWAP MEET: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 6, Shaker Woods Field, 44337 County Line Road, Columbiana, Ohio. Sponsored by Mahoning County Model Aircraft Club. Food and beverages available for purchase, 50/50 drawing. No drones permitted. Free. Visit www.MCmodelClub.org for more information.

•PRAYING IN COLOR: 7 p.m. July 7 through noon July 11, Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center. Explore praying in new ways with Paulette Kirschensteiner. No art experience required; supplies provided. Cost is $340. To register, visit vmesc.org or call (724) 964-8886.

Hayden Schultz is a student at Slippery Rock University and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns. Hayden is interning with the New Castle News.