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TORONTO -- In addition to the first community concert staged by the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization, there will be a variety of activities to occupy residents and visitors as they prepare to view the Gem City's fireworks display on the night of July 1.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local disc jockey Rich Coburn will be playing music at the Toronto Memorial Pool. A free hot dog and free bag of potato chips also will be given to the first 200 patrons that day.
The hours of 10 a.m. to noon are reserved for adult swimming at the pool, with open swimming available from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Children also can enjoy the adjacent splash pad.
Admission is $3 for students, $3 for senior citizens and $5 for other adults.
The pool has been booked for a private party after 6 p.m.
Leaders and members of Toronto First Methodist Church have arranged for a bounce house, games and crafts and food outside the church at 518 Main St. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
There is no admission for the event, and attendees are invited to stay and watch the fireworks from there.
The Biasi-Shuma Memorial 5K Run-Walk will return at 8 a.m. that day. Participants may register online up to Friday or at 7 a.m. that day at the Toronto High School football stadium at 300 Myers St., where the race will start.
Registration is $20 with a $2.20 fee for those who register online. Information can be found at the event's Facebook page.
Proceeds go to the Ohio Valley American Heart Association and the United Way of Jefferson County as well as a scholarship for a Toronto High School graduate.
Raising about $18,000 and drawing more than 200 participants, "Last year's run was our biggest to date," said Lexi Biasi, who assists her father, Mike, in coordinating it.
The Biasis said at least 160 people have registered with others expected on the day of the race.
The event has been held during the last several years in memory of Gino Biasi and Mike Shuma.
Biasi, who died at the age of 85 in 2016, was the owner of Valley Converting, a local paper recycling company. An Italian immigrant, he served in the Army in the Korean War and attended Syracuse University on the G.I. Bill. He went on to earn a master's degree in business administration from Xavier University.
Biasi was named the Toronto Chamber of Commerce's Co-Businessman of the Year and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce's Industrialist of the Year.
Local radio listeners may remember hearing Shuma's gruff but enthusiastic voice on the Ohio Valley Game Night program, where he shared his knowledge and love of local high school football.
An employee of TIMET Metals Corp., he also worked for a time at Weirton Millsop Community Center and was a member of the Toronto Rod and Gun Club. He died at the age of 42 following a heart attack.
The scholarship supported by the race is presented by Shuma's family in his name.
Discharged near the city's water treatment plant, the fireworks display can be viewed from many areas of the city beginning at about 10 p.m.
They are being held in memory of Robert "Slim" Neal, who volunteered his time as a licensed pyrotechnician to produce many past displays for the city.
Mayor John Parker said in his former role as the city's safety director, he got to know Neal, who he described as "a fantastic person."
Parker said Neal's free services kept the fireworks affordable for the city and his efforts resulted in the city being known for its fireworks.
"It's more than fitting that they are being held in his name," he said, adding R.J. Stewart, who had assisted Neal in the past, has done an excellent job of overseeing them in recent years.
Parker said the services of Neal and Stewart have kept the fireworks affordable for the city.
He added the display also is possible through the support of Toronto City Council, which allocates city funds for half of their cost; and donations by many individuals, businesses and groups.
"If it weren't for them, we couldn't do it," said Parker, who added, "We're going to put on a great show. People won't be disappointed."
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)