LEWISBURG — The pomp and flare of the Fourth of July will be centered in Lewisburg this weekend as more than 25,000 people are expected to gather there to celebrate the United States’ birthday.

Organizer Graham Showalter, a Lewisburg native, has been involved with the celebration since its beginning, and he said he believes it’s the holiday’s raw patriotism that keeps bringing people back to the celebration, in larger numbers, year after year.

“I think they come because it’s their community, and I think they like to be part of the patriotism,” Showalter said. “Americans are patriotic, but they don’t necessarily show their patriotism. But one day of the year, we decide we’re going to wave the flag, and we’re going to share our patriotism with each other, and we all are on the same team.”

Union County’s 15th annual Fourth of July celebration swings into full gear tonight and continues through Saturday, highlighted by the celebration’s parade.

Though the celebration has expanded considerably since its inception to include a fireworks display, concerts and drum and bugle corps exhibitions, Showalter said there is one thing that has remained at the core of the event — veterans.

“I think we have to remember how important the veterans are to this country,” Showalter said. “We wouldn’t be having a Fourth of July if it weren’t for the veterans, ... and so we honor the people that kept our country strong since the first year.”

Today’s festivities get under way with Big Band Nostalgia at 7 p.m. in Wolfe Field, followed by a fireworks extravaganza at 9. Sponsored by RiverWoods, the fireworks take place near Wolfe Field.

The celebration continues Saturday with the parade at 10 a.m. The veterans recognition ceremony begins at 11:30 in the President’s Grove, Loomis Street and University Avenue, Bucknell University.

The picnic and concerts start at noon at the grove and will feature the 28th Infantry Division Band from Hollidaysburg; the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, Reading; Fralinger String Band, Philadelphia; Baltimore Yankee Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps, Baltimore, Md.; Reilly Raiders Senior Drum and Bugle Corps, of Audubon; Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps, of Hawthorne, N.J.; and Re-Creation.

The USO Gala dinner-dance begins with a reception at 6 p.m. in the Terrace Room at Bucknell. Dinner starts at 6:30, the gala program at 7:45 and dancing will be from 8:30 to 11. Cost is $45 per person.