Darrell Sapp, Post-Gazette
	People watch the City of Pittsburgh's Fourth of July fireworks display from the walkway of the West End Bridge last night.

By Joe Fahy
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For the third straight year, Dr. Hilda Templeton hosted a July 4 party yesterday at her Gateway Towers condominium, offering her guests a shelter from the damp weather and a bird's-eye view of the Downtown fireworks.

	Darrell Sapp, Post-Gazette
	Dr. Hilda Templeton points out some of the sights from the window of her Downtown apartment yesterday to her cousin, Lenore Kalen of Boynton Beach, Florida. Dr. Templeton hosted a July 4th fireworks party for family and friends.
	Martha Rial, Post-Gazette
	Melisa Chipangila, of Mt. Lebanon, waits for the skies to clear while people-watching yesterday at the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta at Point State Park. It was her first Fourth of July experience at the park since arriving from Zambia a year and a half ago. She is a junior at Point Park University. MORE COVERAGE More photos of Independence Day celebrations and events around the region

"Isn't this fabulous?" she asked as she watched, through her window, the spectacular display that culminated the last day of the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta.

After a gloomy, showery morning and intermittent rain that continued into the early evening, skies cleared enough to accommodate the fireworks and the throngs that squished their way into soggy Point State Park.

Pittsburgh's fireworks went off as scheduled, but some suburban communities -- including Mt. Lebanon, Cranberry, Shaler, McDonald and Monongahela -- postponed their displays last night.

A psychiatrist, Dr. Templeton moved from New Jersey to Pittsburgh in 2004 after taking a job as a medical and research specialist for Pfizer Inc. She could have lived anywhere in the region, but chose Gateway Towers for its Downtown location and riverfront view.

She is among an increasing number of people who are moving Downtown, according to Patty Burk, director of housing and economic development for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

More than 2,800 people currently live Downtown, Ms. Burk said. While the total grew by about 320 since 2000, it is expected to increase by about the same number in each of the next few years, she said.

Some who live Downtown are young and single, while others, like Dr. Templeton, 64, are empty-nesters, according to the Downtown Partnership. Like her, they tend to be well-educated, enjoy cultural events and lead active lifestyles.

"I've never been to the theater or the symphony more," said Dr. Templeton, noting that she formerly lived only a half-hour from New York City.

Though she frequently travels, she also works from home and enjoys the bustling activity outside her window.

"This is the pulse of the city," she said, looking at the crowds assembling before the fireworks display.

"It's alive. It's much different from suburbia."

A study last year by Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Economic Development found that half of all recent movers to Downtown and the North Shore were younger than 45, while 32 percent were 45 to 54.

Nearly nine out of 10 were single, and most had above-average incomes.

More than half of younger movers came from beyond the region and many middle-aged movers came from elsewhere in the city. Most older movers came from the suburbs.

Downtown occupancy continues to improve, according to a recent market report by Integra Realty Resources and the Downtown Partnership. It found that three Downtown rental projects and five condominium developments will add more than 700 units.

Ms. Burk noted several initiatives that will further enhance living Downtown.

Later this month, unarmed "safety ambassadors" will be working with police and walking the Downtown streets, she said. This fall, wireless Internet access will be enhanced. Dr. Templeton said she especially looked forward to a grocery store scheduled to open next year in Piatt Place.

"This is the spirit of Pittsburgh," she said as she and her guests looked out on the fireworks. "People like us, enjoying the holiday, just being together."

Authorities reported one fireworks-related mishap yesterday, in Westmoreland County, where a man was severely injured in the explosion of a homemade firework.

Michael Stasenko, 20, of Washington Township, suffered injuries to his chest and abdomen and taken by helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital, where he underwent surgery last night.

In Point State Park, enthusiasm was high despite periods of rain earlier in the evening.

Tom Knouff, 20, of Bethel Park, Nick Schrello, 15, of Baldwin Borough, and Danielle Davis, 26, of Brookline, all held umbrellas over their heads as they waited on the lawn outside the State Office Building.

Despite the threat of rain, Ms. Davis said she had to attend.

"It's something we do every year," she said. "It wouldn't be the Fourth without coming down here."