Community Corner

Fourth of July Festivities in the Region

Fireworks, ceremonies, parades, festivals and more await those ready to celebrate Independence Day.

Sparklers and snap pops, hot dogs and lemonade, parades, ceremonies and festivals – it must mean the Fourth of July is around the corner as plans for fireworks displays and everything red, white and blue starts to take shape.

Here’s a list of things to do, places to go and people to see throughout the region. Have a safe and Happy 4th!

SEVERNA PARK

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10 a.m.

The Severna Park Independence Day Parade, sponsored by the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce,begins at 10 a.m, stepping-off at St. Martin's In-The-Field Church on Benfield Road and traveling down to Riggs Avenue to Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard and culminating with a festival at Cypress Creek Park.  Applications are being accepted for community floats. For more information, call Linda Zahn at 410-647-3900.

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SOUTH COUNTY

10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

The Kiwanis Club parade begins at 10 a.m. when Shady Side Road will be closed for about an hour. A Bay Winds Concert performance begins at noon at the Captain Salem Avery Museum where members of the military will receive a coupon (with proper military ID) for a free sandwich and lemonade from the food stand. An old-fashioned baking contest will be held at the museum at noon. Admission and children's activities are free.

Captain Salem Avery Museum 1418 EW Shady Side Road, Shady Side, MD 20764

Call 410-867-4486 or visit http://www.shadysidemuseum.org for details.

  • Chesapeake Beach fireworks begin at dusk on July 3. Arrive early for parking. Fireworks are discharged from barge on the bay.

ANNAPOLIS

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. seating is limited

  • Immigrants become American citizens at this annual  Fourth of July Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony held at the William Paca House & Garden where visitors can also take a tour of the home and gardens from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and see a Revolutionary War encampment with costumed interpreters portraying Paca and members of his household, make patriotic crafts, and hear a performance by Maggie Sansone, a hammered dulcimer artist.

William Paca House & Garden 186 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Visit http://www.annapolis.org/index.asp?pageid or call  410-267-8146 for information. Free admission.

  • Annapolis Independance Day Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. at Amos Garrett Boulevard proceeding down West Street to Church Circle, down Main to Randall Street, then to the Market House where there will be live entertainment followed by the Naval Academy Band playing at 8 p.m.
  • Annapolis Fireworks Display starts at about 9:15 p.m. The Spa Creek Bridge will be closed starting at 9 p.m. for spectators. Viewing areas include all of the downtown area and the public areas along the Naval Academy Bridge.

Downtown parking will be restricted in many areas but is available at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium off of Rowe Boulevard where a free shuttle to the Lawyer’s Mall in front of the State House  will be  provided by the City of Annapolis,  

The shuttle  will operate from 4 p.m. to midnight. There is a $5 charge for parking atthe stadium; the shuttle to downtown is free.

WEST COUNTY

  • Bowie: Allen Pond Park., entertainment, food and fireworks from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
  • Prince George's County Stadium:  Fireworks display after the game at 4101 NE Crain Hwy, Bowie. Call 301- 464-4865 for tickets and information.
  •  Fort Meade: Celebration from noon to 10:30 p.m. Open to the public. Free admission.  DJ, Band, Food/beverage vendors, novelty vendors, Karate demonstration and fireworks at Routes 175 (Annapolis Road) and Reece Road.

 

 EASTERN SHORE

11 a.m.

Independence Day Commemoration and Ceremony

The Aspen Institute and the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society are co-sponsoring an Independence Day Commemoration and Ceremony with author Gregory A. Stiverson who will give the keynote address followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at William Paca’s grave site, a procession and presentation of the Colors, and music by the Chesapeake Bay Community Band. For details, call  410-758-3010 or visit Aspen Institute 2010 Carmichael Rd., Queenstown, MD 21658

BALTIMORE

Ports America Chesapeake Fourth of July Celebration

Visitors to Baltimore will  see a fireworks show at the Ports America Chesapeake Fourth of July from 4 to 10 p.m. Music by the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Band is from 4 to 6 p.m. and the Naval Academy's  Electric Brigade will perform from 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater, at Pratt and Light Streets.

Fireworks begin above the Inner Harbor At 9:30 p.m. For the best views, Visitors can enjoy the fireworks from the harbor or surrounding areas, including Canton, Federal Hill, Fell’s Point and Harbor East.  Those traveling to the downtown area are encouraged to ride the MTA Bus, Metro Subway and Light Rail.

7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Independence Day Deck Party

Party at the Inner Harbor at the American backyard barbecue favorites served with local beer, wine, and assorted sodas. Overlook the Inner Harbor high above the crowds and enjoy a great view of the fireworks. Live music, special tours, cannon firings and more.

Baltimore Inner Harbor , Baltimore , Maryland

Call 410-539-1797 for information.

 The cost is $65/adults; $25/youth 17 and under; $50/members; $20/youth members

WASHINGTON D.C.

The Independence Day Parade begins at 11:45 a.m. on Constitution Avenue and 7th Street  to 17th Street.  See a map of the parade route.

The Fourth of July fireworks on the National Mall start at dark, about 9:15 pm.
from the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool and light up the sky over the Washington Monument. Rain Date is July 5. For other events in the area, click here.


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