Celebrating America Together
Region returns to parades, fireworks for July 4th
By Kathy Knotts
Street parades, backyard grills and red, white and blue banners herald the celebration of our Independence Day. The crowning touch is rockets bursting in air after sunset to light up the skies. Falling on a Sunday this year, Independence Day marks the end of a weekend-long birthday party for the nation. After very few public events observing Independence Day in 2020, the party is back for 2021 in many places. Here’s a quick guide on where to catch a parade and some fireworks to celebrate our nation.
Since July 4th is a Sunday, some communities will celebrate on alternative dates.
Shady Side Independence Day Parade: Saturday July 3, 10am from Cedarhurst Rd. to the Shady Side Community Center on Snug Harbor Rd. Roads close to traffic at 9:45am: 443-370-8720.
Annapolis Independence Day Parade: Saturday July 3, 10:30am, down West St. from Amos Garrett Blvd., around Church Circle, down Main St., then on Randall St. to Susan Campbell Park: www.Annapolis.gov.
Laurel Parade & Fireworks: Saturday July 3, a parade (11am) starts the celebration, followed by a classic car show (no vendors or live music), flag raising and later fireworks set to music rise from the far side of Laurel Lakes. 9:15pm at Granville Gude Park (Laurel Lakes), 8300 Mulberry St., Laurel: www.laurel4th.org.
Mayo/Edgewater Independence Day Parade & Fireworks: Saturday July 3, parade begins at noon from the American Legion Post 226 parking lot, down Selby Heights to Lou’s and then returns to 214 to River Rd., through Holly Hill and back to the Legion. 4pm the tiki bar opens, with cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, popcorn and cotton candy, face painting, snow cones, raffles, dine on hamburgers and hot dogs, wings and ribs (5-9pm), live music (6-9:30pm) and fireworks (9:40pm): www.facebook.com/groups/post226.
St. Michaels Fireworks: Saturday July 3, bring your picnic to sit on the lawn of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to watch the Independence Day fireworks, hosted by the St. Michaels Fire Dept. (no vendors or live music this year). Museum campus opens 5pm, fireworks begin at dusk: www.cbmm.org.
Sherwood Forest Fireworks: Saturday July 3, this private community show lights up the Severn River; see it by boat, including Watermark’s The Harbor Queen, with light snacks and cash bar (7:30-10:30pm, Annapolis City Dock, $55 w/discounts, rsvp: www.cruisesonthebay.com) or on the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Wilma Lee with beverages and an All-American snack pack (7-10pm, Annapolis City Dock, $95 w/discounts, RSVP: www.amaritime.org).
Glen Burnie Fireworks: Saturday July 3, 9pm, viewing at Sawmill Creek Park (Dorsey Rd.) and Third Ave. Park. Safety zone has been expanded this year, therefore viewing area at Sawmill is smaller than previous years. Parking at Monsignor Slade Catholic School (note no overflow parking available). Food sold at baseball concession stand; https://www.facebook.com/GlenBurnieImprovementAssoc/.
West Annapolis Parade: Sunday July 4, 9am, from Wardour Circle to West Annapolis Elementary.
Annapolis Independence Day: Sunday July 4, choirs gather at People’s Park to sing (9am-noon), then artists and vendors take over West St for the First Sunday Arts Festival (11am-5pm), then there’s dancing in the street on the upper end of Main St. With music by DJ Landis and demos from local dance groups (3-6pm), MC3’s dance company performs on the City Dock Stage (6:30pm) and then the USNA band performs as fireworks rise from a barge anchored in Spa Creek (about 9pm); www.annapolis.gov.
Cape St. Claire Celebration: Sunday July 4, 10am from the Fire Department to the Main Beach; stay for water balloon toss, hula hooping, watermelon-eating contests, patriotic photo booth and snowballs: https://cscia.org/events/july-4th-parade-and-celebration/
Eastport Parade: Sunday July 4, 10:30am, from Eastport Elementary School to Turner Park.
Solomons Independence Day: Sunday July 4, arrive early for the boat parade (noon) to see boats decked out in patriotic finery cruise from Mill Creek up Back Creek, through the harbor, up the narrows and around the island before passing by the boardwalk; stay to stroll the Riverwalk and see the town. Catch a free shuttle from Patuxent High School in Lusby to the Holiday Inn in Solomons to save yourself the parking headache. Fireworks shoot from a barge anchored in the Patuxent River, giving the entire island — plus boaters — front row seats. rsvp to watch aboard the Wm. B. Tennison on a Calvert Marine Museum cruise (8pm, $35: 410-326-2042 x41). Fireworks begin about 9pm, Solomons: www.facebook.com/solomonsbusinessassoc.
Galesville Independence Day Parade: Sunday July 4, 1pm down Main Street, which closes to traffic around 12:45pm: www.galesvilleheritagesociety.org.
Bowie Baysox Star Spangled 4th of July Concert & Fireworks Spectacular: Sunday July 4, begins at 7pm with a live concert by DC Fusion followed by fireworks over the stadium. $15 w/discounts, RSVP: www.baysox.com.
Severna Park Independence Day Parade: Monday July 5, 10am from St. Martin’s in-the-Field Church, to Severna Park High School, to Evergreen Road to B&A Blvd. to Cypress Creek Park: www.gspacc.com.