A guide to July 4^th in Chesapeake Country

By Michaila Shahan and Kathy Knotts

It’s the birthday of our nation and summer’s biggest party. July 4 is the date the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, although it wasn’t actually signed until August. The 13 colonies had made their official break from Great Britain. Regular observance of the secular  holiday didn’t really become common until after the War of 1812. Americans mark July 4^th with  loud colorful pyrotechnics and cars pulling homemade dioramas on trailers. We fire up the grills for burgers and hot dogs then cool down with watermelon and popsicles. Then we watch the skies explode with light.

Where to find all the Fourth festivities in Chesapeake Country? Keep reading.

July 2 

American Legion Cummings-Behlke Post 226

A parade begins at the Legion (noon) followed by food and drinks sold by the Legion and Woodland Beach VFD; Bubbles Productions brings the cotton candy, popcorn and face paint; live music by DriveTrain (6-9:30pm) and then the fireworks display (9:30pm). Mayo Rd., Edgewater.

St. Michaels Fireworks  

The Shades of Blue Orchestra returns for its seventh performance at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (7-10pm) for Big Band Night and St. Michaels’ fireworks. The orchestra performs at the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand with dancing under the tent, and fireworks beginning at dusk over the Miles River, with a rain date of July 3. Bring chairs and picnic blankets or watch on a boat from the Miles River. Leave non-service dogs at home. Food, ice cream, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase; find tickets at cbmm.org.

July 3 

Chesapeake Beach Fireworks 

Watch the display from Fishing Creek Bridge, Kellam’s Field, Veteran’s Memorial Park or reserve a Night Swim ticket (6:30-8pm) to view from the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, chesapeakebeachwaterpark.com. Bring a chair or a blanket and food (glass containers and alcoholic beverages are prohibited), fireworks begin at dusk. Watch from Rod N’ Reel while listening to one of the free, live bands in their Boardwalk Cafe or Chesapeake Game Room; 9pm fireworks, chesapeakebeachmd.gov. 

Herrington Harbour Fireworks 

Fireworks set off from a barge illuminating Herring Bay. Marina grounds are reserved for members, but the view is great from boats, private docks, lawns or beaches. 8:30-9:30 p.m., 7149 Lake Shore Drive, North Beach, herringtonharbour.com. 

North East County fireworks  

The Salute to Cecil County Veterans 30th Fireworks show will be held at North East Town Park in North East. Military personnel, equipment, and vehicles will be present, along with face painting and a rubber ducky race.  Ceremony begins at 6pm, with a “secret special event” starting at 8pm, free, stoccv.org/our-event.

Glen Burnie Fireworks Display

Fireworks start after sunset, around 9pm at Sawmill Creek Park on Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie. Parking is at Monsignor Slade School and overflow parking is available at the Light Rail Station on B&A Blvd. Leave pets, alcohol, smoking materials at home. Food available at baseball concession stand, gbia.org.

Fireworks over Rock Hall

Celebrate with an old-fashioned celebration at this community on the Eastern Shore. There’s pageants (July 1), fish fry (July 2), pit beef sales (July 2), boat docking contest (July 3) and the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company begins the annual fireworks show over the harbor at 9:15pm Sunday night; parade is July 4 (10am) followed by a festival at the civic center:  rockhallvfc.org.

Sundaes in the Park in Ocean City

Enjoy a tasty treat and a performance from high energy dance music band Mike Hines and the Look at Northside Park in Ocean City beginning at 7pm. After the concert, a small fireworks display will launch over the Assawoman Bay at 9pm. Free activities for children and ice cream available for purchase. Bring lawn chairs to North Side Park, 125^th Street Bayside Ocean City, ococean.com.   

Sherwood Forest 

Take a Watermark cruise to see this neighborhood’s fireworks show over the Severn River with the best seats in town. Beverages available for purchase.  7:30-10:30pm, fireworks start around 9:20pm, leaves from City Dock, Annapolis, $65 w/discounts, RSVP: watermarkjourney.com.

July 4 

Parade Through Severna Park 

Join the pomp and circumstance of a local tradition and the largest parade in Anne Arundel County. March with fellow Severna Park patriots and wave to the crowds. This year’s theme is Celebrating Our Rich History and the Grand Marshall is fourth-generation owner of Goska’s Liquors, Kevin Sosnowski. Children can join the decorated bike (or wagon or trike) parade and win prizes. Registration begins at 9:15am; Parade steps off at 10am at St. Martin’s in the Field Episcopal Church and concludes with a festival at Cypress Creek Park. Sponsored by the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce: 410-647-3900; severnaparkchamber.com.

Shady Side Old Fashioned Fourth

Be a spectator or march along in an Independence Day parade as Shady Side celebrates with decorated bicycles, classic tractors and cars, motorcycles, four-wheelers, floats, horses, marching groups and more. Parade begins at 10am at Cedarhurst Road and wraps up at the Shady Side Community Center: 410-867-2599.

Cape St. Claire Celebration

This community hosts its annual July 4^th parade featuring patriotic and creative floats. Route begins at the CSC Volunteer Fire Department at 10am followed by snowballs, cotton candy and water balloon toss at the Main Beach until noon: cscia.org.

Galesville Gala

Main Street closes for the traditional independence parade where you’ll see decorated tractors, classic cars, golf carts, fire engines and bicycles. Main Street closes at 12:45pm; parade at 1pm, Main St. and Anchors Way, 703-328-6699,  galesvilleheritagesociety.org.

Fireworks and Family Fun Celebration in Queen Anne’s  

Free balloon-twisting, face-painting, bounce houses and funnel cakes are hosted at the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor’s Center on 425 Piney Narrows Road, Chester, starting at 6pm. Fireworks begin approximately at 9:15pm. Free parking at the old outlets on Piney Narrows Road, shuttle provided, qac.org.  

Annapolis Parade and Fireworks Extravaganza 

Beginning at 6:30pm, marching bands, vehicles, floats and more parade down Amos Garrett Boulevard to West Street, following Church Circle into Main Street in the Nation’s old capital. Spectators are invited to view the parade from the sidewalk of any of these streets. After the parade, the United States Naval Academy Band and the Blues & Gold will perform at City Dock beginning at 8pm. A fireworks display will begin approximately at 9:15pm from a barge in the harbor; watch from City Dock, the Naval Academy Bridge, or by boat. The city recommends parking in Knighton Garage or Park Place Garage and taking the free shuttle to Main Street (accessannapolis.com). Watermark boats leave from City Dock (7:15pm), $75 w/discounts, RSVP: watermarkjourney.com.

Baltimore 4th of July Celebration

Baltimore’s Independence Day celebration returns this year with performances from the Navy Band Commodores, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and spoken word from Wordsmith. Enjoy talent from street performers and activities, or head to 401 East Pratt Street at 7:30pm to have a picnic at the Top of the World Observation Level and look down at the city’s festivities from a bird’s-eye view. Fireworks show begins at 9:30pm at the Waterfront Promenade, baltimore.org.

Charles County Fireworks

Good food, local, live music from the Port Tobacco Pickers and pony rides will be at the Charles County Fairgrounds in La Plata before a fantastic fireworks show. The finale promises a “digital pyro-musical display shot off and thundering to a multicultural musical blast.” Gates open at 3pm, event from 4pm-9pm. charlescountyfair.com. 

Solomons Fireworks Celebration 

Take the whole family to enjoy live music performances, patriotic readings, an interactive, American-history themed treasure hunt for kids, and an aerial fly-by. Fireworks show starts at around 9:20pm from a barge located 800 feet off the shoreline. Watch from the Solomons riverwalk or by boat. Free sunblock, water, bug spray and hand sanitizer will be available at a hospitality tent on Alexander Street. Head to the island early for the boat parade at noon. Parking is available in the Glascock field across from the Calvert Marine Museum and at Annmarie Gardens, where a free shuttle will be running beginning at 4pm. Solomons Island Boardwalk, 14441 Solomons Island Road South, Solomons: solomonsmaryland.com.   

Capitol Independence Day Parade and Fireworks on the Mall 

Join thousands of spectators along Constitution Avenue to watch the parade of bands, floats, balloons, celebrities and more head from 7^th to 17^th Street. The parade will kick off at 11:45am. Sit on the steps of the National Archive building or watch from the sides of the route. In the evening, gather along the National Mall to experience one of the largest fireworks shows in the nation let off from either side of the Lincoln Memorial Reflection pool at 9:09pm. For more to do in D.C. on the 4th, visit nps.gov/index.htm.   

July 5 

Ocean City Fireworks Show 

Watch a performance by American Idol  contestant and Salisbury native Jay Copeland at North Side Park in Ocean City. Concert begins at 8 p.m., admission is free; North Side Park, 125^th Street Bayside Ocean City. Or, head downtown to the Caroline Street Stage for live music beginning at 8pm. Afterwards take a walk down to the beach between the amusement pier and 3^rd street to watch the unique, new fireworks show from Celebration Fireworks Company beginning at 9:30pm. This year’s show promises to include some exciting, non-traditional surprises. Ococean.com.