Fourth of July Festivities for Chesapeake Bay Sailors
Here’s our roundup of fireworks displays and other Fourth of July festivities for sailors and their families on and along the Chesapeake Bay. Did we miss your favorite one? If so, shoot a note to our editor and we will add it to the mix. Be sure to visit event websites for last-minute detail changes or weather delays:
Wednesday, July 2
Kent Narrows
Hosted on the lawn next to the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor’s Center. Bring chairs or blankets and enjoy the complimentary family activities (face painting, a photo booth, bounce house), along with food trucks. Free parking at the “old outlets” located at 59 Piney Narrows Road in Chester. Parking opens at 5:30 p.m. and a complimentary shuttle service starts at 6 p.m. The Visitors Center parking lot and Ferry Point Park will be closed to the public. Fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. (rain date July 3). qac.org
Thursday, July 3
Chesapeake Beach, MD: 5:30 to 10 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial, Kellam’s Field, Bayfront Park. chesapeakebeachmd.gov
North East, MD: The Salute to Cecil County Veterans runs from 4 to 10 p.m. at North East Town Park. There will be veterans service organizations raising funds, military equipment, family-oriented activities, and fireworks around 9:20 p.m. stoccv.org/our-event
Oxford, MD: Stay tuned for more details on the Town of Oxford website: oxfordmd.gov.
Rock Hall, MD: Fireworks over the harbor at 9 p.m. On Friday, July 4, there will be a flat five run/walk at 8 a.m., Independence Day parade at 10 a.m., and Civic Center festivities at 11 a.m. rockhallmd.com
Friday, July 4
Annapolis, MD: The Independence Day Parade runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m., starting at Amos Garrett Boulevard and West Street and ending at Susan Campbell Park. Annapolis launches its fireworks from a floating barge in the harbor at 9:15 p.m. For the best views, be sure to claim your spot around 8 p.m. visitannapolis.org
Baltimore, MD: The Inner Harbor Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with an afternoon picnic at West Shore Park followed by a kickoff celebration at 6 p.m. with DJ C. James at the Amphitheater. There will be live music by Avenue 66 at 7 p.m. on the Waterfront Promenade, a Star Spangled celebration concert by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Rash Field at 8 p.m., and a drone and fireworks show over the water at 9:30 p.m. baltimore.org
Cambridge, MD: Fireworks are set off from Gerry Boyle at Great Marsh Park on the Choptank River. Fireworks start at dusk. Also, Choptank Riverboats has a July 4th Holiday Dinner Cruise starting at 6pm leaving from Suicide Bridge Restaurant, Hurlock on Cabin Creek.
Easton, MD: The carnival will kick-off with live music at 6 p.m., followed by opening ceremonies at 7 p.m., and fireworks after dusk. In the event of rain, the fireworks will be pushed to July 5.
Kinsale, VA: From 5 to 9:15 p.m., there will be food and live music at The Slips Marina. If coming by boat, you can reserve a spot at The Slips for the day or bring a chair and enjoy the show from land. From 7:30 to 8 p.m., dressed up boats parade by the marina and under the bridge. A grand fireworks display by the fire department lights up the Yeocomico River from 9:15 to 9:35 p.m. the-slips.com/july-4th
Newport News, VA: 6 to 9 p.m. at Victory Landing Park. Stars in the Sky will feature great food, live music, festive entertainers, and a fireworks display over the James River at 9 p.m. sharp. Admission and parking are free. nnparksandrec.org
Norfolk, VA: The 42nd annual Fourth of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks returns to Town Point Park at the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront from 5 to 10 p.m. Relax on the lawn and enjoy an evening of All-American fare, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, cotton candy, along with live musical entertainment from military brass bands. The fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. festevents.org
Ocean City, MD: Two free events begin at 6:30 p.m. Downtown at the N. Division Street Beach there will be a free music celebration on the Caroline St. Stage. Afterwards, fireworks will fill the sky over the ocean. The other event takes place Uptown at Northside Park on 125th Street. A free music celebration starts off the evening. Then, enjoy a spectacular fireworks display. For both events, bring a beach chair or blanket and arrive early. ococean.com
Solomons, MD: Free events all day are open to the public. Flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Watermen’s Memorial (entrance to Solomons Island), followed by a children’s bike parade (10:45 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. start at Our Lady Star of the Sea). The First Maryland Regiment Colonial Reenactors Encampment takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corbin Nature Pavilion at the Calvert Marine Museum. Live concert at 7 p.m. at the Boardwalk Pavilion and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. on the Patuxent River in front of the Riverside Boardwalk. The Solomons Fourth of July Boat Parade takes place on Mill Creek at noon. Show your American pride and dress up your boat or your person and join in on the fun (stars and stripes only). The start location is: 38.331264 by 76.450065. There is no registration; just show up and jump in line. For more information, contact [email protected] and stay on channel 68 at the time of the parade.
Washington, DC: The National Independence Day Parade kicks off on Constitution Avenue between 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW at 11:45 a.m. and proceeds west to 17th Street. There will be marching bands, fife and drum corps, military units, giant balloons, equestrians, drill teams, and more. The Capitol Fourth Concert will be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the US Capitol from 8 to 9:30 p.m. (free and open to the public; gates open at 3 p.m.). Fireworks on the National Mall start at 9:09 p.m. and will be launched from both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. nps.gov/foju
Photo by Tom Konisiewicz
Yorktown, VA: At 8 a.m., the Independence Day 8K/5K run/walk begins at York High School. The parade on Water and Main Streets takes place at 9 a.m., followed by family games and kids’ activities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing. There will also be live music, a hot dog eating contest, a balloon artist, and more. At 7 p.m., the Fifes and Drums of York Town will perform, and there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Jazz band concert at 8 p.m. at Riverwalk Landing Stage, and fireworks over the York River at 9:15 p.m. visityorktown.org
Saturday, July 5
Havre de Grace, MD: 2 p.m. Independence Day Parade. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the Hutchins Park Concert (music starts at 5:30); enjoy a free performance by Tidewater Adams. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Fireworks will be visible from this location starting at 9:15 p.m. The Concord Point Park Concert will feature patriotic music by the Maryland Military Band (free, no tickets required). Concert starts at 7:30 p.m.; food and drink will be available for purchase. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m., launched from a barge in the Susquehanna River, just off of Concord Point Park. hdgjuly4th.com
Middle River, MD: At print time The Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County was raising money to support the annual fireworks extravaganza. To learn more visit mtabc.org or visit their Facebook page for updates.
St. Michaels, MD: The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will host Big Band Night, inviting guests to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets for an evening of music, dancing, and fireworks along the Miles River. 7 to 10 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.). $7 for members, $12 for non-members (cbmm.org). Fireworks are scheduled for shortly after dusk in St. Michaels Harbor. Rain date July 6. stmichaelsmd.gov
