For this weeks we-source Wednesday I put together a guide to help families plan how they’d like to celebrate Independence Day. From festive food and concerts to patriotic parades and fireworks, there are tons of options all over Maryland and DC during this long Fourth of July weekend.  From our family to yours, we wish you a Happy 4th of July!

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CHARLES COUNTY


Fireworks at Hawthorne Country Club
Date: July 3, 2018
Time: Dusk
Location: Hawthorne Country Club, LaPlata MD
Details: Fireworks Display available on site to members. Must have a parking permit. Don’t have a permit? No fear, park at the Baptist church Off Hawthorne Road for great views.
More Information: http://www.thehawthornecountryclub.com

 

All American Splash!

Date: Wednesday, July 4

Time: During open swim hours

Location: All Charles County Indoor and Outdoor Pool Locations

Details: Celebrate Independence Day

with a splash! Come to the pool on July 4th wearing red, white, or blue and pay only $2 for admission at any of our six pool locations during our regular open swim hours — Noon to 5 p.m.

Age Group: Open to All Ages

Cost: $2/person wearing red, white, or blue

Event Link

 

4th of July Watermelon Bash

Town of La Plata

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Location:  La Plata Town Hall

Details: Celebrate the 4th of July at Town Hall.  Join the Town of La Plata for hot dogs, games, wet fun and plenty of watermelon!

Cost: Free

More Information: www.townoflaplata.org 

 

4th of July Celebration & Fireworks

Charles County Fairgrounds

Date:  July 4, 2018

Time: Gates open at 3 p.m./Live Music 5-9 p.m./Fireworks at dusk

Location: 8440 Fairground Road, La Plata, MD

Details: The Charles County Fair Board will be presenting a new and improved Fourth of July Fireworks demonstration (brought to you by Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts, LLC) this year, a show that has never been seen or heard in the county before.

Before the fireworks display, come and enjoy some great food and outstanding live music from some local talented people. The grand finale of our celebration will be a digital pyro-musical display shot off and thundering to a multicultural musical blast! Free admission!

Cost: Admission and parking are free. Additional fees for food and beverage.

More Information: http://www.charlescountyfair.com/

 

4th of July Celebration & Fireworks

Town of Indian Head

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: Opens at 3:30 p.m./Fireworks 9:10 PM

Location: The Village Green and Pavilion,100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head

Details:The Day kicks off with a Patriotic Opening Ceremony at 3:30pm. There will be amusement ride (4pm-8pm), live entertainment (4pm-8pm: DJ Rockin’ Roger; 5pm-9pm: One Louder Band), and food available for sale. No pets of any kind or alcoholic beverages permitted.

Cost: Free admission.

More Information: http://www.townofindianhead.org

 

Celebrate Charles: A Fun-Filled Fourth

Regency Furniture Stadium

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Location: 11765 St. Linus Drive, Waldorf, Maryland 20602

Details: Celebrate Charles is a family-friendly Independence Day event with live music, food, amusements and fireworks.   Browse local food vendors, plus artisans and crafters in the Best of Charles County section. Rain or Shine.

Fun for the whole family!

• Enjoy delicious local food and drink from Calvert Kettle Corn, Mike’s Chicken & Ribs, Dooley’s Backyard BBQ, Tasty Creations, Mike’s BBQ & Catering, Circus Ice Cream, Kona Ice, Wee Bee Coffee, GROD Jerk Ribs & BBQ, Love’s Tasty Chicken, Softee Swerve, Smokers Delight BBQ, and more!

• Kids of all ages can play all day in the Family Fun Zone. 

• Enjoy fantastic live entertainment performed by Sam Grow (8:00 p.m.) and No Green Jellybeenz (4:30 p.m.)

• Take in a thrilling baseball game as the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs take on the Somerset Patriots.

• Cap off the evening with a spectacular fireworks display beginning at 9:30 p.m!

Cost: Free admission to outdoor activities. A ticket is required to enter Regency Furniture Stadium for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game. Tickets can be purchased here.
Fees for food purchases.

More Information: www.charlescountymd.gov/calendar/fun-filled-fourth

Tips: Additional parking will be available at St. Charles High School

 

Fourth of July Mass, Fun, Fireworks

Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Location: 100 Village St, Waldorf, MD 20602

Details: Celebrate the 4th at the Foot of the Cross

Schedule of Events 5:30 pm Prepare for Mass with Prelude Music by OLHOC Youth Choir 6:00 pm Outdoor Mass 7:00 Concert featuring Libation, BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic), Games and activities for all ages Dark (9pm)- Fireworks What to Bring: Bring your lawn chair and/or blanket, picnic for your family

Cost: Free

Information: http://www.olhoc.com/events/


CALVERT COUNTY


Fireworks Over the Bay

Chesapeake Beach

Date: June 30, 2018

Time: 9:20 PM

Location: 8916 Chesapeake Ave, North Beach, MD

Details: Start the 4th of July celebrations early and join us at Veterans Memorial Park for the Town of Chesapeake Beach’s first concert, in the Summer Concert series, hosted by the Town’s Economic Development Committee on Saturday June 30th at 3:30 pm.Presenting the Six-String Soldiers – one of The United States Army Field Band’s most versatile ensembles, Six-String Soldiers will be performing Americana, folk, bluegrass, and Irish music. The Town’s fireworks display will start at dusk on Saturday June 30th.

Cost: Free

http://www.chesapeake-beach.md.us/events_July4thFireworks.htm

 

Solomons Annual Fireworks

Date:Tuesday, July 4, 2018

Time: Between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m.

Location: Riverwalk, Solomons Island

Details:The Solomons Business Association proudly sponsors the annual Solomons Independence Day fireworks display. Fireworks will be shot from a barge in the Patuxent River and can be viewed from the Riverwalk. Celebrate our nation’s birth and show your colors all day long!

Cost: Free

More Information: http://www.solomonsmaryland.com/

 


PG COUNTY


Salute to Sunset

Date: June 30 & July 7, 2017

Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Plaza, National Harbor

Details: World-class performances by bands from the nation’s Armed Forces at National Harbor will stir the hearts and souls of civilians and military personnel alike, while their tuneful stylings in a variety of genres please music lovers of all ages. Don’t miss these free shows on the Plaza stage.

Cost: Free

Information: https://www.nationalharbor.com/salutethesunset/

 

40th Annual – 4th of July Celebration

Date: Saturday July 7, 2018

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Location: 4th Street, Laurel, MD

Details: This is known in PG County as the best Independence Day Celebration in the area! There are many fun events throughout the day including a parade, classic car show, field events and fireworks!

Cost: Free

Informaiton: https:/https://laurel4th.org

 

July 4th Fest

Six Flags

Date: July 2-4, 2018

Location: 3710 Central Avenue Bowie, MD 2072

Details: Six Flags America is hosting a “July 4th Fest” from July 2-4. “Celebrate the independence of our country with three jam-packed days of thrills and water park fun. “There will be fireworks and live entertainment every night.

Cost: FREE with the purchase of park admission.

Information: https://www.sixflags.com/

 

College Park 4th of July Celebration

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Location: University of Maryland College Park

Details: The University of Maryland and the City of College Park host a Fourth of July celebration with fireworks and Rock and Roll tunes. Grass seating is limited, so bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will offer hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, snow cones, soda and bottled water. Personal coolers are allowed. Alcohol and personal fireworks are prohibited on campus.

Information: https://www.visitprincegeorgescounty.com/event/college-park-4th-of-july-celebration/

 

Annapolis 4th of July on the Docks

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Annapolis City Dock

Details: Parade starts at 6:30 pm. Parade Route: West Street, around Church Circle, down Main Street to the City Dock.

www.visitannapolis.org 

 

4th of July Fireworks in Historic Annapolis

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: 9:15 PM

Details: Annapolis launches its fireworks from a barge in Annapolis Harbor. If you want to get a great view, head over to Northeast of the Severn River, along the Naval Academy Bridge (limited parking area), any of the street-end parks facing Spa Creek, and aboard a boat in the Annapolis harbor.

 

Red, White and Boom All-American Independence Day Celebration
Date: July 4

Time: Dusk (following baseball game)
Location: Prince George’s Stadium
Details: Watch the Baysox take on Hartford @ 6:35 pm. Stay after to see the post-game Fireworks Spectacular presented by Whole Foods Market!

Information: https://www.visitprincegeorgescounty.com/event/baysox-independence-day-celebration-2/


ST. MARY’S COUNTY


 

St. Mary’s College River Concert Series

Date: June 29, 2018

Time: The Greens opens at 5:00 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:00 p.m.

Location: College Drive, St. Mary’s City

Details: Enjoy music and fireworks! Music performed by the Chesapeake Orchestra with guest appearance by Kelly Balmaceda, soprano.

Information: http://www.smcm.edu/music/events/

 

Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department

Date: June 30, 2018

Time: Kickoff at 5p.m., Live Music 6-10, Fireworks at dusk

Location: 24801 Three Notch Road, Hollywood

Details: Join the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department for their Annual Independence Day Celebration. This event is put on by the Members of the Hollywood VFD as a way of giving back and saying thank you to the community that supports us year after year. The fireworks display is one of the Largest in the area and we also provide a free concert before the show. Also, we have the carnival set up including games and food with $5 Armbands to ride all night. Please stop by and have a great time at this family friendly event.

Information: http://www.hvfd7.com/

 

Freedom Fest

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: Starts at 5:00 PM

Location: Patuxent Naval Base

Details: Join in the fun. Lots to do including; music, games, inflatables, and water inflatables! There will also be arts and crafts, tattoos and more! Not to mention lots of great food, drinks and glow sticks available for purchase. Bring a lawn chair or towel and have a front row seat to enjoy the fireworks from the Patuxent River! Open to all with base access. For more information please call the Tickets and Travel Office at 301-342-3648.

Information: https://www.navymwrpaxriver.com/

 

Red, White & Blue Jam

Date: July 6, 2018

Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Leonardtown Square

Details: We are very excited to have Bob Schaller & Friends join us on The Square for a jam session. An evening with fabulous music is planned so come out early and stay late, enjoy shopping, food and fun.

Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/194334677862911/


WASHINGTON DC AND BEYOND


A Capital Fourth 2018

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: 8:00 PM-9:30 PM

Location: West Lawn of the US Capital

Details: Join in the fun this July 4th for America’s biggest birthday party! This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 242nd birthday hosted by John Stamos and featuring an all-star lineup including The Beach Boys and The Pentatonix!

This American tradition will air live on PBS  July 4, 2018, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET from the West Lawn Of The United States Capitol before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. Visit pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth for more information and like our Facebook page (A Capitol Fourth) for updates and behind-the-scenes access!

 

National Independence Day Parade

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: 11: 45 AM

Location: Between 7th and 17th, Washington DC

Details: Observe DC’s annual National Independence Day Parade. Expect to see fife and drum corps, military servicemen and women, elaborate floats and VIPs galore. The parade begins at 11:45 a.m. and is held between 7th and 17th streets.

Cost: Free

Information: http://www.july4thparade.com/

 

Fourth of July Celebration

George Washtingon Mt Vernon

Date: July 4, 2018

Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location: Mt. Vernon

Details: Get out to George Washingtons Mount Vernon, for an all-day, turn-back-the

clock Forth of July. Marvel at gorgeous scenes of the Potomac River from the Founding Father’s estate, and listen to Revolutionary War-era music while savoring Colonial-style ice cream. The event also includes a special day-time fireworks display.

Information: http://www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/calendar/events/an-american-celebration/

 

ACTIVITIES AND TIPS

LINK TO PATRIOTIC SENSORY PLAY!- click here

Don’t forget little ones with sensory needs may benefit from wearing ear protection!