After a year of being trapped inside for the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional Fourth of July celebrations are coming back.
In Annapolis, the announcement in April that July Fourth celebrations would return served to mark the city’s reopening celebration as well after restrictions canceled large gatherings in the state capital.
From North County to South County, there’s something the to enjoy outdoors to celebrate the holiday. Here are some of the many events.
Friday
Tall ships arrive in Annapolis, around 4 p.m.
Three tall ships will return to Annapolis for the July Fourth weekend celebration.
The Tall Ship Providence from Alexandria, Pride of Baltimore II from Baltimore and the Skipjack Wilma Lee from Annapolis will begin arriving July 2 around 4 p.m. for a public welcome party at Susan Campbell Park at City Dock, featuring live music from The All-American Brass Band.
The ships will be in town until Monday, coinciding with the city’s grand-reopening event as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
Tickets for dockside tours of all three boats, daily cruises on each boat and the dockside viewing of the Annapolis Harbor Fireworks on Sunday night will be available for purchase at Susan Campbell Park or by visiting amaritime.org/event/tall-ships/.
Tango Dancing in the Street, 7 p.m.
Main Street between Francis Street and Church Circle will be closed for tango dancing in the street.
Fireworks at Fort Meade, 9:30 p.m.
Fort George G. Meade is bringing back its July Fourth fireworks and celebration.
The military installation will hold a fireworks display on July 2 at 9:30 p.m. Attendees will be limited to military members, Department of Defense employees and their families. Military members and Department of Defense employees will need theiridentification cards, while guests older than 18 must show their Real IDs, according to a news release from Fort Meade.
Saturday
Annapolis parade, 10:30 a.m.
The Annapolis parade will return with a route from West Street at Amos Garrett, down Main Street to City Dock.
Bands and family fun at Annapolis Visitors Center, 12 p.m.
Go to the Annapolis Visitors Center between noon and 5 p.m. and you will encounter bands such as Bayside Big Band, SoulJourners, Spa Creek Band and Naptown Brass Band while chalk art hula hoops and bubbles machines occupy the whole family.
Edgewater American Legion Post 226 parade and festivities, 12 p.m., 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The American Legion Post 226 is celebrating its sixth annual MAYO independence day parade that will line up at noon in the American Legion parking lot and will start at 1 p.m. With festivities starting at 4 p.m. and continuing until dark, attendees will find a tiki bar, a horseshoe and cornhole tournament, face-painting, food, live music and fireworks.
Inner West Street Block Party, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The Inner West Street Association is hosting a block party that will include music from various bands from Brazilian to gospel to Motown, which all can be enjoyed while dining outdoors.
Glen Burnie Fireworks, 9 p.m.
The Glen Burnie Improvement Association will host its annual firework display. The fireworks will begin around 9 p.m. and there will be viewing areas at Sawmill Creek Park on Dorsey Road and Third Avenue Park.
The available viewing area at Sawmill will be smaller than in years past but the display will be bigger and can be seen from further away, the association wrote in a Facebook post. Parking for Sawmill is available at Monsignor Slade Catholic School but once the lot is full, it will close. Handicap parking is available at Sawmill Creek Park and overflow handicapped parking will be at the Pascal Center, 125 Dorsey Road.
No alcohol, smoking, pets, fireworks or sparklers are allowed.
You can also view the display from 3rd Avenue Park but there is no parking.
Sunday
West Annapolis Parade, 9 a.m.
The parade will go from Wardour Circle to West Annapolis Elementary. At 9:30 a.m. there will be a ceremony with Mayor Gavin Buckley.
Bowie Baysox celebration, 7 p.m.
, being held at Prince George’s Stadium on Sunday at 7 p.m.
This event will feature a live concert by DC Fusion, followed by fireworks. Tickets are $15 for ages 13 and up, $10 for kids ages 3-12, and free for those 2 and under. Seating is all general admission.
Fireworks in historic Annapolis, 9:15 p.m.
The Annapolis fireworks display is back with the colorful fanfare launching from a barge in Annapolis Harbor. While many view the fireworks from a boat, there are great views northeast of the Severn River, at City Dock, along the Naval Academy Bridge and at any of the street end parks facing Spa Creek, according to Visit Annapolis.
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Spa Creek Bridge will be closed to traffic from Eastport into Annapolis.
Monday
Severna Park Fourth of July parade, 10 a.m.
The popular Independence Day, sponsored by the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce, will be held again on the Monday work holiday.
The parade’s grand marshal is Eddie Conway, owner of Garry’s Grill, who raised funds for many charities during the pandemic.
A decorated bike contest for children will be held at the chamber building from 9:15 to 10 a.m. before riders join the parade at Riggs Avenue.
The parade begins on Benfield Road, proceeds to Evergreen, left on Riggs, right on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard and concludes on Cypress Creek Road.
For information, visit gspacc.com, call 410-647-3900 or email info@gspacc.com.
Capital Gazette staff contributed to this article.
