It’s already Fourth of July around Route One! If your family is like mine, you’re either a) headed out of town, b) spending the weekend at the pool, or c) looking to have fun at parades and fireworks. If you answered C, we’ve got you covered with this abbreviated weekend guide that cuts right to the good stuff. There are local Independence Day celebrations all around the Route One area, so put on your red, white, and blue and let the fun begin!
FRIDAY
Bladensburg Fireworks Celebration (all ages)
Join the Town of Bladensburg at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park for a free family event featuring live performances food trucks, amusements, face painting, and more. Rain date is Saturday, July 2.
When: 6-9:30 pm
Where: Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Cost: FREE!
SATURDAY
Laurel 4th of July Celebration (all ages)
Take a drive up Route One for the City of Laurel’s 43rd annual daylong celebration. The parade and classic car show start at 2 pm, followed by music at 5 pm and fireworks at 9:15 at Laurel Lakes. Remember your blankets and chairs, but please leave pets, alcohol, and sparklers or fireworks at home!
When: 2-10 pm
Where: Parade begins at 6th and Montgomery Street; fireworks at Laurel Lakes
Cost: FREE!
Bowie Baysox Fireworks (all ages)
Start your Independence Day Weekend off at the ballpark for an all-American, July 4th weekend celebration with a huge Independence Day fireworks show after the game against the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
When: 6:35 pm
Where: Bowie Baysox Stadium
Cost: Tickets start at $13 for adults
SUNDAY
Bowie Baysox Fireworks (all ages)
Missed the game and fireworks on Saturday? There’s a repeat performance on Sunday, and this one promises to be the biggest fireworks display of the Bowie Baysox season!
When: 6:05 pm
Where: Bowie Baysox Stadium
Cost: Tickets start at $13 for adults
MONDAY
City of College Park Parade (all ages)
The City of College Park had to cancel their annual fireworks display at UMD due to Covid-related supply chain issues, but the celebration will go on with a traditional parade along Rhode Island Avenue.
When: 11 am
Where: Rhode Island Avenue between Cherokee and Muskogee Streets, College Park
Cost: FREE!
Greenbelt Fireworks Celebration (all ages)
Celebrate the stars and stripes with a drum circle and fireworks display in Greenbelt. The fireworks will last approximately 30 minutes. Alcoholic beverages and all forms of fireworks, including sparklers, are prohibited.
When: 9 pm
Where: Buddy Attick Lake Park
Cost: FREE!
Takoma Park Parade and Celebration (all ages)
Like College Park, Takoma Park also had to cancel their fireworks display, but that won’t stop them from celebrating. The parade starts at 10 am and lasts about two hours. Later, an evening street party with live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and kids activities will keep the party going from 5:30 to 9 pm.
When: Parade at 10 am; street party starting at 5:30 pm
Where: The parade begins at Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues and travels south
Cost: FREE!
National Mall Fireworks in DC (all ages)
You couldn’t pay me to go near the National Mall for fireworks on Fourth of July, but Washingtonian has put together this nifty list of other places to view the Mall fireworks display without venturing deep into the crowds. If you really want to see the big downtown event, do yourself a favor and check out one of these alternative spots.
When: 9 pm
Where: Various spots throughout DC
Cost: FREE!
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