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With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday this year, Prince George's County is expected to have a weekend jam-packed with fireworks and festivals. With many organizations and municipalities holding their festivities on Saturday, some organizers are expecting smaller crowds than usual due to the competition between events.
Meanwhile others are bringing new attractions to the table and offering a variety of events that they hope will become traditions down the line.
For firework seekers with endurance, one familiar event that stretches all day long on July 4 is the Laurel car show and parade. Starting at 11 a.m. there will be a car parade with awards given out to the 20 most popular cars.
The 1.5-mile parade starts at Montgomery and Seventh streets and heads down Fourth Street, eventually ending up in the parking lot of Lowe's and Comfort Suites where cars will be displayed all day long in the car show.
Everything from classic cars to new fangled hot rods will be on display at the show.
Accompanying the car show will be a games and entertainment for the whole family. Food vendors plan to open up at noon and a field day contests will be held for children under 12.
Not to be left out, the "big kids" will receive awards for their entries in the car show at around 4 p.m. The band Oracle is scheduled to start a set at 5 p.m. and two other bands will provide live music until the fireworks are set off at 9:15 p.m.
Payton estimates 30,000 people came to last year's fireworks show. Because the festival and fireworks are always held on a Saturday around July 4, not necessarily on the day of, he expects a smaller turnout this year because their will be competition from surrounding cities.
Despite that, he encourages residents interested in securing a good viewing spot for the fireworks to come early as competition can be fierce.
"They map their territory out pretty early and put their blankets out at like 1 p.m. and then come back at 5 or 6 o'clock to take their place," he said.
For those who plan to camp out, he suggests bringing plenty of water and even a shade structure to stay comfortable.
"If it's sunny out you can bring a tent if it's easy to put up. There is not much shade out there on the field," he said.
Another option for entertainment all day long is Six Flags America in Largo. The amusement park and water park plans to be open all day and will host patriotic song and dance revue called Freedom and fireworks display in the evening, said park spokeswoman Julia Filz. Songs will include classics like Neil Diamond's "America." Fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m. at Hurricane Harbor in the park and Freedom will start at about 9 p.m. outdoors in front of where the fireworks will be set off.
"The park is going to be open all day long so the best value is coming in middle of day and hanging out all day with the over 100 rides," Filz said.
Tickets to Six Flags cost $49.99 but buy one get one free offers are available online.
New traditions?
Two new events will be held this year over Fourth of July weekend that organizers hope will become staple traditions in the community.
At National Harbor live music, a children's area complete with carnival rides and crafts, and an adults only wine garden will provide entertainment for all ages from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday.
Last year a small fireworks display was held, but the Gaylord National's July 3rd Celebration is expected to blow last year's pyrotechnics out of the water, literally. The fully choreographed fireworks show by New Castle, Penn.-based Pyrotecnico will be 15 minutes in length and shot off from a barge next to the Gaylord National Pier, said Gaylord spokeswoman Amie Gorrell.
"Prime viewing will be from the river facing lawn of Gaylord National Resort," Gorrell said.
Two bands will offer live music of differing styles throughout the evening. We The Band will play sets of American pop and rock and country classics while Ewabo will play Caribbean music.
In the wine garden, adults will be privy to cigar-rolling demonstrations and can purchase limited edition Barack Obama cigars.
No pets, personal fireworks, outside food and beverage, or coolers will be permitted. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome.
In Riverdale Park, while there won't be fireworks, the city's Arts Council expects a high turnout of residents for its first Home Town Fourth of July Celebration from 1 to 6 p.m.
"This is a way to promote pride in our town," said Emily Fanning of the Riverdale Park Arts Council. "It's a time for people to get to know each other. It's like a big block party."
For years, the city had seen neighboring municipalities hold community events over the Fourth of July and wanted to offer and event for residents. At the event, local public safety officials and the fire department will give apparatus demonstrations and offer safety tips.
The Riverdale Park Volunteer Fire Department will have a cookout and be selling hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks. They will also hand out free freeze pops for all children.
Local musicians will take center stage at the festival, with residents Don Walters offering live folk music and Liz Lohr and Sonny Setz and playing boogie woogie piano tunes.
The highlight for children may be the bicycle rodeo that will require children to complete an obstacle course on their bikes, Fanning said. A raffle for a bike, helmet and lock will also be held in the afternoon.
"It's over in time for people to head off and go to other fireworks shows," said Melissa Avery, also of the Arts Council.
E-mail Andrea Noble at anoble@gazette.net.
Schedule of fireworks shows
-The Bowie Baysox have scheduled their fireworks after their Friday game against the Akron Aeros at Prince George's Stadium, located at 4101 NE Crain Highway. The game begins at 6:05 p.m. and a barbecue is from 5 to 7 p.m. in the stadium. Fireworks will be set off immediately following the game. Tickets range in price but are all about $20 each.
-The city of Bowie plans to host its free fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Allen Pond Park, located at 3330 Northview Drive in Bowie. Musical entertainment from Bowie City Councilman James Marcos' band Crawfish starts at 6:30 p.m. Attendees can bring food and drinks and vendors will also be on site. Dogs are not allowed in the park.
National Harbor
-Festivities will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday at National Harbor outside the Gaylord Hotels Resort, located at 201 Waterfront Street in Oxon Hill. Admission is $5 and fireworks begin after sundown. No pets, personal fireworks, outside food and beverage, or coolers will be permitted but blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. The event will occur rain or shine.
City of College Park and the University of Maryland
-Live music entertainment from The Fabulous Hubcaps begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at the University of Maryland, College Park, and the city of College Park's free fireworks display will begin at dusk. Residents can bring coolers and seating to the Lot 1 parking lot at the university.
City of District Heights
-The free fireworks show starts at dusk Saturday in the athletic fields of the E. Michael Roll Municipal Center, located at 2000 Marbury Drive in District Heights. A rain date is scheduled for July 5.
City of Greenbelt
-Greenbelt will host daytime craft activities for children from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Buddy Attick Park, located at 555 Crescent Road in Greenbelt. From 6:15 to 9 p.m. the Greenbelt Concert Band and community drum circle will provide live music. Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m. The event is free and attendees can bring coolers, but no alcohol or personal fireworks are allowed in the park. In case of inclement weather, call the weather hotline at 301-474-0646.
City of Laurel
-Laurel will host events and activities beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday at Granville Gude Park located at 8300 Mulberry Street in Laurel. The fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. In case of rain, the fireworks only will be held at 9:15 p.m. July 5.
City of Riverdale Park
-The Riverdale Park Arts Council plans to host a free celebration from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the historic town center, located at 6220 Rhode Island Ave.
Six Flags America
-The park will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and the fireworks start at dusk. Six Flags is located at 13710 Central Avenue in Largo. Tickets cost $49.99. Call 301-249-1500.
City of Bowie
