Happy Independence Day!

Historic Annapolis is a great place to celebrate the Fourth of July. Here are some FUN, FREE events happening around Annapolis this week.

Fourth of July Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony, Wednesday, July 4, 10 am , William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street, FREE, includes a naturalization ceremony for new citizens.  From the Historic Annapolis Foundation web site:

The free event, which has become an annual Independence Day tradition, will be held on the rear terrace of the William Paca House and Garden, home of a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, at 186 Prince George Street in Annapolis. William Paca, Samuel Chase, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, and Thomas Stone were the four Maryland men who signed the historic document in 1776, and all of them lived in Annapolis at different points in their lives.

Annapolis July 4th Parade, Wednesday July 4, 2012, 6:30 pm, FREE.

U.S. Naval Academy Band performance, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, 8 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at Susan B. Campbell Park at City Dock, FREE.  The Capital Newspaper reports:

Lieutenant Commander Steve Trzcinski will lead the band in a concert of American favorites at Susan B. Campbell Park on Wednesday, July 4 at 8:00 p.m.

The program will include works by John Philip Sousa and George Gershwin, as well as Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Musician First Class Russell Sharp will perform Arthur Pryor’s Blue Bells of Scotland on trombone, and Senior Chief Musician Nick Pastelak will sing God Bless the USA. The concert will be followed by a spectacular firework display beginning at 9:15.

Annapolis Fireworks, around 9:15 p.m., Annapolis Harbor, FREE

Here are further details on the Annapolis 4th of July 2012 Celebration Day, from the City of Annapolis web site:

Old Fashioned 4^th of July Parade: step off at 6:30pm SHARP!

The 4^th of July Parade is open to many different units, including color guards, floats, marching units, emergency vehicles, comic arts, car clubs, novelty units, commercial or business entries, and political units.  We welcome all groups and individuals to participate as entrants so long as they are decorated in a patriotic theme.  In the interest of presenting the finest entertainment to our spectators, all groups are encouraged to enter decorated floats, music units, and themed entries.  Unit lineup begins at 5pm.

USNA Concert Band at Susan Campbell Park: 8:00pm

The USNA Concert Band performs a public concert series featuring everything from light classics to marches to classic band literature and patriotic songs.  The 4^th of July kicks off the USNA Band’s Annapolis concert series, the first of seven concerts through the summer.  Hear them every Tuesday from July 10 to August 14, 2012.

Fireworks: at dark, approximately 9:15pm

The fireworks display will be launched from a barge in the Annapolis Harbor and can be viewed from many excellent locations around the Harbor (see below).  For questions about boat restrictions during the fireworks, contact the City Harbormaster’s Office, 410-263-7973.

VIEWING AREAS

Parade:

Anywhere along the parade route offers a great view: inner West St., Church Circle (wrong way around) and Main St.  Spectators are urged to respect crowd control zones established by the Annapolis Police Department.

Concert:

Bring a chair or a cushion and enjoy the music with the Harbor in the background as the sun sets!  You’ll have a great seat for the fireworks after the concert!  NO alcoholic beverages or sparklers will be permitted.

Fireworks:

Susan Campbell Park is a fantastic view, but it is also the most crowded.  Views from Main St. and the Harbormaster’s Building area will be partially obstructed. Other suggested viewing areas are: public spaces northeast of the Severn River, any of the street-end parks facing Spa Creek, and aboard your favorite boat in Annapolis Harbor (confirm the required distance from the Barge with the City Harbormaster).

Spa Creek Bridge will be closed to traffic beginning at 9:00pm to create a spectator pier overlook offering an unobstructed view of the fireworks.

It’s that time of year again and we want to make sure you are ready and up-to-date on all the important information to make this year’s Fourth of July celebration safe and successful.

The Old Fashioned 4^th of July Annapolis Parade is still seeking entries and will accept color guards, floats, marching units, emergency vehicles, comic arts, car clubs, novelty units, commercial or business entries, and political units.

We welcome all groups and individuals to participate as entrants as long as they are decorated in a patriotic theme.  If you would like to have a unit in this year’s parade, contact Special Events at specialevents@annaplis.gov

To view the parade, which will step off at 6:30 p.m. sharp, you can find curb seating along the parade route on inner West Street, Church Circle and Main St.

We encourage those attending the 4^th of July Celebration to park at Park Place Garage or Knighton Garage for $10 all day and take the free Circulator down to City Dock.  An added bonus is that both garages are right on the parade route so you can step out of the garage and onto the sidewalk to find a great viewing spot.  The free Circulator runs 6:30 a.m. to midnight.  Go to www.AnnapolisCirculator.com for more information. Other event parking prices include $20 for Hillman and $15 for Gotts and the South and Larkin Lots. If you park at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium the shuttle will cost $2 each way.  There is an additional charge for parking at the Stadium as well.

Meanwhile,  the USNA Concert Band will perform on the 4^th of July at 8:00 p.m. in Susan Campbell Park.

The fireworks display  will be launched from a barge in the Annapolis Harbor and can be viewed from many excellent locations around the Harbor. They will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.  Susan Campbell Park is a fantastic place to view the fireworks but it is also the most crowded.  Views from Main St. and the Harbormaster’s Building area will be partially obstructed. Other suggested viewing areas are: public spaces northeast of the Severn River, any of the street-end parks facing Spa Creek. Spa Creek Bridge will be closed to traffic beginning at 9:00 p.m. to create a spectator pier overlook offering an unobstructed view of the fireworks. You can also enjoy the show aboard your favorite boat in Annapolis Harbor. Please confirm the required distance from the Barge with the City Harbormaster at 410-263-7973.

Funding for the 4^th of July fireworks is largely the result of donations by businesses and private individuals.  Anyone wishing to help support this popular community event can send their tax-deductible donation to: July 4^th Annapolis, Inc., c/o First Citizens Bank, 890 Bestgate Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401

Nearby events include…

Shady Side 4th of July Parade at 10 a.m., for more information, call Sharon at 410-507-3177

Galesville 4th of July Parade at 1 p.m., details on the web page of the Galesville Heritage Society

Fort Meade 4th of July, with events from noon to 10 p.m. at the at McGlachlin Parade Field

And, for more fun this weekend, the 2012 Summer Concerts begin at Quiet Waters Park!  On Saturday, July 7th the Night and Day Band will be playing Big Band/Swing Music from 6 pm to 8 pm.  Admission to the park is free for concert-goers starting at 5 pm.  Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets to this fun community event.  The weekly concerts will continue through August 25t

Enjoy the celebrations of our nation’s independence!

P.S.  Call me today for your Annapolis real estate needs, or for an introduction to a great real estate agent anywhere.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, eXp Realty, Annapolis Real Estate, Annapolis Waterfront Homes, Annapolis Luxury Homes, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 443-569-3977 or 888-860-7369 x146