Americans are soon to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, a once-in-a-generation milestone, on July 4. In Washington County, residents have the opportunity to commemorate their county’s 250th anniversary on the same day.
Performances, gatherings and programs are scheduled throughout the county to observe both occasions.
July 2
Clear Spring Independence Jam
The Clear Spring Independence Jam will feature the Stoney Creek Bluegrass Band at Clear Spring High School. Gates will open at 5 p.m., and the show will start at 6 p.m.
There will be vendors and concessions throughout the evening, followed by fireworks. Admission is free for all ages.
Weather policy, seating and all other protocols are at the venue’s discretion, and announcements at the venue on the day of the performance will take precedence over any advertisement.
Flying Boxcars postgame fireworks show in Meritus Park
There will be a Fourth of July fireworks show at Meritus Park in downtown Hagerstown following the Flying Boxcars baseball game. The Boxcars will play the Lancaster Stormers in the July 2 game, with a starting time of 6:30 p.m.
July 3
Boonsboro Independence Day Celebration
There will be music and vendors in Shafer Park beginning at 5 p.m. for the Boonsboro Independence Day Celebration, with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, but town officials suggest not bringing dogs due to the volume of the fireworks. The Community Center parking lot will be closed, except for vehicles with handicapped parking permits. The rain date is July 5.
Williamsport Independence Day Celebration
The Williamsport Independence Day Celebration will be held at Byron Memorial Park from 5 to 10 p.m. Live music from the Williamsport Community Band will begin at 7 p.m., and fireworks will follow at dusk.
There will also be food vendors on site, and organizers suggest bringing chairs to sit on.
Hagerstown’s Fireworks at Fairgrounds Park
Hagerstown’s annual Fireworks at Fairgrounds Park event will be held on July 3 this year. The Starfire Corporation-produced event will begin around 9:30 p.m. and end around 10 p.m. Event goers can bring blankets or lawn chairs. The fireworks should also be visible throughout the city.
There will not be food or drink vendors at this year’s event. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and refreshments, but alcohol, tobacco products and personal fireworks are not permitted in any city park. A complete list of park rules can be found on the City of Hagerstown website.
Some areas of Fairgrounds Park will be limited or inaccessible on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for the event, according to the event website. Starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, no on-street parking will be permitted on Cleveland Avenue between Jefferson Street and the Fairgrounds Park entrance, on Security Road between Vista Street and Vale Street or westbound on Security Road between Vale Street and Division Avenue. Starting at 6 p.m., Cannon Avenue will be closed to traffic between Jefferson and North Mulberry streets, and westbound Jefferson Street will be closed between Cleveland and Cannon avenues. Motorists approaching the closure will be required to detour via other city streets.
Police will implement additional street closures at the beginning and end of the fireworks show to control traffic flow. Traffic will be congested in the vicinity of Fairgrounds Park. Streets are expected to be reopened to traffic by 11 p.m.
The rain date for the event is July 5. The same street closures and no-parking measures will apply in the case of rescheduling.
July 4
Greg Shank Memorial 5K
The Greg Shank Memorial 5K race-day registration will be at 7 a.m. at the Williamsport American Legion post 202, and the race will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the pavilion.
The race costs $25 if participants register by June 19 and $30 after. All pre-registered participants will receive an event t-shirt.
Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers and the top two male and female finishers in each age group. Age groups range from 12 and under to 70 and over.
Participants must be present to receive t-shirts and awards. All proceeds will benefit the Greg Shank Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Washington County’s 250th Celebration
There will be an event celebrating Washington County’s 250th anniversary at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center. The celebration is meant to honor Washington County’s history, community and future, and doors open at 12 p.m.
The event will include live entertainment, food vendors, community organizations, a car show, children’s activities, historical displays, a drone show and a spectacular fireworks finale. A full list of vendors and event maps are available on the event website.
A Paws & Pistons car show will run from 12 to 5 p.m. with a $20 entry fee. Live entertainment includes The Cruisers at 1 p.m., the Nathan Bartgis Band at 3 p.m., Hot Fun at 5 p.m. and Wake the Neighbors at 7:30 p.m.
The 250th County Commissioners Ceremony will be at 7 p.m., Mike Lushbaugh will perform the national anthem at 9:20 p.m. and the drone show and fireworks will be at 9:30 p.m. or dark.
Funkstown picnic
Funkstown American Legion Post 211 is hosting a picnic from 4 to 8 p.m. to celebrate 250 years of the United States at the 12 N. Westside Ave creekside pavilion. Attendees are welcome to bring family, friends and chairs.The event will have music featuring Christian Evans. There will be burgers, hot dogs, baked beans and coleslaw, all sold for $5. Activities will include a cash bar, cornhole, tip jars, 50/50 and more.
July 4 and 5
Fort Frederick State Park: “…and zeal for liberty…”
Fort Frederick State Park will have a “…and zeal for liberty…” event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both July 4 and 5.Attendees will learn about the role the fort played during the American Revolution, and interpretive staff and volunteers will portray the men and women of the war. The program includes musket firing demonstrations and military and children’s drill.
July 5
Hagerstown Municipal Band and Hagerstown Choral Arts concert
There will be a Hagerstown Municipal Band and Hagerstown Choral Arts concert at 7 p.m. in the North Hagerstown High School auditorium to celebrate the Fourth of July.The concert is free and open to the public. The program will highlight patriotic selections and audience favorites.
July 9
Stars and Stripes Block Party Featuring 1976 Time Capsule Unveiling
The Stars and Stripes Block Party will take place in downtown Hagerstown from 4 to 9 p.m. The event will include local heritage and cultural vendors/organizations, activities for the whole family and live music.The Antietam Exchange Club is hosting a 1976 time capsule unveiling at 6 p.m. in Public Square during the event. Attendees are invited to share ideas and contribute items for a new semiquincentennial time capsule.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.heraldmailmedia.com ’
