Annapolis July 4, 2017 Fireworks Canceled By Rain

(Updated at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday) ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Annapolis Fourth of July 4 parade managed to wrap up just as the rain started Tuesday. About 8:30 p.m. city officials said via Facebook that they are waiting on word from the Office of Emergency Management on fireworks. At roughly 8:55 the city tweeted: Fireworks cancelled due to weather.

City officials said the fireworks show will be held Wednesday, July 5.

Festivities during the day include Naval Academy Band concert, fireworks, a cruise in the harbor and more. City officials are sharing safety information if you plan to light your own fireworks, reminding consumers of which fireworks are illegal in Maryland, and encouraging residents to attend the city display.

The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, at Amos Garrett Boulevard and proceed along West Street, around Church Circle, and down Main Street. Despite cloudy skies, the parade will start as planned, the police department says.

The fireworks show will begin about 9:15 p.m. Main Street and the Spa Creek Bridge (from Eastport to downtown) will be closed to traffic beginning at 5 p.m. and remain closed until the end of the fireworks, at roughly 10 p.m.

And early indications are that there may be some rain when you're grilling, sailing or heading to the parade, but it won't be a total washout. The National Weather Service calls for a 40 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Skies will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Look for scattered showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then isolated showers. Expect mostly cloudy skies tonight, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Annapolis 4th of July Parade

Tuesday, July 4, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Join this patriotic salute to the nation with marching bands, fire engines old and new, cars and vans, service clubs and scouts. Route: Stepoff is at Amos Garrett and West Street. The parade will head down West Street, wrong way around Church Circle, down Main Street, left on Randall Street, and ends in front of the Market House, according to Visit Annapolis.

United States Naval Academy Band Concert

Tuesday, July 4, 8 pm to dusk
Location: Susan Campbell Park - City Dock. The USNA Concert Band performs a public concert series featuring everything from light classics to marches to classic band literature and patriotic songs.

Independence Day Fireworks Cruise

Tuesday, July 4, 6:30 pm - 10 pm
Experience a one-of-a-kind look of the Annapolis fireworks display from the water with Annapolis Sailing Sailing Cruises: Schooner Woodwind is hosting a fireworks on July 4th. Click HERE for all the information you need to enjoy this one of a kind fireworks cruise.

4th of July Fireworks

Tuesday, July 4, 9:15 pm

Annapolis launches its fireworks from a barge in Annapolis Harbor. The best viewing areas include public spaces Northeast of the Severn River, City Dock, along the Naval Academy Bridge (limited parking area), any of the street-end parks facing Spa Creek, and aboard a boat in the Annapolis harbor. The Spa Creek Bridge will be closed to traffic from Eastport into Annapolis beginning at 6 p.m. The bridge will remain closed until the conclusion of the fireworks, at about 10 p.m. Be aware that the closer you get to downtown the harder it will be to park and the more difficulty you will have getting out of town after the celebration.

Annapolis Maritime Museum Open

Also, the Annapolis Maritime Museum will feature expanded hours during the first week of July to allow visitors in town for Independence Day to drop by. An audio tour for the museum is now available; it leads visitors through the permanent exhibit, entitled “Oysters on the Half Shell.” The tour explores the maritime history of Annapolis through the voices and stories of those who lived and worked on the water. The tour is free and headphones are available at the museum for purchase.

Parking Availability

Here is a list of parking options in the area:

Normal parking rates apply for these four garages

• Hillman Garage - 150 Gorman St – (entrance on Duke of Gloucester also)
• Park Place Garage – One Park Place
• Knighton Garage – 1A Colonial Avenue
• Gotts Garage – 25 Northwest Street – (entrance on Calvert Street also)

Free parking will be available at:

• The DNR Parking Lot on Herbert M. Sachs Blvd.
• The State Parking Garage - known as the Calvert Street Garage at 19 St John’s Street
• The State Parking Lot at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (Gates will be open for all State employees and their guests)

The city will run a loop using two shuttles, from 4 p.m. to midnight, between Gate 6 for the state employee parking lot at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the DNR parking lot, the Calvert Street garage, and Lawyer's Mall.

Two Circulators will run the normal route from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 5 p.m. Main Street will close, so the Circulators will drop off and pick up at the top of Main Street from 5 p.m. to midnight. The two shuttle buses and the Circulators are free.

Parking Restrictions

Beginning at 4 p.m. and extending until about 10:30 p.m., parking will be prohibited and violators may be towed from the following areas:

• City Dock
• Main Street
• Randall Street
• Market Space
• Both sides of Severn Avenue between First and Burnside Streets
• East side of First, Second and Third Streets between Severn and Chester Avenues
• South side of Chesapeake and Chester Avenues between Riverview Avenue and Burnside Street
• Bay Ridge Avenue between Sixth and Burnside Streets
• Bembe Beach Road from Awald Road to end

Road Restrictions and Closures

In Eastport, vehicular traffic into the north side of the Eastport Peninsula will be restricted between 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Pedestrian traffic will be permitted. Roadblocks will be set up at 6 p.m. at Sixth Street and Severn Avenue denying access to downtown via the Spa Creek Bridge.

Prince George Street will be posted “Resident Only Parking” from Craig Street to Maryland Avenue from 2 p.m. to midnight. East Street will be posted “Resident Only Parking” from Prince George Street to King George Street from 2 p.m. to midnight. Randall Street will be posted “Resident Only Parking” from Prince George Street to King George Street from 2 p.m. to midnight.

Vehicular traffic will be denied access to the downtown area beginning at 5 p.m. until about 10:30 p.m. Road blocks will also be set up in the following locations:

• King George Street and College Avenue
• Prince George Street and College Avenue
• North Street and College Avenue
• Church Circle and Main Street
• Duke of Gloucester Street at Conduit Street, at Green Street, at St. Mary’s Street and at Compromise Street.

Traffic will be allowed to flow down Duke of Gloucester Street from Church Circle and into Eastport via one lane (not into downtown Annapolis) until 9 p.m. At that time, Duke of Gloucester Street will be closed to ensure pedestrian safety and to facilitate the movement of foot traffic leaving the area after the fireworks display.

Boating Restrictions

The draw span of the Spa Creek Bridge (into Eastport) will be closed to boat traffic from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Because of the anticipated crowded conditions, boaters are urged to select their preferred viewing area anchorage early and are also warned to avoid the 1,000-foot safety zone around the fireworks barge. For questions about boat restrictions during the fireworks, contact the City Harbormaster’s Office at 410-263-7973.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages on the streets and sidewalks in Annapolis is prohibited. Alcoholic beverages are also prohibited at Susan Campbell Park. Fireworks (including sparklers) are prohibited at Susan Campbell Park along with the firing of pyrotechnics and flares.

Fireworks Safety

Mayor Michael Pantelides and Fire Chief David Stokes remind residents that fireworks can be very dangerous, so they urge you to leave it up to the professionals and join them in Annapolis for our July 4th festivities.

“The City of Annapolis is proud to host the July 4th Celebration with an outstanding fireworks display, scheduled for Tuesday, July 4th around 9:15 p.m. in downtown Annapolis. Come to our festive event and don’t worry about anything except enjoying yourself," said Pantelides in a news release.

In Anne Arundel County, including the City of Annapolis, the following fireworks are legal:

• Sparklers
• Fountains
• Crackle and strobe
• Wheels and spinners and other certain novelties

As a general rule, sparklers and any ground-based fireworks are legal. Anything that launches or explodes is not legal.

“Legal fireworks can be fun, but only if used in a safe and correct manner,” Chief Stokes said. “Even sparklers can lead to serious injury if safety rules are not followed.”

Fireworks can burn up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. The most common injuries are to a person’s hands, eyes, and head. In a study performed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for the year of 2015 it was estimated that 11,500 emergency room visits were due to firework related injuries.

Maryland Fireworks Law

It is illegal to cross state lines and import fireworks for backyard celebrations. Fines may be levied of up to $250 for each firework device. Possession or use of explosive fireworks or large firecrackers such as M-100’s or “Quarter-sticks” can carry a felony charge and a fine up to $250,000 and up to 25 years in prison. For your safety, and that of your guests, only use legal fireworks. Each Maryland county has slightly different fireworks laws. In Baltimore City, Prince George’s and Montgomery County there is a complete ban on all fireworks.

Safety tips for fireworks users:

• If you purchase fireworks this season, always purchase from a reliable source and place them in your trunk while transporting.
• Place fireworks in a spark-proof container such as a cardboard box. (Never carry fireworks on your body.)
• Never smoke or use any flame devices near fireworks.
• Never attempt to light a firework fuse indoors or in a vehicle.
• Never attempt to light or handle fireworks after consuming alcohol.
• Have one designated person (wearing safety glasses) to organize and ignite the fireworks safely.
• Use fireworks as directed on the consumer product safety label.
• Always have water ready to place the expired fire work in to soak for at least 20 minutes after it is used.
• Never attempt to relight a device which fails to ignite on the initial attempt.

Other Anne Arundel County celebrations include:

Fort Meade: The military personnel at Fort Meade will celebrate the Fourth of July with a day-long festival culminating in a fireworks display, and the public is invited to attend. The Fort George G. Meade annual Red, White and Blue Independence Day Celebration is set for June 30 from 4 to 10 p.m. at McGlachlin Parade Field. Several thousand people are expected to turn out for this popular community event. Activities include a kiddie train, moon bounces, zip line rides and other inflatables.

Glen Burnie: The Glen Burnie Improvement Association’s sixth annual fireworks show begins at about 9 p.m. July 3 in Saw Mill Creek Park on Dorsey Road. Limited parking for viewing is available at Monsignor Slade Catholic school, and overflow parking at Cromwell Light Rail Station. Parking at the Sawmill Creek Park is for handicapped permit holders only. Parking for the 3rd Ave Park viewing area is on street in a residential area. Rain date is July 5. No alcohol, smoking or sparklers allowed in either park.

Severna Park: The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce July 4th parade will be held on Monday, July 4 at 10 a.m. The parade begins on Benfield Road at St. Martin's in-the-Field Episcopal Church and Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and culminates at Sunrise of Severna Park on Cypress Creek Road.

Shady Side: The community celebrates the holiday with a parade from 10 to 11 a.m. on July 4. It begins at Cedarhurst Road and ends at the Shady Side Community Center (the former Kiwanis Club) on Snug Harbor Road. For information, call Eddy Boardman at 443-3708720.

Mayo: The Cummings Behlke American Legion Post will hold a Fourth of July celebration from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 1. Events include live music, food, yard games, moon bounce, parade and fireworks. Music performances will be by Mid-Life Crisis and the Assisted Living bands. The parade forms at 11:30 a.m. and starts at noon.

Pixabay Photo