Columbia Fireworks Celebration To Feature Vaccine Clinic

COLUMBIA, MD —Howard County Chief Executive Calvin Ball said Sunday's 4th of July fireworks festivities are able to take place because residents have gotten their vaccines. But for those residents who still need one ore both vaccines, they can get them at Sunday's celebration at the Lakefront in Columbia.

Between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Care 4 Your Health will be administering vaccines in a mobile RV unit in the parking lot. Residents will be able to receive first or second doses, and Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer all are available, the county said.

"Thanks to our incredible progress with vaccinating our residents and record low COVID-19 cases in Howard County, we're able to host a safe and exciting July 4th celebration this year," Ball said. "We did not get here by chance, and we're grateful to all of our residents who have taken the important step of getting vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones.

"While many of our county services and offices will be closed during the holiday weekend, there will still be opportunities to get vaccinated during our celebrations."

Of course, the 4th of July celebration also will include music, food trucks and fireworks.

According to a press release, attendees can start placing blankets at the Lakefront in Columbia starting at 3 p.m.

The live music begins at 5 p.m. with local bands Pebble to Pearl and Groovalicious performing on the Lakefront Stage. At 9 p.m. the National Anthem will be performed by Students Partnering with Veterans.

Food trucks will be located in the American City parking lot. Trucks expected to participate are: Bullhead Pit Beef, Kona Ice of Howard County, Deddle's Mini Donuts, Blowfish Poke, Dee's Food & Snack Shack, Althea's Almost Famous, Taste N See Kettle Corn, Ravin' and Cravin' Food Truck, Flair Cuisine, Zen Hemp and Sunny's Snowballs.

All events are free to the public, but premium locations, with a dinner buffet and cash bar, are provided by the Inner Arbor Trust and the Columbia Association. Ticket sales help raise funds for free arts programming in Downtown Columbia at the Chrysalis and Lakefront.

The 22-minute fireworks show will start around 9:20 p.m. at Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia.

"After the challenges of the past year, we know everyone is excited for the return of our popular July 4th fireworks display" said A. Raul Delerme, Howard County's director of Recreation and Parks. "This year, we're pleased to be able to offer live musical entertainment and a variety of unique food trucks as we once again celebrate our country's independence under the stars at the Columbia Lakefront."

Free public parking for the event will be located at the Mall in Columbia. Though attendees are reminded that Little Patuxent Parkway may close around 7 p.m. due to expected high traffic volume. Also, drivers are not permitted to pull off onto the shoulder of Route 29 to view the fireworks.

More information about the July 4 fireworks celebration is available online.