Fourth of July Celebrations Dundalk, MD

I live in a suburb of Baltimore called Daundalk MD. We have lived here all our lives, and our traditions that frame a community continue to enhance over the years. We as all other citizens of this great country enjoy the celebrations that were earned through the hard work and commitment of those that went before us.

On the Fourth of July, in the morning we are greated with small American Flags that are placed on our front lawns from a local real estate company, they have been sending employees around the neighborhood for the past ten years and it is such a pleasure to see that flag gracing each front lawn. On the third of July the local residents stake out their areas with lawn chairs and blankets so that they have a great view of the annual fourth of July parade, We pack up our lawn chairs and head out early in the morning to the Dundalk 4th of July Parade that is held in Historic Dundalk area. We have three stages of the parade, red, white and blue. We have marching bands that come from as far away as Canada, we have had marching bands join our parade from Tennessee, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and other states. The parade is one of the largest held in Maryland and is always covered on our local television stations. The politicians show up and grace the parade, we have the Mummers come in and perform, the parade lasts around two hours and is really enjoyable.

After the parade, we head over to the Heritgage Fair, this is a three day event that host craftsman, rides, food, bands, beer gardens and a lot of local talent. It is held adjeacent to where the parade ends in the heart of Dundalk. We have been going there for years and everyone enjoys themselves. After you have seen the fair, we normally head to the Sparrow Point Country Club, there they have a family day, there is hot food, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, hamburgers, Corn on the Cob, watermellon, ice cold drinks, we enjoy the pool and sun for the day. They sponsor games for the children and golf for the men, me I sit at the pool, on a lawn chair and sip an iced tea and read a book.

Around five o'clock, we finish up at the pool and head for home, we shower and change and then we take our blankets and lawn chairs and head out to see the Fourth of July Fireworks at North Point. There are a number of places within fifteen minutes of home to watch the fireworks, I like to stay close to home however we have gone down town on occassionto see the Fire Works Display at the Inner Harbor.

If you plan on spending the day in Downtown Baltimore, they have a number of things to do during the day before the fire works display in the evening, there is face painting for the kids, the paddle boats inthe inner harbor, Duck rides to see the city. There is free entertainment held by the Contellation, you can go to a discounted day at the Aquarium or Science Center. Alll around the inner harbor there are street performers, magicians, clowns, poets, music performers. At dusk the Baltimore Symphony sets up to perform music while the fireworks go off. It is enjoyable however very crowded, and the traffic going home is horrendous. That is why I like to stay at home and just walk over to the fireworks that are close to home.

We hope that you enjoy your Fourth of July as much as we do. Happy Fourth Everyone.