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July 4th

Weekend Highlights, 7/3-7/5

July 02, 2009

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling the red, white and blue right about now, what with all of the fun July 4 activities coming up this weekend.  Following are some of my Independence Day weekend favorites.  And if you're interested in more fireworks listings (and heck, who isn't?), please have a visit over here.  Enjoy! 

Star-Spangled Spectacular - Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville
Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.
When I was a kid, this was my family's Fourth of July event, made irresistible by a picnic basket full of my mother's fried chicken and potato salad.  "Stars and Stripes Forever," as performed by the BSO, always put me in the patriotic spirit, and the fireworks, which were synchronized to the music, never failed to knock my Minnetonkas right off.  Fortunately, all these years later, nothing much about this event has changed; if you're looking for a fun and musical (though not cheap) way to spend your Independence Day, this might be your ticket.

African American Heritage Festival - Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-235-2227, ext. 211
Friday, 5- 10 p.m.; Saturday, 12-10 p.m.; Sunday, 12-8 p.m.
Drawing about half a million visitors each year, the African American Heritage Festival features fun for every member of the family.  Stop by the Children's Corner for activities and entertainment, and don't miss En Vogue, Teena Marie and Anita Baker, all of whom are headlining the event.  Oh, and did I mention the carnival rides?  Or the mouthwateringly delicious food? 

Towson Fourth of July Parade - Starting at Burke and Bosley Avenues, Towson, 410-832-2190
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
The parade gets rolling with a Blue Angels fly-over, followed just after by a procession of lots of people on bicycles.  Expect fire trucks, floats and numerous politicians, many of whom--let's be honest here--will be of little or no (let's just say no) interest to your preschooler.  The firefighters, police officers and occasional storms of free candy, however, should keep your little one entertained. 

USS Constellation Museum's 9th Annual Independence Day Deck Party - USS Constellation, Pier 301, Pratt Street, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, 410-539-1797
Saturday, 7-10 p.m.
Live music, barbecue grub, canon firings and fireworks.  And when I say fireworks, I don't mean just any fireworks--we're talking the big Inner Harbor fireworks extravaganza, people!  And all of this, need I remind you, will be served up on a boat!  An old, historic boat, mind you!  Can you envision a much better Independence Day celebration? 

Fourth of July Family Jump - Pump It Up, 11515 Cronridge Drive #J-K, Owings Mills, 410-356-9050
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Celebrate your independence by working up a sweat in an inflatable moon bounce.  People of all ages (and yes, that includes you) are encouraged to jump together, and as an added incentive, Pump It Up is going to let the grown-ups play for free.  This event is first come, first served, limited to 50 children, and contingent on your showing up with socks.  Don't be late!

Drop-In Art Activities: Stars of Japan - The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, 410-547-9000
Saturdays (though not open on July 4) and Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Another month means another new drop-in art activity at the Walters.  This month's focus is Tanabata, which, I just learned from Google, is a Japanese star festival. 

Spaces and Places: Art under Foot: Ancient Mosaics - Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, 2- 4 p.m., 443-573-1700
Sunday, 2-4 p.m
A new month means a new art activity at the BMA, too, and July's theme is mosaics. 

Science Alive for Kids!- Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center, 1000 Frankfurst Avenue, Baltimore, 410-355-1100
Sunday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Live animals, stories, puppets and crafts will bring science--as the name of the program suggests--to life for your little ones.  Intended mostly for preschoolers, this event, which is one in a series, is designed to get young children thinking about and playing with science. 

Excited as I am about the holiday weekend?  I hope so!  Now get out there and have some fun!   Read more...

A Dynamite Independence Day: Five of Our Favorite Fireworks Displays

June 30, 2009

I love fireworks.  It's possible, in fact, that I may even love fireworks more than my kids do, although my kids, never ones to cover their ears, do enjoy the cacophony of a good Fourth of July display.  Anyway, as you can imagine, I'm a big fan of this time of year.  And though I'm hard-pressed, given how great each one is, to pick five of the area's best fireworks extravaganzas, I must, and so I will.  So here, without further adieu, are five of the Baltimore metropolitan area's best:

Inner Harbor - Baltimore - July 4
Many people would agree, I think, that the Inner Harbor show is THE one to catch.  And while it is fantastic, what with the vastness and the lovely reflectiveness of the water, it is also a draw for about a jillion other people, which might make it less than ideal for you.  In any case, if you decide to brave it, be sure to get there early.  Parking will be at a premium, obviously, so your bet will be to take public transportation.  And why not get there early?  There will be events, including live music, starting as early 12 p.m.

Loch Raven Academy - 8101 LaSalle Road, Towson- July 4 (Rain date July 5)
You may remember, if you've been around these parts as long as I have, when they used to launch fireworks from Luskins' Hill.  Well, the Loch Raven Academy fireworks are the old Luskins' fireworks' grandkids . . . set off, essentially, by the same people and with equal amounts of enthusiasm.  Easy to get to and plenty entertaining, this display will not disappoint.  There's free parking all over the place--just cruise the surrounding neighborhoods--and lots of grass and blacktop for setting up your blankets and chairs.

Oregon Ridge - 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville - July 3 and July 4
If you want to class up your Fourth of July a little, why not head on up to Oregon Ridge, where you can catch a hearty helping of the rockets' red glare . . and patriotic favorites performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.  Bring your blankets, your chairs and a picnic dinner, and get ready for a crowded, musical Fourth.  Or, if you'd prefer to observe the fireworks from afar, try parking at any one of the numerous lots in nearby Hunt Valley (not sure which ones offer the best vantage points; you may need to experiment a little).

The Barge - 2330 Seneca Road, Middle River - July 4 (Rain date July 5)
If you like your fireworks over water, but are none-too-psyched about the prospect of fighting the crowds at the Inner Harbor, you might enjoy this display over scenic Middle River.  Find parking in one of the surrounding neighborhoods and prepare yourself for one of the flashiest shows in town.  A favorite with locals and boaters alike, these bombs in the air are pretty fabulous.

Walkersville Southern Railroad- 34 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Walkersville, 877-363-WSRR - July 2
I've included this, in spite of the fact that I've never actually experienced it, just because it sounds so awesome.  Here, though, before you go, is some stuff you should know:

1.  The fireworks, as noted above, will be launched on July 2
2.  Walkersville is approximately 50 miles from Baltimore
3.  You ride a train to see the fireworks!!
4.  You should bring a flashlight and a blanket along on the train
5.  Train!  Fireworks!!

Also, for your enjoyment, there's a carnival that you can check out in town.  Can you imagine anything more super-fun?

However you end up enjoying the Fourth, keep it safe!  I don't want to hear about any blown-off fingers now, you hear?   Read more...

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