A booming holiday

Plenty to do for Independence Day weekend

Friday, July 4, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by DARWIN WEIGEL E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by GARY SMITH Spectators, below, are mesmorized by the fireworks, above, at the Charles County Fairgrounds. Click here to enlarge this photo

There are also events like ‘‘Independence Day Funfest” in St. Charles, which begin in the morning and end in the afternoon, allowing families plenty of time to go somewhere else for fireworks.

Fireworks

Solomons — The fireworks return to the venue off Solomon Riverwalk. The fireworks will be shot off a barge in the Patuxent River. Parking is available at Glascock Field (across from the Calvert Marine Museum) and in the public lot behind Solomons Medical Center. There will be shuttles from Glascock Field. Go to http:⁄⁄www.sba.solomons.md.us⁄solomons-4th-of-july.html.

Calvert Marine Museum — At 8 p.m. July 4, participants can watch fireworks from the Wm. B Tennison steamboat. There will also be afternoon cruises at 12:30, 2 and 3:10. Tickets are $30. Children younger than 7 are not allowed to attend. Registration is required. The museum is at 14150 Solomons Island Road, Solomons. Call 410-326-2042, Ext. 41.Go to http:⁄⁄www.calvertmarinemuseum.com⁄wm_b_tennison.htm#July%204.

St. Charles — There will be fireworks from 9-9:30 p.m. July 4 on the lakes of Smallwood Village, St. Charles. View them from the Smallwood Village shopping center. Call 301-392-9456.

St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds — Freedom Fest 2007 will be from 5-10:30 p.m. July 5 at St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, Route 5, Leonardtown. The event, which features family activities as well as fireworks from 9:30-10 p.m., is alcohol free. There will be two stages of music. On the main stage: Park Hall True Holiness from 5-6:15 p.m., Evel Twyn from 6:30-7:45 p.m. and Six Gun South from 8-9:20 p.m. On the pavilion stage: Southern Maryland Belly Dance Co-op from 7-7:40 p.m. and David Bluze from 7:45-8:20 p.m. Blue Sky Puppets will be in the new building from 7:45-8:20 p.m. Call 301-475-4200.

Indian Head — ‘‘Patriotic Kick Off Ceremony” is from 3:30-10 p.m. July 4 at the Village Green Park, 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head. The event features live entertainment, amusements and fireworks. Alcohol is prohibited. Call 301-743-5511. Go to www.townofindianhead.org.

Blue Crabs — The July 4 and 5 games will both feature fireworks. The July 4 game is at 7:05 p.m. July 5 is scheduled to be the first doubleheader in franchise history. It will be a separate-admission doubleheader with the first game at noon and the second game at 6:35 p.m., with fireworks after the game. Go towww.somdbluecrabs.com.

Charles County Fairgrounds — The event is from 5-10 p.m. July 4 at Charles County Fairgrounds, La Plata. There will be fireworks as well children’s activities like pony rides, moon bounce and face-painting. You can bring food or buy from vendors. Alcohol is prohibited. The event is free. Call 301-643-0033.

River Concert Series — The River Concert Series at St. Mary’s College features renowned jazz vocalist Hilary Kole at 7 p.m. July 4. Kole will perform selections by George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Cole Porter. Director Jeffrey Silberschlag and The Chesapeake Orchestra will perform additional classics, including Sousa and Filmore’s ‘‘Marches,” Joplin’s ‘‘Ragtime,” and Tchaikovsky’s ‘‘1812 Overture.” Fireworks follow the performances. Grounds open at 5 p.m. Call 240-895-2024. Go to www.riverconcertseries.com.

Concerts and family events

Sotterley Plantation — Jeffrey Silberschlag and the Chesapeake Orchestra Brass Quintet will perform from 1-4 p.m July 6 on the front lawn of the Sotterley Plantation Mansion, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood. There will be a brown bag and silent auction as well as children’s activities. Cost is $10 per vehicle. Free for military. Call 301-373-2280. Go to www.sotterley.org.

O’Donnell Lake Restaurant Park — ‘‘Independence Day Funfest” from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 4 will include ‘‘Dalmatian Fun Zone,” moon bounce and an 80-foot-long obstacle. Boston’s restaurant will sell food. Players from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will sign autographs. O’Donnell Lake Restaurant Park is off of Smallwood Drive near the St. Charles Towne Center in St. Charles. Tickets are $5 and $10 for families of four.

La Plata — The free July 4 event from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the La Plata Train Station features music by Solid Brass and tours of the museum and caboose. There will be children’s activities and free hot dogs, water and ice cream. The train station is at 100 Kent Ave., La Plata. Call 301-934-8421.