Howard County Area Guide to July Fourth Celebrations

There's no shortage of events in the Howard County area to celebrate Independence Day.

In no particular order, we offer this guide to celebrations in the area:

1. July 4 Fireworks at the Columbia Lakefront - July 4, 5 - 10 p.m. - The annual Howard County-sponsored fireworks take place at the Lakefront in Columbia. Residents are invited to start saving spots around the lakefront using blankets at 8 a.m. Tarps can be placed after 3 p.m. (to help keep the grass healthy). The fireworks starts at dusk, but get there early because Little Patuxent Parkway closes at 7 p.m. (so if you're going later, be prepared for a bit of a hike).

2. Catonsville July Fourth Parade and Fireworks - Frederick Road, Catonsville 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. - The whole day is composed of events at this popular Baltimore County parade. It kicks off with a bike ride at 8:30 a.m., kids games at 11 a.m., the grand parade at 3 p.m. and then a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. The event is so popular some residents begin placing chairs out along the parade route starting as early as mid-June. Click here for more information about events.

3. Regional Fireworks Displays and Parades - There are dozens of regional events and parades outside of the Howard County area from Baltimore down to Washington D.C.'s huge Independence Day Celebration. Patch has constructed an interactive map that includes locations and information about the wide variety of events happening. MAP: Find July 4th Fireworks Around Maryland.

4. Longfellow Neighborhood Parade and Baseball Game - July 4, 10 a.m. -The longest running parade in Columbia celebrates its 43rd anniversary this year. Anyone who attends is invited to participate in the parade. Lineup for the parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Longfellow Elementary School, with the march, led by a Howard County fire truck, set to begin at 10 a.m. Attendees are invited to watch from along the route, which winds down Hesperus Drive then back up Eliots Oak Road. The annual softball game between the Eliots Oak Nuts and Hesperus Wrecks begins after the parade. County Executive Ken Ulman will be the grand marshal this year, according to Barbara Russell, the event's organizer. 

5. River Hill Annual Independence Day Parade - July 4 along Great Star Drive in Clarksville, starting at 9 a.m. - The 14th annual River Hill Independence Day parade is a community event in which local residents build floats, kids decorate bikes, bands march, and dads in boxer shorts spin lawn chairs. The event begins at Pointers Run Elementary School and ends at the River Hill Village Center.

6. Allview Area Civic Association Parade - July 4, starting at 10 a.m., parade starts at noon - The Allview Area Civic Association parade begins with bike decorating at Atholton Park. Then floats, bikes and neighborhood groups parade around the community as local residents watch from their front yards. Patch attended the local community event last year.