Region fills tall order for Independence Day events

On the town

Friday, July 3, 2009

Enjoy fireworks at Chesapeake Beach on July 3. Start the day at Chesapeake Beach Water Park and end with a fireworks show at sunset on the beach, a press release suggests. The water park, which will be open until 10 p.m., is at 10479 Creekside Drive, Chesapeake Beach. North Beach's weekly farmers market will be held from 5-8 p.m. July 3. Go to www.chesapeakebeach.md.us.

Watermelon bash

La Plata is sponsoring a Fourth of July celebration and Watermelon Bash from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. July 4 at town hall, 305 Queen Anne St. The event will include free musical entertainment, kids' activities, hotdogs, bottled water and ice cream. The watermelon event will feature free watermelon slices, a watermelon eating contest, a watermelon roll for kids 5 and younger and a watermelon toss. Call 301-934-8421. E-mail\ apena@townoflaplata.org.

Charles County Fairgrounds

Gates will open at 4 p.m. July 4 for music and entertainment. Fireworks begin at dusk. Charles County Fairgrounds is at 8440 Fairgrounds Road, La Plata. Call 301-932-1234.

Freedom Fest

The event will be held at 5 p.m. July 4 at the St. Mary's County Fairgrounds, Route 5, Leonardtown. A fireworks display will start at dusk. Freedom Fest is an alcohol- and drug-free family celebration held annually at the fairgrounds and includes entertainment, food, family activities and fireworks. Bands include the Varsity Letter, Lifted Down, Upperdeck, Space Lumberjacks and Lifeblood. In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks will go off July 5. If the fireworks need to be postponed, the information will be added to the county's information line at 301-475-4200, ext. 4911.

Solomons Island Riverwalk

Celebrate Independence Day with a public fireworks display July 4 at Solomons Island River Walk. Go to www.sba.solomons.md.us.

Indian Head

An Independence Day celebration will begin at 3:30 p.m. July 4 with a patriotic opening ceremony and continue until 10 p.m. with amusements, live entertainment and fireworks. Amusement rides will be available from 4-8 p.m. Bands include Broken Stigma, Late Epiphany and The Wise Guys, and fireworks begin at 9:10 p.m. The event will be held at the Village Green Park, 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head. No pets or alcohol.

St. Charles

The 29th annual fireworks display will be held between 9 and 9:30 p.m. July 4 at the lakes of Smallwood Village, St. Charles. The rain date is July 5.

Sotterley Plantation

An Independence Day concert will be held from 1-4 p.m. July 5 at Sotterley Plantation. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to a patriotic concert by the Chesapeake Brass Ensemble with Jeffrey Silberschlag. Bruster's Real Ice Cream will introduce new flavors in honor of Maryland's 375th birthday and the "On A Roll" cart will sell hot dogs. There will be a raffle, silent auction, wine tastings and art displays. Sotterley is at 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood. Fee is $10. Go to www.sotterley.org.