Fourth of July weekend family activities
With Friday being a holiday for lots of working folks, this weekend is all about Independence Day, all the time. We have a few activities not related to the holiday, but much of what you'll find here has an element of flag-waving fun.
Our roundup includes the more kid-friendly Fourth of July displays, parades, etc. For a more complete list of holiday events, please visit our entertainment page.
Thanks to intern Kayla Cross for her contributions:
Thursday, July 2:Creating Magic and Stuff: Kids under age 6 can learn magic tricks and comedy at the North Point Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library at 2 p.m. Free.
Anime Drawing: Teens 11-17 can learn how to draw anime characters at 7 p.m. at the Towson Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library. Bring your own paper and pencil. Free.
Friday, July 3:
African-American Heritage Festival: The annual festival of African-American history and culture at Camden Yards Sports Complex features a children's corner with youth-oriented performances. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. $5; children 12 and under free.
Saturday, July 4:
4th of July Family Jump Time: Pump up the Fourth of July family fun at the Owings Mills Pump It Up Inflatable Party Zone. Bring your own socks and enjoy jumping on the inflatable houses, obstacle courses and more. This event is free for parents, but costs $8 per child, and lasts from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Limited to 50 children.
Fort McHenry: An old-fashioned Fourth of July Weekend at Fort McHenry runs from noon-4:30 p.m. Saturday. There won’t be any fireworks, but there will be a cannon firing, a musket salute, period dancing and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 3 p.m. Fort McHenry is at 2400 E. Fort Ave. Free. Call 410-962-4290.
Towson: The Fourth of July Parade in Towson starts at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Bosley Avenue and Towsontown Boulevard and includes clowns, bands, military units and floats. Fireworks are over Loch Raven Academy, 8101 LaSalle Road, at dusk. Free. Call 410-832-2190.
Catonsville: Catonsville hosts a full day of events on Saturday. Starting at 9:30 a.m., enjoy children’s games and races followed by live music, a grand parade at 3 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., watch the 1st Annual Catonsville Hot Dog Eating Contest to see who earns the title of "Catonsville Biggest Weiner." Fireworks at Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave. Free. Call 410-744-9655 or go to catonsvillecelebrations.org.
Bel Air: The Bel Air Independence Day celebration takes place at Shamrock Park Saturday. The flag raising and the blueberry pancake and sausage breakfast take place at Bel Air Middle School. Other events include a hamster race, a turtle derby, a frog-jumping contest and children’s games. At 6 p.m., the parade will begin at the intersection of E. Gordon Street and North Main Street and will continue down North Main Street. Free. Go to belairjuly4.org.
Havre de Grace: The Independence Celebration and Carnival runs through Sunday. The parade takes place on Sunday at 2 p.m. on Union Avenue. A concert is at 7 p.m. and fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. The carnival runs from 6-10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for individual rides. Other activities are free. Call 410-939-4362.Columbia: Catch some fireworks choreographed to patriotic music from 5-10 p.m. The event includes live bands and a children’s entertainment area at the Columbia Lakefront, 10221 Wincopin Circle. Free. Call 410-313-4452.
Sunday, July 5:
Stars of Japan: The Walters Art Museum will be celebrating the Japanese Festival of Stars with poetry paintings, streaming stories, wishing stars and other activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free.
(Photo by Baltimore Sun photographer Doug Kapustin)
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