Things Bel Air Police Wish You Knew About 4th Of July In Town

BEL AIR, MD — Every year the Bel Air Independence Day Celebration draws crowds to Main Street and Rockfield Park. The officers at the Bel Air Police Department offered some tips ahead of time to ensure everyone is safe, and that lines are clear for emergencies.

A rule of thumb from Corporal McComas: "Do not drive around barriers. No one wants a citation souvenir."

McComas provided these additional insights to help you navigate the Bel Air festivities:

DON'T call the Bel Air Police Department to ask about the parade and fireworks schedule.

This ties up phone lines when people may be calling with emergencies, the corporal said.

Here are the times you need to know:

• 4-4:30 p.m. — Road closures in downtown Bel Air begin
• 6 p.m. — Parade starts
• 9:30 p.m. — Fireworks go off in Rockfield Park

SEE ALSO: Bel Air 4th Of July Parade, Fireworks: Event Schedule

DO anticipate road closures.

The closures come in waves, for the parade and then the fireworks. The first round begins at 4 p.m. to prepare for the parade, including on Route 924 at Macphail Road, where staging is occurring. More take effect at 5:30 p.m., namely the length of Main Street, from Idlewild to Broadway.

Starting at 6 p.m., the parade route will run from South Main Street at Idlewild to North Main Street at East Gordon Street.

After the parade, there will be a new set of road closures around Route 22 in preparation for the fireworks.

Those closures will begin at 8:15 p.m. and remain in effect until the conclusion of the show. Road closures include Shamrock Road at Route 22/Churchville Road; Hickory Avenue at Route 22; Fulford Avenue at Maitland Street; Fulford Avenue at Route 924/Main Street; Lee Way at Route 22; and Bynum Run Park at 715 Churchville Road.

Around 9:30 p.m., the fireworks will go off at Rockfield Park, 501 East Churchville Road.

Failing to respect the barriers in place may result in a citation.

DON'T honk or call 911 about traffic jams after the parade.

"The Bel Air parking garage is always jammed with vehicles, which makes getting out take a long time, and also does not allow vehicles to get in easily," McComas wrote on the Bel Air Police Department's Facebook page. "At the conclusion of the events, we ask that you please have patience."

To keep traffic moving, the corporal said that main highways and roads are given the priority, and that can cause backups on side streets.

"Do not honk your horns, or call the police department saying you have been sitting for 30 min. We will not forget about you," McComas wrote.

Since there are so many vehicles and pedestrians around Bel Air for the Fourth of July celebration, the corporal said officers from other jurisdictions are enlisted to come to town to help all attendees get out safely.

DO have a good time and take precautions.

"As always, enjoy the festivities and be safe," McComas said. "Please don't drink, and drive and make sure all valuables are secure. Don't become a victim."

Keep shiny things out of view in your vehicle, and be sure to lock it too.

Lots of people will be in town for the celebration. The July 4 parade in Bel Air is one of the largest in the state, according to the Bel Air Independence Day Committee.