Montgomery County July 4 2017 Fireworks Guide: Times, Locations, Weather Forecast

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Many communities in Montgomery County have Fourth of July parades, picnics and fireworks planned, with two displays sponsored by the county. And early indications are that there may be some rain when you're grilling, biking or heading to a parade, but it won't be a total washout.

The National Weather Service calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Look for mostly cloudy skies with a high near 93. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent. The chance of scattered rain showers before 2 am creeps up to 50 percent. Skies tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Here's a list of what's planned, compiled from Montgomery Community Media and news releases:

• In Germantown, the South Germantown Recreation Park, 8041 Central Park Circle, Germantown (Boyds), is the place to hear live music and to see the fireworks. The Germantown Glory celebration begins at 7 p.m. with a concert and the fireworks should go off around 9:15 p.m. The concert is by Quiet Fire, a soul, R&B and rock band that covers hits from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Follow signs for free on-site parking. Low lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome at both events. Food vendors will be on site. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Rain Date: For fireworks only is July 5. Find out more, here.
• In Kensington, enjoy a concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the Mid-County Sparkles show will go off about 9:15 p.m. at Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Road, Kensington. Mid-County Sparkles begins with a concert by Gringo Jingo performing the best of Santana. Only parking for individuals with disabilities will be available on-site at Einstein High School. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided from Westfield Wheaton. Parking at Westfield Wheaton will open at 6 p.m. Event-goers who park at Westfield Wheaton before 6 p.m. may have their vehicles towed. Shuttle service from Westfield Wheaton to Einstein High School can be accessed between the North Building and the CVS. Follow event parking/shuttle signage. Shuttle service will begin at 6:15 p.m. Low lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome at both events. Food vendors will be on site. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Rain Date: If it rains, the fireworks only will be held July 5.
• In Poolesville, the Polo Grounds off Hughes Road are the place to see the fireworks. Find out more about the town’s celebration, here. No rain date.
• In Rockville, the city’s celebration is set at Mattie. J. T. Stepanek Park in King Farm and it begins at 6 p.m. Details can be found, here.
• In Takoma Park, the Independence Day celebration begins with a parade and caps off at 9:30 p.m. with the town’s fireworks. Find out more, here. Rain Date: In the event of rain, the fireworks will be held on the next clear evening.

>> Don't drink and drive this holiday. Find out how you can get a free Lyft Ride in Montgomery County this Fourth of July.

Washington, DC: The grand-daddy of them all will be in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall event each year.

A day full of events includes the Independence Day Parade, United States Army Band concert and the Capitol Fourth concert, with the signature event being the fireworks celebration after dark.

Fireworks are launched beginning at 9:09 p.m. from the reflecting pool area. The show lasts 17 minutes and 30 seconds and is visible from locations in D.C. and Virginia, according to the National Park Service. See event maps from the NPS.

Rain Date: If it rains or there is low ceiling cloud cover, the fireworks will be held July 5 at 9:09 p.m. The concerts will not be repeated on the rain date.

If you're viewing from the National Mall, here are tips:

• Plan to arrive early, and to protect yourself from heat-related illness. See Directions and Plan Your Visit.
• Viewing areas on the National Mall near the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool will be accessible only through secure access points.
• Consider wearing hearing protection. These fireworks are BIG and LOUD.
• Consider wearing eye protection to protect yourself from falling debris (ash).
• Consider not bringing pets (some get very scared of the loud booms).
• Immediately following the fireworks, areas along Independence Avenue between the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial will be closed for safety related to the fireworks launch site. The road will re-open after cleanup crews have completed their inspection and removed any hazardous materials.

Other viewing areas include:

• Washington DC: U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The White House Ellipse, West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park, Anacostia Park
• Virginia: U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and the George Washington Memorial Parkway

Held on the U.S. Capitol's west lawn, the Capitol Fourth concert line-up this year includes John Stamos, The Beach Boys, the National Symphony Orchestra and more.

Photo: Pixabay