Bowie's Fourth of July Fireworks Canceled

For the first time in more than 40 years, the city of Bowie will not sponsor Fourth of July fireworks after a deal with the Bowie Baysox organization to allow the event fell apart.

On its website, city officials said the Bowie Baysox organization informed them earlier this year that conflicts with games over the Fourth of July weekend mean the stadium cannot host Bowie’s Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display.

Calling the cancelation “an extremely disappointing turn of events,” city officials said Bowie has hosted a Fourth of July celebration for more than 40 years. Leaders had been assured that the annual game schedule could accommodate a night for the city-sponsored celebration.

After evaluating potential alternative sites and finding them lacking, city officials decided to forego city-sponsored fireworks in 2015.

Bowie Mayor Fred Robinson is disappointed about what has happened, but said it could not be helped.

“This is not a conclusion that was reached easily. Bowie fireworks have been a long-standing Bowie tradition and one of those special hometown events that we have treasured as a way to celebrate the founding of our great nation. We will miss hosting the celebration this year and are very sorry to disappoint our residents.”

In 2012, the City of Bowie teamed up with the Baysox organization for what was expected to become a Fourth of July tradition. As part of the move, the city-sponsored fireworks were moved to the Prince George’s Stadium and the fireworks display was combined with a concert by the Fabulous Hubcaps.

The change of venue was necessary because Allen Pond Park, which had been the scene of Fourth of July celebrations for decades, had become too small and too difficult to manage the crowds that watched the fireworks, the city says.

City employees are already exploring alternatives for 2016, including going back to Prince George’s Stadium.

List of Free 4th of July Fireworks Displays

Fireworks displays planned in the region include:

• Annapolis City Dock - Annapolis. Parade and fireworks: Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Parade Route: West Street, around Church Circle, down Main Street to the City Dock. Naval Academy’s Concert Band will perform at the end of City Dock just prior to the fireworks. Call 410-263-1183 for more information.
• Bowie Baysox - Prince George’s Stadium, 4101 NE Crain Hwy. Fireworks after the game.
• Boyds/Germantown - 18041 Central Park Circle, Boyds, MD. Patriotic concert at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
• Catonsville Celebrations - Bike ride, games, fireworks and more. Free. 8:30 a.m. Various venues, Catonsville. www.catonsvillecelebrations.org.
• College Park - University of Maryland Parking Lot 1 Concert at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Call 301-864-8877 for more information.
• Columbia - Lake Kittamaquandi, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Call 410-740-4545 for more information.
• Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. - National Independence Day Parade - Bands, floats, military and specialty units, special guests and more to celebrate America’s birthday. Free. 11:45 a.m. Visit www.july4thparade.com for more information.
• Gaithersburg - Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg. 301-258-6350. Gates open at 5 p.m. Walk-in at Chestnut or Dalamar Streets; the Perry Parkway entrance will be closed. Entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks at dusk.
• Greenbelt - Buddy Attick Park, 555 Crescent Road. Fireworks at Dusk.
• Kensington/Wheaton - Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Road, Kensington. Entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks show will begin about 9:15 p.m. Free shuttle bus service will pick up passengers beginning at 6:15 p.m. at Westfield Wheaton and the Wheaton Metro Station.
• Laurel - Granville Gude Park, Laurel Lake, Laurel. Parade at 11 a.m. Fireworks at dusk.
• Rockville - Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville. Additional parking will be available at Rockville Town Center. Live entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Six Flags America - Mitchellville. The amusement park sponsors a spectacular fireworks display on July 4th. Enjoy a full day of family entertainment.
• Takoma Park -Takoma Park Middle School 711 Piney Brach Road, Takoma Park. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• West Lawn, Washington DC - “A Capitol Fourth” - Performances, live cannon fire and fireworks display. Free. 8 p.m. U.S. Capitol.