Catonsville 4th Of July Parade, Fireworks: 2018 Guide

CATONSVILLE, MD — The chairs have begun lining Frederick Road, meaning the annual Catonsville Fourth of July parade is not too far behind. The Catonsville 4th of July Committee is organizing the festivities, which run from 8:30 a.m. to after 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4.

The fireworks display this year will incorporate a special tribute to first responders after Baltimore County lost a police officer in the line of duty and a National Guardsman died in the Ellicott City flood in May.

Frederick Road will be closed along the parade route at 2 p.m.

The Frederick Road exit on Interstate 695 will also be closed, according to organizers.

While the weather will be steamy for parades, concerts and other July 4 fun, the Maryland weather forecast looks favorable for events to go off as planned. The National Weather Service says there is a 20 percent chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon on Wednesday with a high near 92; it will feel like 100 degrees across much of the state. On Wednesday night the 20 percent chance of rain lingers, with isolated showers and storm before 3 a.m. and mostly cloudy skies.

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Here is the full schedule of events for Wenesday, July 4:

8:30 a.m. Bike from Frederick Road to Fort McHenry and back to Catonsville as part of a patriotic ride hosted by Catonsville Rails to Trails. Riders are encouraged to wear red, white and blue. Meet at Atwater's Bakery, 815 Frederick Road.

9:30 a.m. Kids will have a ball playing games at the Catonsville High School athletic fields at the corner of Rolling Road and Valley Road, with offerings like sack races, a water balloon toss, leap frog, wheelbarrow races, ball on a spoon race, lollipop scramble, quarter hunt and decorated bike contest. There will be prizes for winners. Age groups are divided as follows: 2–3 years, 4–6 years, 7–9 years and 10–13 years. Bike contest participants are encouraged to ride in the parade at 3 p.m. Games are sponsored by the Catonsville Men’s Civic Association, Catonsville Recreation and Parks and Association of Government Accountants.

11 a.m. Listen to live music at the Independence Day Concert at Christian Temple. The Christian Temple choir and other singers from the area will perform patriotic music. Howard County's Fugitive Brass Quintet and the Christian Temple Chancel Bell Choir will also perform. Seating fills up so guests are encouraged to arrive early. Christian Temple is at 5820 Edmondson Avenue.

3 p.m. Catonsville's annual Fourth of July Parade travels along Frederick Road from Montrose Avenue to Bloomsbury Avenue to the Community Center, 106 Bloomsbury Avenue. This is the 69th year for the parade, and the theme is "Founded in Freedom." See a map of the route with closure information. The event is rain or shine.

6:30 p.m. Fireworks Family Fun Fest offers an earlier night for those looking to turn in before the fireworks. There will be music from Reality Jones and Crushing Day as well as food vendors. This fest will be held at the Catonsville High School athletic fields, Valley Road.

9:30 p.m. Fireworks at Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Avenue, Catonsville. The Catonsville 4th of July Committee presents a "Blue Salute" in honor of the community's fallen heroes, to open the fireworks show. What organizers say is a "massive all blue fireworks display" will launch the fireworks, followed by a 30-second period of silence to reflect on the sacrifices made by heroes, including Officer Amy Caprio, who was killed in the line of duty May 21 in Perry Hall, and Staff Sgt. Eddison Hermond, who died during the flood May 27 in Ellicott City. The traditional display will follow the period of silence. The rain date for the fireworks is 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 7.

The events are put together by the Catonsville 4th of July Committee.

Pictured, this chair was spotted by Catonsville Patch on June 16. Photo by Elizabeth Janney.

How early did you see chairs on Frederick Road? Tell us in the comments!

Main photo of fireworks by Shutterstock.

This article has been corrected.