What's Open, Closed In Columbia For July 4, 2020, Observation

COLUMBIA, MD — The Fourth of July will be celebrated differently this year by many due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Fireworks, parades, festivals, community concerts and other celebrations have been cancelled, leaving residents to find ways to celebrate at home. But one thing we can count on is a scheduled holiday and delays in some services.

Because July 4 falls on a Saturday, the Independence Day holiday will be observed on Friday, July 3. Howard County government offices, courts, the animal shelter and 50+ centers will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 3. Here are additional closures to note:

• The Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open July 3, but will be closed Saturday, July 4.
• Even though county government offices will be closed July 3, there will be regular Friday trash, recycling, yard trim and food scrap collection that day. The county’s holiday slide schedule will not be in affect the week of Independence Day; there also is no change to the county’s curbside collection schedule the week of June 29 to July 4.
• With the exception of county parks, playgrounds and outdoor amenities, all county department of recreation and parks’ centers and facilities are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recreation and parks’ three community centers, Meadowbrook Athletic Complex, Robinson Nature Center, Patapsco Female Institute, Firehouse Museum and Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum are set to open in early July after July 4.
• On July 3, the Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) will operate its regular weekday schedule; however, on July 4, RTA will run a “Sunday” schedule. Normal service resumes Monday, July 6. Howard County parking fees will not be enforced on July 3 and July 4.
• County libraries are closed July 3-4.