Laurel's annual Independence Day Celebration will be held Saturday, July 2, beginning with a morning parade and ending with fireworks at dusk at Gude Park at Laurel Lakes.
The parade begins at 11 a.m., and follows a route from Sixth and Montgomery streets, to south on Fourth Street to Cherry Lane. Antique and classic cars will lead the parade and then be on display at Gude Park through 4 p.m.
Parade grand marshals follow a military theme, and include representatives from the Air Force, Army and Marine recruiting offices in Laurel. Another grand marshal is Savage resident Herculano Dias, who was a member of an all-black Ranger unit in the Korean War that parachuted behind enemy lines.
Also serving as grand marshals are members of the Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team, who perform close order drills with 1903 Springfield rifles that have a 10-inch fixed bayonet.
The lineup of field games at Gude Park begins with a horseshoe contest at 11 a.m., followed by games for all ages, including adults, from 1-3 p.m. Live music begins at 5 p.m., and the fireworks will be set off from Laurel Lake at 9:15 p.m. Cherry Lane and a section of Mulberry Street will be closed before and during the fireworks display.
Alcohol, sparklers anddogs are not permitted at Gude Park, except working dogs.
Rain date, for fireworks only, is Sunday, July 3 at 9:15 p.m.
The Laurel 4th of July Committee organizes the city's annual celebration. Donations can be mailed to Laurel 4th of July Committee, P.O. Box 416, Laurel, MD 20725.
Schedule of events (all times are approximate)
9:30 a.m.Parade line up at Sixth and Montgomery streets
Antique and classic cars line up in parking lot behind McCullough Field
11 a.m.Horseshoe contest at Gude Park, Laurel Lakes
Parade begins, judging stand on Fourth Street behind Laurel Mall
Classic car show at Gude Park following parade, continues to 4 p.m.
1 p.m.Field events at Gude Park
3:15 p.m.Grand opening, national anthem sung by Sabrina Marth
Invocation by the Rev.Warren Litchfield
4 p.m.Parade awards and acknowledgements
4:30 p.m.Classic car show awards
5 p.m.Live music of Oracle from the stage
7 p.m.Opening remarks
7:30 p.m.Oracle performs
9:15 p.m.Fireworks from the lake