The Darlington Lions Independence Day Committee is actively making preparations for the 32nd annual Darlington Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, June 27.
The annual Darlington parade and fireworks kick off the Independence Day celebrations in and around Harford County.
Staging for the parade will begin at 4 p.m. at the truck scales and weigh station on Route 1 in Darlington, with the parade originating from this location starting promptly at 5:30 p.m.
This year's parade will include antique cars and tractors, representation from multiple fire companies, local politicians, floats from non-profit organizations and two high school marching bands.
Individuals or organizations interested in participating in the parade can send an email to darlingtonparade@aol.com for more information.
Route 1 will be closed to through traffic at Castleton Road for approximately one hour for the parade. Main Street in Darlington and the southern portion of Shuresville Road, from Main Street to Silver Park, will be closed for the duration of the parade.
Following the parade, there will be entertainment and food vendors located at Silver Park to await the start of the fireworks at dusk.
The Darlington Lions Independence Day committee also announces that that BGE, an Exelon Company, will sponsor the evening fireworks for the event.
Taking a page from some of the larger Independence Day celebrations in the area, this represents Darlington's first commercial sponsor of the fireworks, the committee said in a news release.
"Despite significant donations from local businesses and local residents last year, the event ran in the red and required an infusion of funding to ensure its solvency," Event Chair Larry Burton said in a statement. "We are happy to have BGE, an Exelon Company, on board to augment our local donations to ensure all expenses are covered while allowing us to increase the size of the fireworks display over past years."
Other Harford County area Independence Day celebrations schedules are as follows:
• July 4, Kingsville Parade – The parade starts at 10:45 a.m. near the triangle of Route 1, Bradshaw Road and Jerusalem Road. This year's theme is "Proud to be an American." No rain date.
• July 4, Bel Air Independence Day Celebration, Parade, Fireworks – Popular events begin at 6:45 a.m. with the flag raising at Bel Air High School, followed by the pancake breakfast at the high school and then fun events at Rockfield and Shamrock parks, including the frog jumping, turtle derby and horseshoe pitching tournament. The parade along Main Street, starting this year at Main Street and Idlewild Street and marching north, begins at 6 p.m., with this year's theme "An Olde-Fashioned Fourth of July!" If the parade is canceled because of inclement weather, it will not be rescheduled. Fireworks will launch from Rockfield Park at approximately 9:30 p.m. Rain date for the fireworks, weather permitting, is July 5.
• July 5 – Havre de Grace Parade, Concert and Fireworks – The parade along Union Avenue, starting a Warren Street, begins at 2 p.m., and proceeds north to Tydings Park, where there will be a concert featuring the multi-dimensional and talented rock band Head Rush, starting 7 p.m. Fireworks in the park will follow the concert. The annual carnival will be open in the park 6-10:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, July 1-3, and 4-10:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5. There is no rain date for the parade and fireworks.
• July 5 – Joppatowne-Edgewood Parade and Concert – The parade along Hanson Road, starting near Route 715, will begin at 6 p.m. This year's theme is "Feature Films Rolling By." A free concert featuring Steel Pandemic steel drum band will be from 8-9:30 p.m. at Flying Point Park off Willoughby Beach Road and Kennard Avenue.