Fireworks synchronized to music, two stages featuring live entertainment and food vendors are among the attractions planned for Howard County's Independence Day festival July 4.

This year's event marks the first time the county government has sponsored and organized the annual celebration, which will be held in its usual location on the shore of Lake Kittamaqundi, in downtown Columbia.

County Executive Kenneth Ulman announced that the county would take over the show in March after members of the Kiwanis Club of Columbia -- the event's previous longtime sponsor -- determined they did not have enough volunteers to plan and operate the event this year.

Ulman assigned the task to the Department of Recreation and Parks. Officials expect the event will draw at least 25,000 people and cost $100,000.

In planning the festival, the parks department hired Millington, N.J.-based Garden State Fireworks to synchronize the fireworks to tunes such as the "1812 Overture," "God Bless America" and the Olympic anthem.

The company uses a computer program to time the fireworks display to music played over loudspeakers. The 20-minute firework display is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.

"It should be great," said Laura Wetherald, deputy bureau chief of recreation and administrative services. "I can't believe it is going to be here soon."

Wetherald, who will serve as chairwoman of the celebration, added that her department is being assisted by the county's police, fire and health departments.

Before the nighttime display, performers and vendors will set up displays at the lakefront.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m., musicians and other acts will perform on two stages, with one of the stages dedicated to children's programming.

Vendors selling polish sausage, ice cream, cake, Italian food and other snacks have signed up to participate in the event. The celebration also will feature children's games and strolling performers such as balloonists.

Free parking for the festival will be located near Merriweather Post Pavilion.

County to foot bill this year

The Columbia chapter of the Kiwanis Club, a nonprofit community service group, had operated the fireworks display for 18 years. The club lost money on the event in recent years after losing a parking contract with the Columbia mall in which the club collected a fee from those who parked at the mall to attend the fireworks, Kiwanis leaders have said.

When the county picked up the sponsorship of the event, Ulman and his staff decided to create a $100,000 budget for the event, which exceeds the $31,500 budget the Kiwanis Club used in 2006.

County officials are continuing to accept donations from organizations to help pay for the celebration. Five groups have said they would contribute, said Kevin Enright, a spokesman for Ulman.

As of June 19, the Columbia Association had donated $6,500 and Apple Ford had donated $3,000, Enright said, adding that county officials anticipate paying for the majority of the $100,000 event.

"We certainly need the next two weeks, but we're on schedule for the actual day of events," Enright said.

After the celebration, event planners will evaluate the festival and determine whether the county wants to continue as the sponsor, he said.

For updates about the celebration, listen to 1700 AM radio on July 4. In the event of rain, the fireworks display will take place July 6.

For more information, call Ella Carter at the Department of Recreation and Parks at 410-313-1671.

---

user comments (0)