ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, along with the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, Columbia Association, and other community organizations, announced the County’s annual Fireworks Display at the Lakefront in Downtown Columbia, beginning at 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4th. The free event will also include food trucks beginning at 5:00 p.m. and live musical performances hosted by the Columbia Festival of the Arts beginning at 6:00 p.m. Pictures from the announcement can be found here.

Summer in Howard County is a special time, marked by family events, activities, and the longstanding Howard County tradition of the Fourth of July fireworks right here at the Lakefront. Howard County’s annual Fourth of July celebration includes wonderful food trucks, exceptional musical performances, and fun for the entire family. More than 50,000 visitors attend the festivities each year, and we can’t wait to see our Lakefront filled with friends, families, and neighbors again.

Calvin Ball
Howard County Executive

“Howard County Recreation & Parks has worked closely with Columbia Association, Columbia Festival of the Arts, and the Howard Hughes Corporation for many years to put on fireworks at this location,” said Howard County Recreation & Parks Bureau Chief of Parks Bryan Moody. “We hope to start the 20-minute firework show at around 9:20 PM, weather pending. If there is inclement weather that requires us to cancel, we will have the fireworks only on July 5th at dusk.” 
 
"The collaboration that makes the July 4th festivities happen is truly a testament to how we can best serve the community when we do so together," Columbia Association (CA) Interim President/CEO Dennis Mattey said. "We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Downtown Columbia Lakefront - a space CA is proud to maintain and program year round - for this incredible tradition. It shows just how important this space is in connecting and convening the entire community. We hope everyone will take advantage of the new resource guide we've put together to ensure you are prepared to enjoy the evening." 
 
“As the community developer for Downtown Columbia, The Howard Hughes Corporation is proud to be a partner on the annual July 4th festivities at Lake Kittamaqundi. There is truly no greater place to be to celebrate all that July 4th signifies than our beloved lakefront,” said Greg Fitchitt, President of the Columbia Region for The Howard Hughes Corporation. 
 
July 4th Fireworks 
 
On July 4th, residents and visitors can begin placing blankets down at Lakefront starting at 3:00 p.m. The fireworks will begin around 9:20 p.m. at Lake Kittamaqundi and will last approximately 20 minutes. In the event of rain, the fireworks display will be rescheduled for Wednesday, July 5th.  
 
Live musical performances will begin at 6pm. Columbia Association and the Columbia Festival of the Arts are proud to present two live music bands on the Lakefront stage: 

  • Holly Montgomery will perform from 6:00-7:15 p.m. 
  • Sugarray Rayford will perform from 7:30-9:00 p.m. 

“The Columbia Festival, along with the men and women from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local #19, are proud to present musicians Holly Montgomery and three-time Blues Music Award winner Sugaray Rayford at the July 4th celebration,” said Dave Simmons, Director of Programming for the Columbia Festival of the Arts.   
 
Food trucks will also be located at the Lakefront starting at 5:00 p.m. Participating food truck vendors include: 

  • Tasty Treats  
  • Pacha Mama 
  • Blowfish Poke 
  • Kona Ice 
  • Malik’s Ice Cream 
  • Althea’s Almost Famous 
  • Hardy’s BBQ 

Transportation, Parking, and Street Closures 
 
Free public parking will be available at several locations in Downtown Columbia: 

  • The Mall in Columbia 
  • One and Two Merriweather Garage located at 10970 Grantchester Way 
  • Symphony Woods Garage located at 6275 Mango Tree Rd. 
  • Sterrett Place North 

Due to the crowd size, street closures and construction, there is no parking available at the Lakefront. The Whole Foods parking lots will be closed at 6:00 p.m. and reopen at approximately 11:00 p.m. Parking on the Wincopin top deck or garage below will not be opened to the public.  
 
Howard County Police Department will be closing both directions of Little Patuxent Parkway between Symphony Woods Rd. and Governor Warfield Parkway beginning at 6:30 p.m. on July 4th. The road will reopen at approximately 11:00 p.m. Eastbound Little Patuxent Parkway between Broken Land Parkway and Symphony Woods Rd. will be closed from about 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Traffic delays can be expected. 
 
“July 4th is a perfect time to “park once” and enjoy all that Downtown Columbia has to offer and to experience just how close and connected our neighborhoods and amenities are,” said Phillip Dodge, Executive Director of Downtown Columbia Partnership. “Just like we suggest on concert nights, you should arrive early, park in our garages, and then enjoy the restaurants and other attractions nearby.” 
 
Free bicycle parking will be available for those who choose to travel to Downtown by bicycle. “Beat the traffic this 4th of July- ride your bicycle from all over Columbia to the Bike HoCo bike corral at the lakefront. Join us for free, protected bike parking at Wincopin Circle & Little Patuxent Parkway from 3 - 10 pm,” said Rebecca Bryant of Bike HoCo. 
 
Howard County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Gordan Wallace reminds that Fourth of July celebrations should be enjoyed safely.

Fireworks can be extremely dangerous. It’s easy to underestimate ‘novelty’ items like handheld sparklers, but these products can reach 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and cause serious injuries. The easiest way to stay safe is by leaving the fireworks to the professionals this 4th of July.

Gordan Wallace
Deputy Chief, Department of Fire and Rescue Services
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