ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Columbia Association’s (CA) President/CEO Lakey Boyd today announced Howard County Recreation & Parks and CA will co-host the annual Independence Day Fireworks at the Lakefront at Columbia, beginning around 9:20 p.m. on July 4th. The free event will also feature live music beginning at 6:00 p.m. and food trucks onsite starting at 5:00 p.m. Photos of the event can be found here.
Our Lakefront fireworks are a time-honored tradition – where families, neighbors and friends can gather, enjoy a classic summer evening, and revel in the spectacular display of lights and color. Howard County was one of the few in this region to host fireworks last year, welcoming more than 60,000 people from around the state to enjoy our celebration - and we look forward to another successful evening. We’re so grateful for the partnership and collaboration of the Columbia Association, which always goes above and beyond to make sure our fireworks are fun, family-friendly, and create long-lasting memories.
"CA is committed to ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging at our Lakefront. We hope the entertainment produced by Columbia Festival of the Arts, diverse food options and all-around festivities on the 4th are a representation of that," CA President/CEO Lakey Boyd said. "CA is excited to co-host this year’s events with Howard County Recreation & Parks, just another example of how we can better serve the community through collaboration and partnership."
“We are happy to again provide our community with a stunning fireworks display while celebrating our nation’s independence,” said Howard County Recreation and Parks Director A. Raul Delerme. “The fireworks kick off events we have planned throughout the month of July to celebrate National Recreation and Parks month – a time we remind everyone that our parks and programs are a great way to get up, get out and get active.”
July 4th Fireworks
The 20-minute fireworks show will start around 9:20 p.m. at Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia. Residents who wish to place blankets may do so after 3:00 p.m.
There will be two live music bands on the Lakefront stage beginning at 6:00 p.m. with Bobby Thompson, followed by Vanessa Collier at 7:30 p.m.
The following food trucks will be onsite from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.:
- DMV Taqueria
- Dizzy Cow Pizza
- Blowfish Poke
- Pacha Mama’s Juice
- Kona Ice
- For the Soul Food Truck
Free public parking for this event will be located at the Mall in Columbia. Please note that the Little Patuxent Parkway may close around 7:00 p.m. due to expected high traffic volume from this event.
Bike HoCo is running a free bike corral for the event. A team of volunteers will watch parked bicycles so residents can enjoy the evening. The corral will open at 3:00 p.m. in the lower parking lot of Whole Foods and can hold more than 50 bikes.
Additional July 4th, 2022 Events
- Race4theWorld with Luminus, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Free Music Festival at the Chrysalis by the Inner Arbor Trust, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Featuring Here’s to the Night, O'Malley's March, American Military Spouses' Choir, and Peter Humphrey
"This Fourth of July, the Trust is thrilled to be a part of the Independence Day celebration throughout Downtown Columbia. The Trust will present a free music festival at the Chrysalis from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., only a short walk away from the Lakefront and fireworks,” said Inner Arbor Trust President & CEO Nina Basu. “As a child of immigrants who arrived in Columbia, drawn by both opportunities and the dream of this welcoming, inclusive community, I am honored to be part of this celebration of all Americans, and especially the new Americans celebrated by Luminus’ Race4theWorld. The Trust is delighted to continue to present free, inclusive performing arts events which celebrate our diverse community and fulfil the Rouse vision for Columbia."
“Many holidays could be said to celebrate the immigrants that make our country strong, but none could be as symbolic as July 4th. The immigrant story is the American story which is why our run this July 4 will honor the journey so many have made to get here and the sacrifices they’ve made to make our communities and country strong,” said Luminus Executive Director/CEO Mike Mitchell. “Our Race4TheWorld recognizes the global spirit of these New Americans and roads they have traveled to get here. July 4 recognizes the birth of a new nation and we recognize the birth of countless new Americans.”
“Howard Hughes is pleased to partner with Howard County, the Columbia Association, and the Columbia Festival of the Arts to gather for the 4th of July at the heart and soul of our community, the Columbia Lakefront,” said Howard Hughes-Columbia President Greg Fitchitt. “This joyous celebration of the ideals of America is one of our most cherished traditions here in Columbia, and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide our facilities in support of the upcoming events.”