Celebrating Independence With Concerts and Fireworks

Friday, July 4, 2008

Unless noted, all events are on July 4.

District

NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE:11:45 a.m. on Constitution Avenue NW from Seventh to 17th streets.

A CAPITOL FOURTH : Actor Jimmy Smits hosts. Performers include Huey Lewis and the News, Taylor Hicks, Jerry Lee Lewis and the National Symphony Orchestra; Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," with cannon fire, 8 p.m. Fireworks, 9:10 p.m. Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, East Capitol and First streets; fireworks on the Washington Monument grounds, Independence Avenue and 15th Street NW. 202-619-7222.

WREATH-LAYING: Tomb of Elbridge Gerry, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and vice president, 10 a.m., Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE. Free. 202-543-0539.

WHITE HOUSE: Games and crafts. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-208-1631.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES: Performance by the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry (Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps; a reading of the Declaration of Independence, with actors portraying Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 10 a.m., Constitution Avenue NW, entrance near Seventh Street. 202-357-5000.

ORGAN RECITAL: Scott Dettra and Christopher Jacobson, 11 a.m., Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. 202-537-6200.

CATHEDRAL ART TOUR: July 6, 1:30 p.m. Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues NW. $5. 202-537-5628 or e-mail tours@cathedral.org.

PALISADES PARADE:11 a.m., starting at Whitehaven Parkway and MacArthur Boulevard NW. 202-363-7441.

NAVY FILMS AND MEMORIAL BELL-RINGING: USS Constitution, 11 a.m.; USS Nautilus, 1 p.m.; USS Hornet, 3 p.m.; 13 visitors strike a bell to honor the 13 original states. 2 p.m., Naval Heritage Center, U.S. Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202-737-2300.

Maryland

LAUREL CAR SHOW: Games and fireworks. Starts 11 a.m. Granville Gude Park, 8300 Mulberry St., Laurel. 301-725-5300, Ext. 44.

BOWIE FIREWORKS: Entertainment starts at 4 p.m. Allen Pond Park, 3330 Northview Dr. 301-809-3011.

GREENBELT CONCERT BAND:4 p.m., Buddy Attick Park, 555 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt. 301-397-2200.

COLLEGE PARK CONCERT AND FIREWORKS:7 p.m.; rain date, July 5. University of Maryland, Lot 1, next to Campus Drive, off Adelphi Road. 301-864-8877.

GERMANTOWN GLORY:7 p.m. Music by Bobby & the Believers. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. SoccerPlex, South Germantown Recreational Park, 18031 Central Park Cir. Rain date: July 5. 240-777-6820.

MID-COUNTY SPARKLES: Music by Superflydisco,7:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Rd., Kensington. Rain date, July 5. 240-777-8115.

GAITHERSBURG BIG BANG: Concerts through July 7 at the City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 S. Summit Ave. Schedule at http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov. On July 4, at Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St., music by Powerhouse at 7 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Rain date, July 5. 301-258-6350.

ROCKVILLE CONCERT BAND:7 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Montgomery College Rockville campus, 51 Mannakee St. 240-314-8620 or 240-314-5022; http://www.rockvillemd.gov/events.

TAKOMA PARK PARADE:10 a.m. Begins at Carroll and Ethan Allan avenues. Concert at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring. 301-270-6876 or 301-565-0190; http://www.takomapark4th.org.

CELEBRATE FREDERICK: Noon. Competitions and bands. Fireworks at dusk. Baker Park, 121 N. Bentz St., Frederick. 301-600-2841; http://www.celebratefrederick.com.

ANNAPOLIS PARADE:6:30 p.m. At West Gate Circle. At City Dock, music by Electric Brigade at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks. 410-263-7958; http://www.annapolis.gov.

LA PLATA:11 a.m.-1 p.m. Music by Solid Brass. La Plata Train Station, 101 Kent Ave., 301-934-8421.

INDIAN HEAD:3:30-10 p.m. Games, rides and music. Fireworks at 9:10 p.m. Village Green Park, 100 Walter Thomas Rd. 301-743-5511 or 301-753-6633.

RIVER CONCERT SERIES:7 p.m. Jazz vocalist Hilary Kole and the Chesapeake Orchestra. Fireworks at 9 p.m. St. Mary's College of Maryland, 18952 E. Fisher Rd., St. Mary's City. 240-895-2024.

SOLOMONS FIREWORKS: At dusk at Solomons Riverwalk. Rain date, July 5.

CHARLES COUNTY FIREWORKS:5-10 p.m., rides and activities. Fireworks at dusk. County Fairgrounds, Route 301, three miles south of La Plata. 301-643-0033.

Virginia

ORGAN MUSIC: Performances by Ellen Broetzmann and Douglas Beck, with a reading of the Declaration of Independence. 10-10:45 a.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St., Alexandria. 703-549-3312; http://www.stpaulsepis.com.

ARLINGTON BELL RINGING: Noon, Constitution Bicentennial Gardens, North George Mason Drive and Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. 703-527-6118.

AIR FORCE BAND CONCERT:8 p.m., Air Force Memorial, 1 Air Force Memorial Dr., Arlington. 202-767-5658. http://www.usafband.af.mil.

MOUNT VERNON : Military reenactments and a wreath-laying at Washington's tomb. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Alexandria. Tickets $6 to $13. Call 703-780-2000 for information; http://www.mountvernon.org.

FAIRFAX CITY PARADE:9 a.m.-noon, Main Street and University Drive. 703-385-7858.

VIENNA FESTIVAL: Rides, antique car show and crafts, 11 a.m.; laser light show, 9:15 p.m., Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE. 703-255-6360.

ONE-MAN PLAY: Adam Whitley in "Toward July 4." Noon and 2:30 p.m., Gunston Hall Plantation, 10709 Gunston Rd., Mason Neck. $8; seniors, $7; ages 6-18, $4; 5 and younger, free. 703-550-9220; http://www.gunstonhall.org.

FRANCONIA: Carousel and music, 5-6:30 p.m.; the Sock Monkeys perform, 7-9 p.m.; color guard, 9-9:15 p.m., followed by fireworks. Lee District Park, 6601 Telegraph Rd., Franconia area. Parking, $5. 703-324-7469 or 703-922-9841.

HERNDON: Races, games and bingo, 6:30-10:30 p.m.; fireworks, 9:30 p.m., Bready Park, adjacent to Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave. 703-787-7300.

FALLS CHURCH:7-10 p.m. Music by Kajun Kelley. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. 703-248-5178.

FAIRFAX CITY:7-10:30 p.m. A concert by the City of Fairfax Band. Fireworks at 9:10 p.m. Fairfax High School, 3500 Old Lee Hwy. 703-385-7949.

RESTON FIREWORKS:9:15 p.m. Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr. 703-471-5415.

DALE CITY PARADE: Plus activities, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Commuter Lot, Dale Blvd. 703-670-6907.

MANASSAS PARK:3 p.m. Games, rides and fireworks. Signal Hill Park, 9300 Signal View Dr.; 703-335-8872; http://www.visitpwc.com.

MANASSAS:4-10 p.m. Games, fireworks. Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St. 703-361-6599.

HILLSBORO:5 p.m. July 5: The Hewn from the Mountain band performs. Fireworks at the Old Stone School, 37098 Charlestown Pike. http://www.hillsborova.org.

IDA LEE PARADE:10 a.m. At Ida Lee Park, 50 Ida Lee Dr., Leesburg. Music at 7 p.m. at Ida Lee Park. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. 703-777-1368; http://www.idalee.org.

PURCELLVILLE PARADE: Noon. Starts at Emerick Elementary School, 440 S. Nursery Ave. Rides at Loudoun Valley High School, 340 N. Maple Ave., 1-6 p.m. 540-338-7421. http://www.prideofpurcellville.org. Fireworks at dusk at Franklin Park, Business Route 7, between Purcellville and Round Hill. $5 a car.

MIDDLEBURG FIREWORKS: Mid http:// dleburg Community Center, 300 W. Washington St. $3. Raffle and food from 11 a.m. Fireworks at dusk. Rain date, July 5. 540-687-6373.

ROUND HILL PARADE: Starts at 9:30 a.m. at Woodgrove Park. Music and crafts. 540-338-7878. http://www.roundhillva.org.

STERLING FESTIVAL: At Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Rd., 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Rides and a reptile show. $5 a carload. 571-258-3700.

GREAT MEADOW: Bluemont Concert Series at 5 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Great Meadow events center, 5089 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains. In advance, $20 a car; day of event, $40. 540-253-5001; http://www.greatmeadow.org.

WARRENTON PARADE:10 a.m. On Main Street. Lineup begins 9:30 a.m. on Main and Fifth streets. 540-349-8606.

-- Compiled by JILLIAN S. JARRETT