A small-town tradition on July 4 almost came to an end.
It took at least six months of actively pursuing new locations for Bel Air?s Fourth of July fireworks before they found a new spot. The old spot where the display was launched for the past 43 years, Bel Air High School, is under construction, said Don Stewart, volunteer president for the Bel Air Independence Day Committee. This year?s new launch point is Rockfield Park, off Route 22, just outside Bel Air.
They are the last and most popular event in a day full of odd animal races and fun food-eating contests.
“It?s a fun day, and I grew up in Bel Air, I can remember it from a little kid,” said Town Administrator Christopher Schlehr. “It all culminates with the fireworks.”
Stewart thought he had two other locations to set off the fireworks, but they both fell through.
He says 60,000 people usually come to town for the fireworks, although they will not be permitted at the park to watch, because there is not enough room.
About 35,000 watch the parade, which begins at a new point at the intersection of Bond and Gordon streets and moves onto Main Street at Lee Street. This year?s theme is “Inventors and their Inventions.”
“Dozens of families tell me they?ve done it for all years, and their kids live out of town, and they come back for this event,” Stewart said of the fireworks.
Fireworks are so dear to people, Mayor Terence Hanley said with a laugh, “If I don?t get these fireworks launched, I?m going to get launched out of office.”
Most usually watch thedisplay from surrounding neighborhoods, and he said he expected no difference this year.
“Everyone?s going to have to figure it out, because it?s all new,” he said.
The day, which costs about $60,000 and also “stretches” the town?s police and public works services, will have no live music after the parade or food vendors, Stewart said. It kicks off at its former location at Bel Air High with the traditional blueberry pancake and sausage breakfast at 7 a.m.
Independence Day Celebration
Bel Air High School
6:45 a.m. flag raising ceremony
7 a.m. blueberry pancake and sausage breakfast
$5 for adults; $3 for children younger than 10
Rockfield Park
8 a.m. horshoe pitch contest registration
9:30 p.m. fireworks display from Rockfield Park
Shamrock Park
8:45 a.m. hamster race registration
9 a.m. turtle race registration
10 a.m. frog jump registration
11 a.m. Uncle Sam Says (similar to Simon Says)
11 a.m. bicycle rodeo at Pennsylvania Avenue parking lot
11:30 a.m. watermelon eating contest at Shamrock Park
Hays House events
9 a.m. tours and children?s games
9:30 a.m. patriotic concert
10 a.m. patriotic costume contest
Parade
6 p.m. starting at Gordon and Bond streets
