By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(June 28, 2019) From patriotic music to fireworks, games, a 5K run and a Declaration of Independence reading, Ocean City and surrounding communities offer many celebrations for Independence Day.

Here are some activities planned throughout Worcester County:

Ocean City:

• Uptown Fireworks:

At Northside Park on 125th Street, a DJ will play patriotic songs on Thursday, July 4, beginning at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The National Anthem will lead the patriotic show.

“Fireworks seats have been and always will be an amazing visual spectacle,” Special Events Coordinator Frank Miller said. “Ocean City offers Northside Park’s fields of grass and quiet family atmosphere.”

The fireworks display can be seen anywhere in the park and organizers advise spectators arrive early. The show will be about 18 minutes long.

There is no cost to attend the event.

Attendees are encouraged to bring beach chairs and blankets. Call 1-800-626-2326, 410-250-0125 or visit www.ococean.com for more information.

• Downtown Fireworks:

A free display of fireworks will take place on the beach at North Division Street in downtown Ocean City featuring music by a local DJ on Thursday, July 4, beginnings at 8 p.m. Fireworks will kick off around 9:30 p.m.

“[Downtown] offers an explosion of color painting the ocean to the east,” Miller said. “We start the DJ music early to get the ambiance and get you in the mood.”

Visitors are encouraged to bring beach chairs or blankets to claim a spot on the sand for the patriotic display. The show will run about 18 minutes.

Call 1-800-626-2326, 410-250-0125 or visit www.ococean.com for more information.

• Declaration of Independence Reading:

The American Legion and the Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution will hold its second annual reading of the Declaration of Independence at the American Legion Synepuxent Post #166 on 24th Street on Thursday, July 4, at 1 p.m.

Sarge Garlitz of Captain Smoot’s Chapter SAR and the Commander of the South Eastern Shore District American Legion, Chaplain Ben Dawson of Synepuxent Post #166 American Legion and President Mark Tyler of the Captain John Smoot Chapter of the SAR will read the Declaration of Independence.

The event is open to the public and free to attend.

“More people have started becoming more patriotic recently,” Garlitz said. “Last year, we had 40-50 people join us. I think we’ll have a nice crowd this year.”

Ken and Caroline Farley of Fife and Fife will provide the music during the event.

For more information, visit www.alpost166.org or call 410-289-3166.

Ocean Pines:

• Freedom 5K:

Ocean Pines kicks off its Independence Day celebration on Thursday with its annual Freedom 5K run and walk.

Families are encouraged to participate in the timed race, which starts at 8 a.m. and heads around the Veterans Memorial Park, across Ocean Parkway and through the Ocean Pines community where runners will pass the South Gate Pond to the finish line near the memorial.

“It’s a fun run to support Achilles [International-Maryland] and it’s a good, fun patriotic type of race that we’ve done for eight years now,” Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Program Supervisor Debbie Donahue said. “It’s a great way to start off your Fourth of July.”

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Achilles International-Maryland, a nonprofit charity that enables people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics in order to promote personal achievement, enhance self-esteem, and lower barriers to living a fulfilling life.

Last year, around 300 people participated in the run, Donahue said.

Attendees are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to support the military. An award will be presented for best costume. Trophies will be awarded to the top-three race finishers.

At the finish line, flags from each of the military branches will be on display in Veterans Memorial Park, and the first 200 registered runners are guaranteed event T-shirts.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. The cost is $25 in advance or $35 the day of the event. Register online at OceanPines.org or call the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department at 410-641-7052.

• Celebration and Fireworks:

The fun in Ocean Pines continues at 4 p.m. with the Fourth of July celebration at Veterans Memorial Park on Cathell Road.

The All-American celebration will include music, dry slides, bouncy houses, carnival games and concessions provided by food vendors.

“We will play patriotic music during the fireworks … It’s a big event this year,” Donahue said.

Wristbands for unlimited turns in the bounce houses cost $6 and tickets will be sold for additional rides and games.

“There will be games that the DJ and my staff put on after we close the dry slides around 8:30-8:45 p.m.,” Donahue added.

Ocean Pines festivities come to a close with a free firework display at Veterans Memorial Park.

“This year the fireworks will be at South Gate pond, so it’s one big event now versus being an event, then a break and then the fireworks at 9,” Donahue said. “We’re going to do it all in one event.”

Fireworks will begin shortly after dark. The event is open to the public and the Community Church at Ocean Pines will be selling refreshments.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. The event will take place on Friday, July 5 if there is inclement weather.

For more information, call the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department at 410-641-7052 or visit OceanPines.org.

Berlin:

• Old Fashioned Celebration:

The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum will host an “Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration on Wednesday, July 3, from 6-8 p.m.

There will be a picnic on the lawn, mock signing of the Declaration of Independence and children’s games including corn hole, ring toss and a scavenger hunt. Musician Mickey Justice will perform.

“You can sign the Declaration of Independence; we have a big copy of it and people can read it and sign their name on the paper that we will hang on the wall,” Jan Quick, a volunteer at the Taylor House Museum Board, said. “This [event] helps our children learn about the Declaration of Independence. It’s very important, and we ask them if they know why they’re celebrating Fourth of July so we can keep our history alive.”

Street Kitchen food truck will be on hand. The museum will also be selling freshly-made slushies throughout the event. Patriotic items such as pinwheels and small flags will also be available for purchase.

For more information, call 410-641-1019 or visit https://taylorhousemuseum.org.

• Fireworks:

A large fireworks display will wrap up the July 3 festivities at Berlin Falls Park, on Old Ocean City Blvd., at dusk.

“It’s your typical small-town community family fun event,” Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said. “I think there’s no better way to celebrate your community than to actually be a part of it and to come out and have a good time.”

Last year, around 1,000 people came to the park, Wells said.

Guests should bring blankets to sit on or chairs.

“So many people spend so much time inside that any opportunity you can get to be outside you should take,” Wells said. “When you’re surrounded by music and slushies, it’s beautiful.”

For more information, visit the town of Berlin website at https://berlinmd.gov/.

Snow Hill

• Fireworks:

The Snow Hill Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Snow Hill will hold their annual Independence Day celebration this Saturday, June 29, with a firework display over the Pocomoke River in Sturgis Memorial Park.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with ice cream, drinks and food provided by the Snow Hill Rotary Club available before the fireworks start around 9:15 p.m.

There will be bounce houses and face painting for children. A DJ will provide the music.

Guests should bring a chair or blanket to Sturgis Park. Parking will be available at public lots on Green and Washington streets.

For more information, call 410-632-0809.

Pocomoke

• Fourth Friday Street Festival:

The Fourth Friday Street Festival continues in downtown Pocomoke on Friday, June 28, from 5-8 p.m.

This block party-styled event will take place within the two blocks of Market Street between Front Street and Second Street.

Local artists, craftsmen and vendors will fill the sidewalks of Market Street to sell their work, including paintings, photography, jewelry, bath and body products, home decor and fashion. Local businesses are encouraged to stay open until 8 p.m.

This month’s Fourth Friday theme is “Sports Night.” There will be various sports and activities available for  children to participate in as well as pickleball for the adults. A special karate demonstration will be performed by Pocomoke Karate and Judo.

DJ Kay will be onsite playing a variety of music. This event is sponsored by the Downtown Pocomoke Association and guest sponsor of the month, XO Beanery and Bites.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase, including beer and wine.

In the event of rain, Fourth Friday will be canceled and will resume the following month.

For more information, visit downtownpocomoke.com or “4th Friday” and “City of Pocomoke” Facebook pages.