The Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department is gearing up to host a Fourth of July festival and fireworks celebration on July 4 at Veterans Memorial Park.
Attendees of a past Ocean Pines July 4 celebration at Veterans Memorial Park are pictured.
File photo
The Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department will once again host a Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Veterans Memorial Park on Route 589 and Cathell Road.
The event this year is scheduled from 4 to 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, with carnival games, dry slides and bounce houses for children, plus live music and food and drink vendors, face painting, jewelry and hair wrap and sand art.
Wristbands are $15 and are good for all slides and bounce houses, games, etc. Wristbands will be required for those attractions only. Cash and credit cards will be accepted for wristbands, and for glow-in-the-dark and light up products sold at the recreation area.
General admission is free and open to the public, for both the carnival and fireworks.
Fireworks are scheduled to start at roughly 9:15 p.m.
The fireworks will launch from the north side of the pond, by Cathell Road. Viewing will be available at Veterans Memorial Park.
There will be limited seating (chairs and blankets), along Ocean Parkway, from the South Fire Station to Manklin Creek Road. This area will be controlled by public works crews and will not be available for vehicles.
Guests may bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating at Veterans Memorial Park and the Parkway in the designated viewing area.
Police will close Ocean Parkway from Manklin Creek Road to Offshore Lane about 60 minutes before the fireworks begin. That area will remain closed until all fireworks have been launched and the Fire Marshal deems it safe.
There will also be a “safe zone” marked by an orange fence, from Offshore Lane to the firehouse. No one may enter the marked area once the fireworks have started. This area will be monitored and controlled by fire, police and public works. Pedestrian traffic will be allowed until one hour prior to the launch time. No vehicles will be allowed through the area during that time.
Public parking will be available in the Green Lot across from the Post Office. Parking will not be allowed along Ocean Parkway. Limited handicapped parking will be available at the library parking lot. A handicap-accessible shuttle will be available between the library and the event area.
Additionally, police will close the south end of Cathell Road from Ocean Parkway to the entrance of the Sports Core Pool at around noon, when the fireworks vendor is scheduled to arrive. The area will remain closed until the fireworks equipment is loaded, the area is cleared of debris, and the fire marshal deems it safe and clear for traffic.
Cathell Road will remain open from the Sports Core Pool to Route 589 for the entire day, for pool access and access to Veterans Memorial Park.
Public Works personnel will help with road closures and directing traffic throughout the day. Please note that the road closures are for public safety and are required by the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Members of the police department, fire department, public works and neighborhood watch will be directing traffic, and helping with parking and crossover traffic from the Green Lot. Pedestrian traffic is encouraged, to help with traffic delays.
At the conclusion of the fireworks, pedestrians will have preference over motorists. Residents and guests should expect delays throughout the day.
In case of inclement weather, the fireworks display will move to Friday, July 5.