March 19, 2024
Annapolis, US 35 F

Annapolis Fourth Of July Info

The following details were just released by Annapolis City Hall regarding Sunday’s fireworks display.

EVENTS SCHEDULE

Independence Day Parade: 6:30 p.m. SHARP. The parade will proceed into Downtown, beginning on Amos Garrett Boulevard and then right on West Street, around Church Circle, down Main Street, left on Randall Street and disbanding near the Market House.  Strict security measures are in place for parade participants. Contact Recreation and Parks Office (410-263-7958) or Special Events Office (410-263-7996) about parade participation.

Band Concert: 8 p.m. The U.S. Naval Academy Band will perform at Susan C. Campbell Park at City Dock.

Fireworks: about 9:15 p.m. The display will be launched from a barge in the Annapolis Harbor.  Boat restrictions are in place. Contact the Harbormaster’s office (410-263-7973) for more details.

VIEWING AREAS

Parade: Anywhere along the parade route will provide a good view of the parade, particularly along inner West Street and Church Circle and all along Main Street, and the Market Space. Spectators are urged to respect crowd control zones established by the Police Department.

Fireworks: Generally, the best viewing areas from City Dock will be at Susan Campbell Park.  Views from Main Street and the Harbormaster’s office area will be partially obstructed. Other suggested areas include public spaces northeast of the Severn River, any of the street-end parks facing Spa Creek and aboard a boat in the city harbor. The Spa Creek Bridge will be closed to traffic beginning at 9 p.m. to create a spectator pier with an unobstructed view of the fireworks.

The Naval Academy will not be a public viewing site for the fireworks. Normal visitor access to the academy will apply (sunrise to sunset) with the following modifications: No access to athletic fields will be permitted. Beginning at 5 p.m., Gate #1 will be closed to all vehicles. No other USNA gates will be open to the public (vehicular or pedestrian) for fireworks viewing.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT SECURITY: Due to heightened security awareness, visitors aged 16 years and older must show valid photo identification (i.e. driver’s license) to gain entrance to the Naval Academy. NO alcoholic beverages or fireworks (including sparklers) will be permitted. Pets will also be prohibited from entering the Naval Academy grounds.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION

Special parking and transportation arrangements as well as parking and traffic restrictions will be in place to expedite the movement of an expected crowd of as many as 50,000 people.

Available parking and free shuttle: Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium off Rowe Boulevard is available to visitors beginning at 3 p.m. A City of Annapolis shuttle ferry visitors between the stadium to Downtown (Lawyer’s Mall); this shuttle will operate from 4 p.m. to midnight. Drivers should enter the stadium at Gate 5 and follow directional signs. There is a $5 charge for parking at the stadium; the shuttle to downtown is free.

Shuttle service after fireworks: Buses will operate on a circular route from Lawyer’s Mall (College Avenue in front of the State House) to the Naval Academy stadium until all who wish for transportation have been accommodated.

Road closures:

To accommodate the parade, Amos Garrett Boulevard and Constitution Avenue will be closed at 4:30 p.m. At approximately 6:30 p.m., West Street beginning at Amos Garrett to Church Circle, Church
Circle and Main Street will be closed until the parade has been completed at about 7:30 p.m.

Parking restrictions: Beginning at 4 p.m. and extending until about 10:30 p.m., parking will be prohibited and violators may be towed from the following areas:

City Dock
Main Street
Randall Street
Market Space
Cathedral Street between West and Franklin streets
Both sides of Severn Avenue between First and Burnside streets
East side of First, Second and Third streets between Severn and Chester avenues
South and Burnside Street
Bay Ridge Avenue between Sixth and Burnside streets.
Bembe Beach Road from Awald to end.

No Parking zones are posted to accommodate emergency vehicle access during a time when the area is heavily congested because of the large crowds and to facilitate safe, timely egress for spectators from the Eastport Peninsula after the event.  Violators will be towed.

In addition, vehicular traffic into the north side of the Eastport Peninsula will be restricted between 5:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; pedestrian traffic will be permitted.  The Spa Creek Bridge will be
closed to traffic beginning at 9 p.m.

Vehicular traffic will be denied access to the Downtown area beginning at 5 p.m. until approximately 10:30 p.m. Roadblocks will be set up at Sixth Street and Severn Avenue to deny access to the Downtown area via the Spa Creek Bridge. Roadblocks will be set up at the following Downtown locations:

King George Street and College Avenue
Prince George Street and College Avenue
North Street and College Avenue
Church Circle and Main Street
Duke of Gloucester Street and Conduit Street
Duke of Gloucester Street and Green Street
Duke of Gloucester Street and St. Mary’s Street
Duke of Gloucester Street and Compromise Street
All other streets within the boundaries of the Naval Academy as well as
College Avenue, Duke of Gloucester Street and Compromise Street will be closed to all but nearby residents

Traffic will be allowed to flow down Duke of Gloucester Street from Church Circle and into Eastport until 9 p.m. when Duke of Gloucester Street will be closed to ensure pedestrian safety and to facilitate the movement of the foot traffic leaving the area after the fireworks display.

Duke of Gloucester Street and Main Street will be closed at approximately 9 p.m. and remain closed until approximately 10 p.m. Feeder streets to Duke of Gloucester (Charles, Conduit and Market
streets) will also be closed at Duke of Gloucester. Conduit Street will be closed between Main Street and Duke of Gloucester.

BOATERS

Closures and restrictions: The draw span of the Spa Creek Bridge will be closed to boat traffic from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Because of the anticipated crowded conditions, boaters are urged to select their preferred viewing-area anchorage early and are also warned to avoid the 1,000 foot SAFETY ZONE around the fireworks barge.  Please note: Immediately after the fireworks, the barge will be underway to clear the harbor.  All boaters are urged to heed the instructions of safety and law enforcement officials including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Natural Resources Police, the Annapolis Police, the Annapolis Fire Department, the Annapolis Harbormaster and others.

SAFETY

Use of fireworks: The use of fireworks (including sparklers) is prohibited on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy.  During the 4th of July events, citizens are asked to refrain from using any fireworks in the downtown area.  Also, the firing of pyrotechnics and flares from spectator boats and land areas is not only illegal; it presents a high-risk safety hazard.

Alcohol: The consumption of alcoholic beverages on the streets and sidewalks of the City is prohibited; further, no alcoholic beverages are allowed on the grounds of the Naval Academy.

For up-to-date event/parking information: Tune into 1620 AM and/or WNAV 1430 AM.

Donations still appreciated: Private individuals and businesses wishing to help defray the costs of this community event are urged to do so by sending their tax deductible donation to: July 4th Annapolis Inc., c/o First Citizens Bank, 890 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

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