Here are a few events taking place this weekend:
Ocean City:
• Uptown Concert and Fireworks:
At Northside Park on 125th Street, The Janitors kick off a free concert Saturday at 8 p.m. followed by a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. The National Anthem will lead the patriotic show.
“Northside Park is a spectacular place for families to watch the colorful displays light up the evening sky and lagoon,” Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan stated in a press release.
“We encourage spectators to get there early to claim their spot to watch the fireworks,” which visitors can catch from anywhere in the park.
Call 1-800-626-2326 or 410-250-0125 for more information.
• Downtown Concert and Fireworks:
A free concert on the beach at North Division Street in downtown Ocean City featuring The Reagan Years begins Saturday at 8 p.m. with a fireworks display following at 9:30 p.m.
Meehan called the July 4 celebration “a unique opportunity to watch fireworks sparkle over the ocean.’’
“Our exceptional venue on Caroline Street allows visitors to bring beach chairs or blankets and claim a spot on the sand for a special and patriotic display,” he said.
Call 1-800-626-2326 or 410-250-0125 for more information.
• Hot Dog-Eating Contest:
Come by Fish Tales Bar & Grill on 22nd Street, bayside, Saturday at 2 p.m. for the eighth annual Independence Day “Top Dog” hot dog-eating contest.
“Let’s see if we can get a local eater to bring the trophy back to Ocean City,” said Brandon Hemp, Fish Tales manager and contest coordinator.
A stage will be assembled in the restaurant’s parking lot for the 10-minute event, which is modeled after Nathan’s famous Fourth of July international contest. Bleachers will be set up in front of the stage for spectators.
The “Top Dog” will take home $1,000 and a trophy. Cash prizes will also be awarded for second and third place.
Last year’s winner, David Brunelli, of Philadelphia, Pa. ate 28 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Fish Tales and Coors Light are sponsoring the event. Dietz & Watson will supply the hot dogs and specials from Coors Light will be offered. Hot dogs will be on sale during the contest.
Call 410-289-0990 for more information or to participate in the hot-dog eating contest if spots are still open.
Ocean Pines:
• Freedom 5K:
Ocean Pines kicks off its Independence Day celebration on Saturday with the fourth annual Freedom 5K run.
The family-friendly timed race starts at 8 a.m. in the Veterans Memorial Park on Cathell Road where participants will go around the park, head into the woods and come back out onto the road.
At the finish line, flags from each of the military branches will be on display and organizers encourage runners to support the military by wearing red, white and blue.
Awards will be given for the most patriotically dressed female, male and child runners.
Registration costs $35 and begins at 7 a.m.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines.
Register online at OceanPines.org or call the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department at 410-641-7052.
• Celebration:
The fun in Ocean Pines continues at 10 a.m. with the Fourth of July celebration at Veterans Memorial Park.
The all-American celebration will include a deejay, face painting, water slides, carnival games and refreshments. Festivities take place until 2 p.m.
Wristbands for unlimited rides on the water slides costs $6 and tickets will be sold for additional rides and games including a dunking booth.
Swimming at the Sports Core Pool on Cathell Road is free for swim members. Adult, non-members pay $8 and children ages 5-17 are $6. Add $1 for nonresidents.
• Fireworks:
Ocean Pines festivities come to a close with a free fireworks display at Showell Park across from Showell Elementary School on Racetrack Road, Saturday night.
Visitors are encouraged to watch the display from Showell Elementary School, the Community Church of Ocean Pines, Most Blessed Sacrament School, St. John Neumann Church or the Pavilions for a good view. Free parking will also be available in these locations.
Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m., the event is open to the public and the Community Church at Ocean Pines will be selling refreshments and offering activities for children prior to the fireworks. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket.
The event will take place on Sunday, July 5 if there is inclement weather on Saturday.
Snow Hill:
• First Friday and Fireworks:
Fourth of July festivities take place Friday, July 3, in Snow Hill with the First Friday Gallery Walk, fireworks and family activities beginning at 5 p.m.
The event is hosted by Snow Hill’s Arts on the River and the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce.
Downtown businesses will be open until 8 p.m. for the gallery walk with Bishop’s Stock and The Corner Shoppe offering tastings. The Harvest Moon and the Blue Dog will have music.
Events at Sturgis Park on River Street also start at 5 p.m. with food, beverages, an appearance from Lollipop the Clown, a bounce house, raffles and other activities for the entire family to enjoy.
DJ Dale Smack will set the stage for a fireworks display along the Pocomoke River, which will begin around 9:15 p.m. Guests should bring a lawn chair or blanket to Sturgis Park.
The Julia A. Purnell Museum will sell neon glow sticks, necklaces and bracelets and the Snow Hill Rotary Club will sell barbecue chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers and beer to benefit its scholarship fund. Also, lemonade and soda will be available for purchase.
Parking will be available at public lots on Green and Washington Streets.
For more information, call 410-632-3555 or 410-632-0809.
The event will take place on Sunday if there is inclement weather on Friday.
• Ice Cream Social:
Pocomoke River State Park will celebrate America’s independence with an ice cream social on Saturday, July 4, at 2 p.m. at the camp store located at 3461 Worcester Highway.
The cost is $3 per person for a single serving of ice cream and there will be a bald eagle to greet guests. Rangers will be on hand to explain its bald eagle program and provide information on our nation’s bird.
Call 410-632-2566 for more information.