JULY 4 ACTIVITIES IN BEL AIR, MARYLAND
We Hope You Liked the 2021 Parade!
Our thanks to HARFORD CABLE NETWORK for shooting this video of the July 4, 2021 parade! For results of the parade, please visit our RESULTS page — and especially how you can apply to be a part of it.
Welcome to Bel Air's July 4th Celebration!
There's nothing like spending the day in Bel Air, Maryland, on Independence Day! From dawn to dark, we promise you will experience a clean, lively community and a progressive spirit. Professional and service organizations, churches, museums, historic landmarks and schools are concentrated in our town, which is also the county seat of Harford County.
We offer fun, family-friendly events all morning!
Daytime events include Horse-shoe Pitching, Watermelon Eating, and Uncle Sam Says, and it all begins with a patriotic FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY, complete with Bugler Robert Hudson playing "Call to the Colors," and the Star-Spangled Banner (our National Anthem).
For the complete schedule, see our SCHEDULE PAGE,
The current Miss Bel Air Independence Day, Chiamaka Ezeonyebuchi, who retains that title throughout 2021 and is (as we write this!) competing for the title of Miss Maryland, will be the official hostess of all events and the Grand Marshal of the parade. Her successor to the title will be chosen in early 2022.
Planning on Seeing the Parade? Great! Please plan ahead!
The Bel Air July 4 Parade is one of the largest in the state, and features floats, bands, marching units, car clubs, notables, Beauty Queens, Volunteer Fire Companies and much, much more. It's great fun, and takes place over a mile-long route: from Idlewild and S. Main to E. Gordon and N. Main.
HERE is a map of the 2021 Parade ROUTE
Our light-hearted, competitive events are all free and open to anyone, including Watermelon Eating, Horseshoe Pitching, Uncle Sam Says, and much more. See our schedule page for all the information and details, including maps and parking info!
ROAD CLOSURES in Bel Air on July 4, 2021
Staging and deploying a large parade, followed by a fireworks display, necessarily causes disruption of regular traffic flow through the Town of Bel Air and even in the surrounding area.
Parking is, frankly, challenging, in and around the parade on July 4. Some roads are closed. Many people are coming into town. So, plan ahead! The Hickory Street parking garage lower levels are all open and free, and only one half block from the parade route — that's a good place. Final word — leave early and plan ahead!
If you plan to drive through town on July 4, it may well be necessary to plan an ALTERNATE ROUTE. Here is a map showing road closures and suggesting alternate routes to take to avoid the downtown area.
Parade Staging Instructions for Parade Units
Use our link squares below, and our link topics above, to see what we have to offer, in celebration of our nation and our community. We look forward to seeing you in Bel Air on July 4! Please use our "July 4 Contact Form" to ask us a general question. Follow the links to apply to be in the parade!
Thanks to You, It Happens!
The Bel Air July 4th Celebration is managed by an independent, non-profit committee: the Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc., which must raise the money that it takes to bring the whole day together and celebrate our glorious holiday in fitting style.
Won't you help us? You can DONATE safely on line, using PayPal or any major credit card! Just select the button above! All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Thanks and we hope to see you on the 4th! For complete information, browse through our official 2021 program!
