Details and Parking Tips for Laurel's Fourth of July Celebrations

From the City of Laurel:

With the demolition of the Laurel Mall and the construction that will create the new Towne Centre Laurel, hardships and difficulty in parking for this year’s Independence Day Celebration events (Saturday, July 6) are anticipated. The Mayor wants to provide plenty of public notice to allow celebrants to plan their day accordingly. More importantly, Mayor Moe wants to assure celebrants that public safety is the number one issue for the day.

The day will kick off with the start of the Parade at 11 a.m. The Parade will begin at 6th and Montgomery Streets and proceed easterly to Fourth Street then onto Fourth Street where it will end at Cherry lane, as in past years. The Viewing Stand will be located just South of Ashford Boulevard, about a half block from its usual location. Since the Towne Centre will have fencing around its perimeter, the parking lot will not be available for parade participants to disperse. Emergency Operations Director, Marty Flemion, has worked on a plan with Public Works and the Laurel Police to block off a portion of the right turn lane on westbound Cherry Lane from Route 1 to Fourth Street to be used as a dispersing area for parade walking/marching units to get into their vehicles, and leave the area. Parade participants are encouraged to carpool this year to allow enough parking space for everyone needing to be picked up.

The Towne Centre Laurel construction will also impact parking for the day’s field events and the fireworks later that evening. The Laurel 4th of July Committee has created a new events schedule to include a Youth Music Showcase with Breasia a local entertainment company. There will also be a dance demonstration by Enkore Dance Group in front of the Burton Memorial Stage additionally, the Fourth of July Celebration Committee has partnered with the City of Laurel Parks and Recreation Department to bring back Family Fun Field games. These will be held on the Gude Park field from 12 noon to 3 p.m. The Committee will also hold their 2nd Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest at the Burton Memorial Stage following the family games.

The musical group, Oracle, will begin entertaining around 5 p.m. At that time is anticipated that spectators will begin to show up at the park and stake their spot for the fireworks. So parking will be at a premium this year with the Mall/Towne Centre parking lot closed off and not available. Mayor Moe recommends that you carpool with family and friends, allow enough time to locate available parking, and encourages patience on this day considering the complications that may be encountered. Mayor Moe also encourages consideration to the parking demands of those businesses that are open on July 6.