ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced and expanded the July 4th celebration hosted at Lake Kittamaqundi to include live entertainment, music, and food trucks, as Howard County leads the state among vaccination efforts. Last month, Ball announced Howard County would host its annual fireworks for the community. Photos of the event can be found here.
With more than 70% of our 12+ population fully vaccinated, we’re getting closer to normal every day. We did not get here by chance – and we’re grateful to all of our residents who have taken the important step of getting vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones. These important vaccine milestones allow us to host summer celebrations and events safely, and we can’t wait to see our community together once again.
To date in Howard County there have been 19,430 cases of COVID-19, the 7-day average positivity rate is 0.71% and the 7-day average case rate 1.4 is per 100,000 residents – the lowest metrics since the County began tracking COVID-19 data.
July 4th Festivities
The 20-minute fireworks show will start around 9:20 p.m. at Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia. Residents who wish to place blankets may do so after 3:00 p.m.
Food Trucks will be onsite including Kona Ice, Blowfish Poke (Sushi), Dee's Food and Snack Shack (Cajun and Caribbean cuisine), Althea's Almost Famous (Jamaican), Bullhead Pitt Beef, Green's Kettle Corn, Ravin' and Cravin' Food Truck (Hibachi), Flair Cuisine (American cuisine), and more.
Live entertainment includes local bands Pebble to Pearl, Groovalicious, and the National Anthem by a local high school student.
The Inner Arbor Trust and the Columbia Association are also providing a premium location for viewing the concert and fireworks that includes a dinner buffet and cash bar. Ticket sales help raise funds for free arts programming in Downtown Columbia at the Chrysalis and Lakefront.
Unvaccinated attendees should continue to:
· Wear your mask;
· Maintain physical distancing;
· Wash your hands and avoid touching your mask eyes, nose, and mouth; and
· Strongly consider getting yourself, and those living in your household fully vaccinated.
For additional information and questions, please visit: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/july-4th-fireworks
Vaccination Milestones
Howard County continues to lead the state in vaccinating its residents with 73.3% of residents 12+ fully vaccinated and 80.7% of residents 12+ with at least one dose. Overall, the county has fully vaccinated 62.1% of all residents, with 64.4% of all residents receiving at least one dose.
The Mall in Columbia mass vaccination site continues to operate Wednesday – Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-ups are accepted. To schedule an appointment or learn more, please visit covidvax.maryland.gov.
“It has been exciting to see Howard County reopen and begin to return to normal as more of our population becomes fully vaccinated,” said Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer. “I want to encourage everyone who has not yet had the opportunity to be vaccinated to make a plan to get their first shot as soon as possible. Vaccination opportunities are available in the community seven days a week at pharmacies, public health clinics, medical offices, and pop-up clinics across the County to make this process as simple and convenient as possible.”
“Our Recreation & Parks team is looking forward to producing a thrilling 20-minute fireworks show beginning around 9:20 p.m.,” said Howard County Recreation & Parks Director A. Raul Delerme. "After a challenging year, we’re excited to bring back this event with the Columbia Association and Inner Arbor Trust and continue our tradition of bringing people together in a patriotic celebration."
"CA is so proud to be part of this collaboration with Howard County and Inner Arbor Trust,” said Lakey Boyd, Columbia Association President & CEO. “We are pleased to contribute to this event and love nothing more than seeing our open space utilized to its fullest potential. I'm thankful to our team members who will play an instrumental role in making this 4th of July a truly memorable one. A celebration of this size and significance does not happen without teamwork. We look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with our partners in the future and hope to see everyone down by the Lakefront this summer."
“The Inner Arbor Trust is thrilled to partner with Howard County Recreation and Parks and CA to produce this 4th of July celebration,” said Nina Basu, Inner Arbor Trust President & CEO. “After a year kept apart, we are thrilled to bring art and joy to this community - and we are excited to also raise funds for our free community performance series at the Chrysalis, beginning in July."