Kira Bork, 2, gets a bird's-eye view of the Longfellow community July 4 parade atop the shoulders of her father, David, of Harper's Choice. (Photo by Don Watkins).
Ohhhh, say can you see
Fireworks, parades and patriotism unfurled on the Fourth
Posted 7/07/08
Fireworks, parades and activities galore helped Howard Countians ring in our nation’s 232nd Independence Day July 4.
In downtown Columbia, an estimated 30,000 people attended Fourth activities, according to Ella Carter, of the Howard County Recreation and Parks department.
Celebrations began at 5 p.m. and lasted until about 10 p.m. and featured various bands and children’s entertainer John “Kinderman” Taylor, strolling balloonist Brad Higbee, tabletop games and of course, fireworks over Lake Kittamaqundi.
“It was really crowded,” Sykesville resident Nick Koutrelakos said, adding that he thought there should have been more space for the various festivities.
The Columbia event was sponsored by Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks for the first time. It took over the celebration from the Kiwanis Club of Columbia, which had sponsored the event in years past.
The fireworks display began around 9:30 p.m. and lasted about 20 minutes, Carter said.
“The fireworks were fantastic,” Sally Dinsmore, of Ellicott City, said.
Earlier in the day, the River Hill, Allview Estates and Longfellow communities each held their annual parades.
In River Hill, village manager Susan Smith said about 3,500 attended this year and that the parade had 46 entries, more than any previous year.
Smith added that overcast skies and wet conditions didn’t dampen spirits.
“The sun came out and we made it through the parade without any rain,” she said.
— Medina Roshan
In downtown Columbia, an estimated 30,000 people attended Fourth activities, according to Ella Carter, of the Howard County Recreation and Parks department.
Celebrations began at 5 p.m. and lasted until about 10 p.m. and featured various bands and children’s entertainer John “Kinderman” Taylor, strolling balloonist Brad Higbee, tabletop games and of course, fireworks over Lake Kittamaqundi.
“It was really crowded,” Sykesville resident Nick Koutrelakos said, adding that he thought there should have been more space for the various festivities.
The Columbia event was sponsored by Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks for the first time. It took over the celebration from the Kiwanis Club of Columbia, which had sponsored the event in years past.
The fireworks display began around 9:30 p.m. and lasted about 20 minutes, Carter said.
“The fireworks were fantastic,” Sally Dinsmore, of Ellicott City, said.
Earlier in the day, the River Hill, Allview Estates and Longfellow communities each held their annual parades.
In River Hill, village manager Susan Smith said about 3,500 attended this year and that the parade had 46 entries, more than any previous year.
Smith added that overcast skies and wet conditions didn’t dampen spirits.
“The sun came out and we made it through the parade without any rain,” she said.
— Medina Roshan
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