Area's Fourth of July celebrations

Anne Arundel

Annapolis: Celebrate an old-fashioned Fourth of July in Annapolis. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. today at Amos Garrett Boulevard and proceeds downtown. A concert by the U.S. Naval Academy Band follows at 8 p.m., concluding with a 9:15 p.m. fireworks display. The concert is at Susan Campbell Park, City Dock, 160 Duke of Gloucester St. Free. Go to hometownannapolis.com

Arundel Mills: Get all decked out in your best Uncle Sam gear for the Arundel Mills July 4th Parade. There will be prizes for best red-white-and-blue costume. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. Arundel Mills Mall is at 7000 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover. Free. Call 410-540-5100.

Baltimore City

Fort McHenry: Celebrate the Glorious Fourth! ... an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Weekend at Fort McHenry noon-4:30 p.m. today. There won't be any fireworks, but there will be a cannon firing, a musket salute, period dancing and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 3 p.m. Fort McHenry is at 2400 E. Fort Ave. Free. Call 410-962-4290.

Inner Harbor fireworks: The Inner Harbor's Cricket 4th of July Celebration includes a performance by Reverb, an a cappella group, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Electric Brigade, the U.S. Naval Academy band, starts at 8 p.m. and continues through the fireworks show. The fireworks, produced by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, begin at 9:30 p.m. The concerts take place at the Harborplace Amphitheater, at Light and Pratt streets. Free. Go to promotionandarts.org.

Constellation: The Constellation's Annual Deck Party takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event includes backyard barbecue items, cannon firings and giveaways. The Constellation is at 301 E. Pratt St. Tickets are $20-$65. Call 410-539-1797.

Aquarium: The National Aquarium in Baltimore hosts its own Pier Party today. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy live music with a prime spot for viewing the fireworks over the harbor. Grab some snacks on site or take a picnic basket. The aquarium is at 501 E. Pratt St. Tickets are $20 for members and $40 for nonmembers for adults, $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers for children. Advance reservations are required, and space is limited. Call 410-727-3474.

Science Center: Fourth of July in the Sky at the Maryland Science Center provides a premium open bar, gourmet dinner, party favors and a great view from 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. The Science Center is at 601 Light St. Tickets are $65. Go to lindypromo.com

Top of the World: Watch the fireworks from the best view in town with a Picnic at the Top at the 27th floor of the World Trade Center. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., there will be food and an open bar. The building is at 401 E. Pratt St. Tickets are $75 for adults, $30 for children. Call 410-837-8439 or go to viewbaltimore.org.

Dinner cruise: Get a seat with a spectacular view on the Inner Harbor Fireworks Dinner Cruise, which includes a buffet, DJ and more. The cruise boards at 7 p.m. and sails from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spirit Cruises is at 561 Light St. $99.90 per person. Call 866-312-2469.

BMI: Check out the harbor fireworks display from the Baltimore Museum of Industry. There will be museum tours and family-friendly activities from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The museum is at 1415 Key Highway. Tickets are $50 per car ($40 per member's car), $5 per person at gate. Go to www.thebmi.org.

Pet parade: Get your animals in on the patriotic fun when the American Visionary Art Museum holds its annual Visionary Pet Parade and Talent (Or Not) Show at 10 a.m. Awards will be given out for Best Costume, Most Patriotic and Most Visionary Pet, among others. Free. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. AVAM is at 800 Key Highway. Go to avam.org or cal 410-244-1900.

Baltimore County

Catonsville: Catonsville hosts a full day of events. Starting at 9:30 a.m., enjoy children's games and races followed by live music, a grand parade at 3 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., watch the Catonsville Hot Dog Eating Contest to see who earns the title of "Catonsville Biggest Wiener." Fireworks at Catonsville High School, 421 Bloomsbury Ave. Free. Call 410-744-9655 or go to catonsvillecelebrations.org.

Cockeysville: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra returns to Oregon Ridge Park for the Star-Spangled Spectacular. The orchestra's selections include Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" and Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever," choreographed to a fireworks display. Gates open at 5 p.m., concert starts at 8 p.m. at Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road. Tickets are $9-$18. Call 410-783-8000 or go to bsomusic.org.

Dundalk: The Dundalk Heritage Association holds its 73rd annual Independence Day Parade, including a variety of bands, floats and marching units, at 8:30 a.m. The parade is part of the Dundalk Heritage Fair, which runs through Sunday. The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. at the Government Center on Wise Avenue. The fair is at 2700 Playfield St. $5 admission. Call 410-284-4022 or go to dundalkheritagefair.com.

Essex: The Eastern Yacht Club hosts a Fireworks Extravaganza over Middle River. The club opens at 3 p.m., and the fireworks show starts at dusk. The Eastern Yacht Club is at 2330 Seneca Road. Call 410-335-7009 or go to mtabc.org.

Hereford: Wave your flags high for the Hereford Parade of Flags, which takes place at 6 p.m. Sunday, followed by fireworks at dusk. The parade runs from Hereford Pharmacy Shopping Center to Hereford High School. Hereford High School is at 17301 York Road in Parkton. Free. Go to herefordparade.org.

Towson: The Fourth of July Parade in Towson starts at 10:30 a.m. at Bosley Avenue and Towsontown Boulevard and includes clowns, bands, military units and floats. Fireworks are over Loch Raven Academy, 8101 LaSalle Road, at dusk. Free. Call 410-832-2190.

Carroll County

Westminster: The Carroll County Farm Museum is presenting an old-fashioned take on Fourth of July celebrations. Tour the farmhouse with costumed guides, listen to live entertainment or stop by the gift shop for souvenirs and crafts. The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. The museum is at 500 S. Center St. Tickets are $3-$5 if you arrive between noon and 5 p.m., and a $6 per car donation is requested after 5 p.m. Call 410-386-3880 or go to carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org.

Harford County

Bel Air: The Bel Air Independence Day celebration takes place at Shamrock Park. The flag-raising and the blueberry pancake and sausage breakfast take place at Bel Air Middle School. Other activities include a hamster race, a turtle derby, a frog-jumping contest and children's games. At 6 p.m., the parade will begin at the intersection of East Gordon Street and North Main Street and will continue down North Main Street. Free. Go to belairjuly4.org.

Havre de Grace carnival: The Independence Celebration and Carnival runs through Sunday. The parade takes place at 2 p.m. Sunday on Union Avenue. The concert is at 7 p.m. and fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. The carnival runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for individual rides. Other activities are free. Call 410-939-4362.

Havre de Grace cruise: Enjoy a two-hour boat ride aboard the Lantern Queen Riverboat that sails from Hutchins Memorial Park in Havre de Grace. Weekend celebrations include a Fourth of July Dinner Cruise from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Lantern Queen Mooring is at 100 Congress Ave. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children ages 3-10. Go to lanternqueen.com.

Howard County

Columbia: Catch live bands, children's entertainment and fireworks choreographed to patriotic music in Howard County 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The event takes place at the Columbia lakefront, 10221 Wincopin Circle. Free. Call 410-313-4452.