Celebrate July 4 in neighborly style

Happy Fourth, Hon.

If you’ve opted to stick close to home for the holiday weekend, you won’t lack for things to do. Here are a few ways to celebrate the season.

Parade
The 75th annual Dundalk Heritage Independence Day Parade takes place (when else?) on  Saturday, July 4, beginning 8:15 a.m. and proceeding through the streets of Dundalk.  The theme for this year’s parade is “75 Years of Community Spirit: A Celebration of Generations,” and floats will be decorated to reflect this theme. Info: 410-285-4550 or DundalkParade@comcast.net.

Heritage Fair
The Dundalk Heritage Fair, a tradition in East Baltimore County, takes place the weekend of July 3-5 in Heritage Park. Enjoy live entertainment (Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees is the headline act, but there’s plenty to choose from), food, games and more. The fireworks display takes place at dark, near Grange Elementary School. Rain date for the fireworks is July 5. Information on Heritage Fair activities, as well as the fireworks and other Dundalk holiday weekend events, is available at www.dundalkheritagefair.com.

Holiday at the Harbor
Baltimore’s Fourth of July Celebration, with entertainment throughout the day culminating with a fireworks spectacular, is held on Saturday, July 4. At 4:30 p.m., guests can enjoy music by Reverb, an a cappella group, followed by Electric Brigade, the Navy’s premier contemporary entertainment ensemble, at 8 p.m.  The fireworks are planned to start at 9:30 p.m.

Federal Hill, a friend’s roof deck or the waterfront are all good places to catch the pyrotechnic show. Note: The entertainment festivities will take place at West Shore Park, near the 500 block of Light Street.  Don’t miss not just the live entertainment but the opportunity to, yes, use a 13-foot cell phone. (Various activities will run between July 1 and July 5 at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater, so those who are planning to make a long weekend of it can get their fill).

Animal Instincts on the Fourth
The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway holds its traditional (or perhaps not so traditional) Visionary Pets On Parade on Saturday, July 4, beginning 10 a.m. B.Y.O. leashed or otherwise captive pet for what the AVAM  calls “the best dog-gone parade in town.” This will be followed by the Pet Talent (Or Not) Show, in which each entrant has the opportunity to take the stage and perform a real (or imagined) trick or talent. (“Or merely look good,” notes public relations contact Pete Hilsee.)

Following the talent portion (while an esteemed panel of judges deliberates its choices), pets and owners can be part of a game of Musical Chairs (no chairs will actually be used or harmed in this event). Pets can also loll in the wading pools provided by AVAM; sniff one another, and of course, says Hilsee, “taunt the one brave cat that always comes, or just revel in the well-deserved praise and affection poured upon them by the enthusiastic crowd. Nothing is more patriotic than oohing and aahing over a pair of chihuahuas in devil and angel get-ups.”

Trophies awarded for Best Costume, Most Patriotic, Owner & Pet Look-alikes, Least Likely to Succeed as a Pet, and more – including the Most Visionary Pet Award. All activities are free, and pets of all kinds (real and inanimate) are welcome. Owners are responsible for pets’ behavior and bodily functions (baggies, water and shade are provided). Pets must be leashed or carried. Info: 410-244-1900 or www.avam.org.

Races
Those who want to do more than sit around and fill up on burgers and cole slaw can run off some of those calories at two local fun runs.

African-American Festival 5K: The African American Heritage Festival 5K Run and 1.5 Mile Walk is held on July 4, beginning 8 a.m. (for the 5K) and 8:30 a.m. (for the fun walk) from Camden Yards Stadium. Free registration for walk ($3 processing fee), $20 registration fee for 5K at www.AAFH.net. Registration deadline is July 2. Info/registration: www.charmcityrun.com.

Dundalk Heritage Independence 6K: The Dundalk Heritage Independence 6K Run follows the parade route through historic Dundalk and finishes near the park. $20/person through July 3, $25/person on race day. Info/registration: www.charmcityrun.com, Kelly@charmcityrun.com, 410-308-1870.

Boat Lake Clean-Up: Those who feel like being productive on the fourth can take advantage of the Independence Day Boat Lake Clean-Up. On Saturday, July 4 at 8 a.m., the Boat Lake team meets to rid the area of trash and cattails. Coffee and July 4th donuts provided. Info/RSVP: volunteer@pattesonpark.com.