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Make this July Fourth an occasion to spend time with family without spending a lot of cash.

Free fireworks and Independence Day celebrations are taking place across the county with a variety of entertainment. Games and children's concerts are planned for the kids and music for the adults.

Organizers are hoping for better weather after rain dampened the fun last year.

"We're hoping for a better turn-out, hopefully the weather will cooperate. Mother Nature has to be on our side at least once," said Trish Gill, special events coordinator for the Montgomery County Department of Recreation.

Kensington ‘Sparkles'

on the Fourth

The Mid-County Sparkles Fourth of July celebration will be held Saturday at Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Road.

A walk-around magician and a concert by Superfly Disco will entertain at 7:30 p.m.  Wheaton Fire and Rescue will grill hamburgers and hotdogs, available for purchase. The Einstein High School Booster Club will sell drinks.

Fireworks are expected to begin at 9:15 p.m. Viewing is best at Einstein's football stadium and around Newport Mill Middle School. Only handicapped parking is available at the site. People are encouraged to use Ride-On shuttle buses from Westfield Wheaton and the Wheaton Metro Station to get to and from Einstein.

Takoma Park Celebrates

120 Years

This year's Annual Takoma Park Independence Parade and Celebration, now in its 120th year, is entitled "The Belle of Takoma Park," in remembrance of longtime resident and organizer of the parade for the last 40 years, Belle Ziegler. Ziegler died Dec. 14, 2008, at age 88.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Carroll and Ethan Allen avenues. The parade ends at Maple and Ritchie avenues.

At 7 p.m., a welcome will be held by Mayor Bruce Williams at Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Road. Concerts by Violet Says 5, Positive Vibrations and the Takoma Park Community Band will follow. Parade and raffle prize winners will be announced. Fireworks are expected to start at 9:30 p.m.

Vendors will have food for purchase during the parade and fireworks, including hot dogs, funnel cakes and ice cream.

Parking is at the community center at 7500 Maple Ave. Rain date will be the next fair-weathered day.

Gaithersburg's ‘Big Bang Weekend'

The city of Gaithersburg‘s celebration, sponsored in part by 97.1 WASH FM, is a five-day event packed with family fun.

The celebration kicks off Thursday with a 10:30 a.m. children's concert by dancer and storyteller Arianna Ross at the City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 S. Summit Ave., followed by a screening of the movie "Madagascar" at dusk in Robertson Park, 801 Rabbitt Road. Donations of nonperishable food will be accepted.

Friday features a free concert by the National Institutes of Health Community Orchestra at the City Hall Concert Pavilion.

Fireworks are at 9:25 p.m. Saturday at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St. Gates open at 5 p.m., followed by a concert featuring Free Spirit at 7 p.m. and ceremony at 8 p.m.

Radio station 97.1 WASH FM, which has provided family-friendly games and music prior to the fireworks in previous years, will be handing out fans this year due to lack of resources and staff, Crosby said.

No cars are allowed on the fairgrounds and the Perry Parkway entrance, as well as Perry Parkway itself, will be closed.

Two more free events are scheduled at the Concert Pavilion: a 5 p.m. Sunday concert by English Channel, and a 10:30 a.m. Monday children's concert by Alden Phelps.

Although the budget for this year's celebration took a slight hit, according to Caroline Crosby, program coordinator for special events at the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture, no cuts were made to the fireworks. Spending on the weekend's concerts, free giveaways and security was reduced.

Keeping the tradition in Poolesville

The fourth annual Traditional Fourth of July Celebration in Poolesville will take place at 6 p.m. Friday at the soccer fields on Hughes Road.

A concert by the Jim Bowie Band is planned, and the Poolesville High School spirit bands and a climbing wall will provide more fun.

Fireworks are expected to start at 9 p.m. The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department will have barbeque sandwiches, pizza, funnel cakes, kettle corn and beverages for purchase, said coordinator Jeffrey Eck, volunteer firefighter.

People are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets and chairs. 3-D glasses to view the fireworks will be available for purchase to benefit the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department and the sale of glow-in-the-dark rings will benefit Poolesville High School. Coolers and pets are not permitted.

Parking is $5 per vehicle. The rain date is Sunday at 6 p.m.

Party in the Village

The theme of this year's Montgomery Village Fourth of July celebration is "Going Green for the Red, White and Blue" as the Village community encourages recycling and the use of renewable energy, said Ed Kallas, program manager for the Montgomery Village Foundation's Department of Recreation, Parks and Culture.

The event kicks off at 7 a.m. Friday with a 5K/1-mile fun-walk at Lake Marion, near the Lake Marion Community Center, 8821 E. Village Ave. 

At 10 a.m., a community parade will begin at the corner of Apple Ridge Road and Montgomery Village Avenue. The Montgomery Village Foundation Board of Directors, swim teams, police mounted division and Gaithersburg/Washington Grove Fire Department are expected to participate.

Children participating in the parade are encouraged to dress up to play off the theme.

The festivities will continue at the Apple Ridge Recreation Pool Area, 10101 Apple Ridge Road,  until 2 p.m. Activities include inflatable amusements, carnival style games, bingo and the Montgomery Village Community band. Children will be able to make patriotic crafts and food will be available for purchase.

There is limited parking in the Montgomery Village Foundation Administration, auxiliary lot, Kehilat Shalom and on Apple Ridge Road after 11 a.m. but additional parking will be available at Watkins Mill High School. Events are rain or shine unless weather is severe.

Rockville Celebrates Independence Day

Rockville will celebrate the Fourth of July at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee St.

The festivities begin at 7 p.m. with concerts on two stages by the Fugitive Brass Quartet and Redline, said Colleen McQuitty, the city's special events coordinator. The music continues with a concert by the Rockville Concert Band at 8 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. Limited bleacher seating will be available. Food vendors will have hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, Korean barbeque and ice cream for purchase.

Parking is available in all Montgomery College lots and on the corner of Mannakee Street and Route 355. Rain date is Sunday.FOURTH FESTIVITIES

Takoma Park's 120th Annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration will be held Saturday, with the parade starting at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen avenues. Concerts at 7 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Food. Parking is available at community center at 7500 Maple Ave.

Correction: This story originally misspelled Belle Ziegler's last name as Zeigler.