🍦The results are in. The best fireworks are . . .

Good morning, Annapolis. It’s the Fourth of July in Annapolis – where star-spangled skies meet sailboat silhouettes, and patriotism echoes from City Dock to Sherwood Forest. Fireworks will light up the Severn. The Severna Park parade will display its small-town charm for the 50th time. And the forecast? As golden as freedom itself: sunny and steady in the low to mid 80s.

We’ll be soaking it all in with you – so no Scoop on Friday or Monday. But don’t worry, we’ll be back Tuesday, tanner and hydrated solely on watermelon.

Here’s to hot dogs, history, and hometown pride. Happy Fourth 🇺🇸 🗽 🦅 🎆

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Duffy Perkins

We’re making it even easier to get started on your aesthetic journey, no office visit required. Our virtual cosmetic consultations are now available and designed to give you expert, personalized recommendations from the comfort of your home. Whether you're curious about lasers and injectables, skin-tightening treatments, or the best skincare regimen for your goals, our expert board-certified dermatologists are now just a click away.

During your virtual consult, we will:

Just like our in-person consults, this is a full, personalized experience — tailored to you.

We look forward to meeting you — wherever you are!

Ah, readers. Let us assure you: we weren’t fishing for your secret fireworks spectating spot. But we did appreciate just how many of you thought exactly that. Special thanks to the person who told us the absolute best spot to watch, but added the caveat, “Just don’t tell anyone.”

We also hope that all of you parade-o-phobics will check out at least one parade on Friday! We hear the American Legion in Edgewater also does a great job, and special shout outs to Bethany Beach and St. Michaels for making the Eastern Shore proud.

Where do you watch fireworks?

Who has the best Fourth of July Parade?

Bridget Long (a CAT South rep and recent South River grad) just won gold in Culinary Arts at the national SkillsUSA competition, earning a full scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America and a ticket to compete in the World Food Championships. The event spotlights the nation’s top career and technical students, with over 6,500 state champions competing in 114 events. To win, she prepared a five-course menu and completed a written certification exam. Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll dine at Bridget’s restaurant. 🍽️

🌟 Isabella Izquieta-Cochamanidis (CAT North) earned bronze in Restaurant Service, and Severna Park’s Holly Braughton, Jackson DuPee, Evelyn Elder, and Tilu Nomm took bronze in Entrepreneurship. Top 10 AACPS finishers included CAT South’s Maya Foy-Filer, Sylvia Calabrese, and Kai Marcalus, along with CAT North students Morgon Staples, Akira Carter, Cynthia Noumy, Denise Walker, Gabriela Avalos Reyes, Mason Seitz, and Ashley Collins.

Naval Support Activity Annapolis has signed with a contractor to construct a flood wall along Prince George Street downtown. The work involves demolishing the current wall and creating a new flood wall and detachable barrier between the Barry Gate and Gate 0. The project will hopefully be completed by Winter 2026.

In Episode 5 of Community Scoop, hosts Jared Littmann and Vincent Moulden sit down with Elder Charles E. James Sr. — a Gulf War veteran, nurse, spiritual leader, and proud son of Annapolis’s historic 4th Ward.

Elder James shares his powerful story of growing up in a tight-knit community uprooted by urban renewal, serving in the military, and dedicating his life to service, faith, and family. It’s a heartfelt conversation about resilience, legacy, and what it means to lead with purpose. Watch now.

🎧 Catch all episodes at community-scoop.com!

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

How much fruit do you think Robeks Fresh Juices & Smoothies has blended up over the course of 20 years? We’re sure they’ve lost count, but what they haven’t lost is a smooth appreciation for all their customers who support them. And they’re inviting everyone to a 20th anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 12, starting at 11 AM. Stop by for free smoothies (1 per customer), live music, an Annapolis Blues FC ticket raffle, and visits from Spider-Man (11:30 AM–12:30 PM) and Moana (1:30–2:30 PM). That sounds pretty sweet.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

As the dawn’s early light comes up on July 3 (or by full daybreak if you’re reading this a few hours later than when it hits your inbox), we have all the last-minute reminders and quick refreshers about this week’s Fourth of July festivities. Whether you’re a fan of fireworks or a proponent of a good ol’ parade, here are all the details you need:

💥 Fireworks

The holiday weekend starts a night early, with Fourth of July Eve fireworks going off from Sherwood Forest on July 3 around twilight (9 PM–ish, note the ish). Although the gated community is closed to the public, you can see the fireworks from pretty much anywhere nearby on the Severn River. Get out on your boat, join a friend with a boat, or get a last minute reservation for tonight’s cruise with Watermark.

If you’re a purist who insists on fireworks the night of, you’re still in luck — the Annapolis fireworks show at City Dock is on July 4, also around 9 PM. City Dock is the best place for viewing, but you’ll still get a great show from the Eastport Bridge, the Naval Academy Bridge, or a friend’s balcony in Eastport.

🛻 Parades

The Severna Park Fourth of July Parade (now in its 50th year) is one of the biggest and best in the area. It starts at 10 AM on July 4 and follows a route along Benfield Road, Evergreen Road, Riggs Avenue, and Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd.

There’s also the Annapolis Fourth of July Parade later on July 4, starting at 6:30 PM and following a route along Amos Garrett Blvd, West Street, Church Circle, and Main Street.

🇺🇸 Anything Else?

That’s not all. Note that City of Annapolis offices will be closed on Friday, and trash pickup that normally happens on Friday is moved to Saturday.

If you want to start your Fourth by congratulating some of your newest fellow Americans, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services is holding a naturalization ceremony for immigrants receiving their citizenship on July 4, 9–10 AM at the William Paca House. It’s free and open to the public.

Finally, an important note: Annapolis Fire Department encourages you to leave the fireworks to the professionals and, y’know, not blow up your own hand trying to light off a Roman candle in your driveway. But because some people will still want to ignite their own fireworks anyway, the least you can do is be safe:

🔥 Don’t allow young children to play with fireworks
🔥 Back a safe distance away after lighting and never try to relight
🔥 Never point or throw fireworks at someone

See the fire department’s full message for more safety tips (and legal notices).

🚗 Oh, and stay local if you can. Bay Bridge traffic is going to be crazy. If you do have to travel, or if you decide to make a break for the beach, avoid these peak hours from the Maryland Department of Transportation.

Celebrate the Fourth of July with Historic Annapolis
Begin your Fourth with a naturalization ceremony for new citizens, then spend some time learning about Annapolis’ history with the professionals. Ceremony is free at 9 AM; tours run from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM and are $5–12.

While you’re running around downtown, remember that the Museum of Historic Annapolis offers free admission all day on the Fourth.

Free Concerts
City Dock hosts free concerts on Saturday and Sunday, with City Dock Tango kicking things off and Dr. Phil and his Big Band closing out the weekend. 7–9 PM.

Summer Field Market at Wildberry
The hot and rainy start to the summer months wasn’t good for our friends at Wildberry. With this weekend’s beautiful forecast, let’s get out to Crownsville on Saturday for some good times. 9 AM to Noon.

First Sunday Arts Festival
Over 150 vendors, food trucks, live music, and so much more make this such a great time downtown. 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

After the three-day holiday weekend, the County Council is quickly getting back to work. The County Council meeting is Monday, July 7 at 7 PM at the Arundel Center (44 Calvert Street). Look out for the agenda on the Council website no later than 6 PM on Monday. See all the details for watching or submitting testimony.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

88 🌡️ 70 | 🌤️ | 16% | W 8 mph (7 knots)

83 🌡️ 69 | ☀️ | 3% | 💨 NE 8 mph (7 knots)

85 🌡️ 70 | ⛅ | 4% | 💨 SSE 9 mph (8 knots)

86 🌡️ 75 | ⛅ | 7% | 💨 S 12 mph (10 knots)

85 🌡️ 76 | ⛈️ | 39% | 💨 S 12 mph (10 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 84ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West |The Aidan Antoniuk Quartet | 7:30–10 PM
AMM | Tides & Tunes | IlyAimy with Ryan Keith Band | 7–9 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Jennifer Schimpf | 4–7 PM
Brian Boru | Ryan Moran | 6–9 PM
Dark Horse | East is East | 9 PM
Killarney House | Mike Sharp| 6–9 PM
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen | Chris Sacks | 5–8 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Three Dog Night | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Emily & Chris | 4:30 PM
Severna Parl | Federico Jazz Ensemble | 5 PM

49 West | Gingerwolf & Taisha Estrada | 7:30–9 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | FessUP | 9–12 PM
The Choptank | Christopher Dean | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Mike Ferrero | 5–8 PM
Dark Horse | JukeHouse Bombers | 9 PM
Market Space | Marianne Styles | 6–9 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Shawn Musselman | 3 PM
Pirates Cove | Dave Tieff | 2–5 PM
Pirates Cove | Pete Best | 7–10 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Boroy | 8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Tavair Dominque | 5 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Genghis Khan | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Adam Forbes | 4–8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Sidewalk Soul | 9:45 PM

49 West | Hot Fun | 7:30–10:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Rich Russman Band | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Lost and Found | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Neil Nines, Jamie Kaye | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Mike Miller | 2–5 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Shake the Room | 9 PM
Dark Horse | ilyAIMY | 9 PM
Galway Bay | Scoglio Duo | 7–10 PM
Great Frogs | Jacob Panic | 1:30–4:30 PM
Great Frogs | b.en | 5:30–8:30 PM
Killarney House | Ciaran Quinn | 7:30–10:30 PM
Market Space | Brian Peacock | 2–6 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Tony Stramella Band | 8 PM
Pirates Cove | Chris Lee | 3–6 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Hudson River Line | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Glen Zeppelin | 9 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Russell Jacobsen | 6 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Shift Work | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Better Then Butters | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Tim Atkinson | 4–8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Honey Sol | 9:45 PM

49 West | Gary Wright & Leah Weiss with Ann Porcella and Bill Schmidt | 5:30–7:30 PM
Brian Boru | Finbar's Flight | 4–7 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Dave Tieff | 2–5 PM
First Sunday Arts Festival | See lineup | 11 AM–5 PM
Galway Bay | Pete Best | 4–8 PM
Great Frogs | Jordan Sokel | 1:30–4:30 PM
Market House | Casey McConville | 5–7 PM
Market Space | David Andrew Smith | 2–6 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Aaron Hawkins | Noon
Pirates Cove | Peter James | 2–5 PM
Pirates Cove | Suzy & Shaun | 6–9 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | George E. Brunch | 12 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Sean Pelan | 4–8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Michael K | 9 PM

49 West | Backroom Sessions | 7:30–10 PM

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with that guy who makes his own burger seasoning and won’t share the recipe even though you shared your grandmother’s secret chocolate chip cookie recipe with him weeks ago.