Twice the Fun for the 4th

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The stadium stage hailed all the official pomp and circumstance with the Fugitive Brass Quintet opening for the Rockville Concert Band. Never wanting to miss out on anything happening at an event, I left my family in the parking lot by the campus stage and headed over to the stadium where you could sing the National Anthem and see local elected officials in patriotic fashion. Dr. Judy Ackerman, Provost, welcomed everyone to the campus and introduced Mayor Susan Hoffmann, who then introduced all the city council members, John Britton, Piotr Gajewski, Phyllis Marcuccio and Anne Robbins, along with State Senator Jennie Forehand and Maryland State Delegate Kumar Barve. Every available spot in the grassy area between the bleachers and stage packed with people politely waiting for the fireworks. A small tease occurred during the Star Spangled Banner and then the location was front row for the main attraction.

When I walked back to the campus stage, I couldn’t believe the difference in atmosphere. Large groups of teenagers and young people in their 20’s were gathered in groups while younger kids had space to play, toss, and move around. A dedicated group crowded the stage where Redline’s talented musicians pumped out their recognizable rock. The outer parking lot was still partially vacant so people were spread out with real room to party.

I wish the campus stage could include more of the official festivities. At a minimum it would be nice to pipe in the National Anthem during the band’s break, so everyone at the location knows why the brief fireworks were set off early. Many of the kids thought the fireworks were starting and stopped playing in confusion. Since the songs during the fireworks are pumped into both locations, perhaps some link is possible.

Burt Hall and Mayor Susan Hoffmann

Regardless, Burt Hall, Director of Recreation and Parks, said it was good to have both locations. I didn’t really understand until I visited and realized the City was providing two distinctive experiences to appeal to a very large portion of the population.

Rockville’s firework display is impressive for our size city. Every year I find myself thinking it was the finale and the show continues to an even bigger conclusion.

Vehicles were lined up at a complete stop to leave the parking lot. The police had streets blocked or made one-way to move everyone out quickly in an efficient manner. We parked at the swim center and waited briefly to leave so it wasn’t too bad.

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