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The country only turns a quarter-millennium once, and Americans are celebrating the 250th birthday from sea to shining sea all year long. Locally, upcoming events will offer unique experiences ranging from seeing a display of ships and aircraft from around the world, to reflecting on the country’s history through special music, and more.
June 24-30
International tall ships, military ships and aircraft will come together in this global gathering to celebrate the founding of the United States. Baltimore is the third of five cities participating in the national event, preceded by New Orleans and Norfolk, and followed by New York and Boston.
From June 25-29, the public can visit ships from Argentina, Canada, Columbia, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay and, of course, many from the United States including the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle. Severna Park High School class of 2002 graduate Lee Currier, chief warrant officer and first lieutenant and sailmaster onboard the Eagle, shared that the ship will lead the arriving parade of sail.
On June 27-28 from noon-4:00pm, Baltimore will roar with jet noise as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels shred the skies in an air show featuring the British Royal Air Force Red Arrows, the French Air & Space Force Patrouille de France, and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team.
Learn more about Sail250 festivities at www.sail250md.org.
July 2 and 4
On Thursday, July 2, Severna Park’s own David and Ginger Hildebrand, experts in early American music, will present “Music of the American Revolution” at Historic London Town & Gardens at 6:00pm. They will perform in costume using traditional instruments including the hammered dulcimer, violin and historic guitars. The program will feature period songs, marches and ballads. Tickets are required.
The Hildebrands will also perform at the Maryland State House in the Old House of Delegates Chamber on July 4 at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Seating is limited and first-come, first-serve for these free concerts.
July 3, 7:30pm
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra brass quintet will perform a free concert on the lawn of St. John’s College in Annapolis prior to a public screening of the film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Hamilton.” Musicians Christopher Buchanan and Thomas Bithell (trumpets), Shane Iler (horn), David Perkel (trombone) and Jake Fewx (tuba) will present a repertoire of patriotic favorites, classical works, Broadway selections and more. Learn more at www.annapolissymphony.org.
July 4
The State House will mark the country’s 250th anniversary with a day of free events for all ages including a scavenger hunt, a display of Maryland documents related to the nation’s founding, an opportunity to reflect on what independence meant for African Americans including Frederick Douglass, and exhibits and activities centered on the state’s early history. The event will run from noon-4:00pm.
On July 5, a free patriotic program titled “American Pride” will take place at Historic Hancock’s Resolution from 10:00am-4:00pm. Attendees can enjoy interactive programming and patriotic music. On July 21 at 11:00am, Hancock’s Resolution will keep the celebration going with “Mapping Early America,” a free and immersive look at Captain John Smith’s mapping expedition. Visitors can get hands-on with the navigational tools used.
July 11-12 is Living History Weekend at Historic London Town & Gardens. Included with regular admission, visitors can step back into 1776 and experience the Declaration of Independence afresh. Running from 10:00am-4:00pm, the event will feature skilled interpreters, militia marching, interactive games and crafts for the whole family, colonial music, vendors and more.
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