Join us as we fundraise for the Catonsville parade and fireworks

Monday, June 4, 2012

5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

McDonald’s at 501 Frederick Road

20% of all sales (inside and drive-thru) from 5 to 8 p.m. will go towards the 2012 Catonsville 4^th of July Parade and Fireworks.

 See our flyer for more information McD and C4JC flyer 6.4.12

John Jacobs (second from right) poses with children, Jake and Steph, and brother-in-law, Jerry Amass, at a 2010 Catonsville 4th of July Roadblock.  John is a member of the Catonsville Men’s Civic Association (CMCA) , one of the local groups that raises funds for the July 4th Parade and Fireworks.  John and his family volunteer every year for the roadblock and will be at the  at the corner of Frederick Rd. and Bloomsbury/Ingleside Avenue on Saturday, June 23, 2012.

Basic Parade Route Map

The map below shows a basic version of the parade route.  The parade begins at Montrose Ave. and finishes at Ingleside/Bloomsbury Ave.  Be sure to allow plenty of time to get to your location.  If you are would like to see road closures and detours or if you are in the parade, use the Check In Map.  Please note that Frederick Road shuts down at 2 p.m. so bands and parade participants should follow check in map and instructions.

View Larger Map

• Avoid the traffic and come early!
• Bring your blanket and stake out a good spot to watch the fireworks.
• Family Fun Activities
• Create memories for your family!

Selling Vendors
We put together a great selection of carnival style foods for sale. There will be no long lines this year! Our vendors promise to be family and budget friendly as well as fast and courteous!

• Nathan’s Hot Dogs
• Hershey Ice Cream
• Italian Ice
• Root Beer Floats
• Frito Pies
• Cold drinks and more!!!

Music by the School of Rock — Baltimore
Talented teen musicians packing a classic rock punch. Dancing is strongly encouraged!
Learn more about the School of Rock »

The attention is then on the young lady who, in perfect pitch, belts out a fabulous version of “The Star Spangled Banner.” She then quietly leaves the stage and takes her place with her family to enjoy the rest of the evening watching fireworks. “Who was that girl with the beautiful voice?” rumbles through the crowd just as the fireworks start.

That girl is Julia Tucker, a lifelong resident of Catonsville and a 2010 graduate of Catonsville High School who has been singing since she could talk. She sang her way through our local schools and was a member of the Maryland All-State Chorus (2007) and Baltimore County High School All-County Honors Chorus (2007, 2008, 2009).

Julia’s had a lot of practice singing our National Anthem. She has sung it at just about every venue, including Cal Ripken World Series, Baltimore Mariner’s games, local colleges teams and even at her high school games. She sings at fundraisers, press conferences and anywhere she is needed. Julia has been singing at the Catonsville celebration since 2007.

Julia is studying at Stevenson University. Her voice has earned her a job that pays for her talent, singing the national anthem at Stevenson athletic events. She hopes to graduate in 2014 with a degree in Business Communications. She looks forward to her future and wonders where her life and her voice might take her, but she is pretty sure she know where she will be every July 4th…in Catonsville.

Thanks, Julia!

Parade 

The Catonsville Parade will be held rain or shine.

Fireworks

The goal of the Catonsville 4^th of July Fireworks Committee is to provide a safe and well organized fireworks display for the residents of Catonsville and the surrounding areas. When the fireworks are delayed, postponed or cancelled due to inclement weather, the following factors influence the Catonsville 4^th of July Committees’ decision:

• Rain does not hinder the committee’s ability to shoot the fireworks.  The fireworks will typically be held if there is light or intermittent rain.  If there is a prolonged heavy rain, the fireworks will be delayed until the weather clears or if it does not clear, will be postponed until the scheduled rain date. Rain date is Saturday, July 7^th, 2012.
• If storms with lightning occur it creates an unsafe environment not just for fireworks display but more importantly for the spectators. The Catonsville 4^th of July Committee will delay the start of the display until there is a safe period without lightning before the Committee will consider the firing of the fireworks display. If storms with lightning continue, the display will be postponed to the rain date.
• The Fireworks Committee is in contact with WBAL 11 Weather Center throughout the day and evening of the show and consults with their professionals to determine if the weather forecast for the scheduled time of the display will be favorable.  Taking that into consideration and in close coordination with the Baltimore County Fire Marshal’s office, the Catonsville Celebrations Committee will take those inputs, as well as the safety and comfort of the spectators, into consideration to determine if the firing of the fireworks display will take place or be postponed.
• If the inclement weather persists on the rain date, the Committee, after considerable review and discussion, may opt to cancel the display for this year.  This information will be posted on the Catonsville 4^th of July Committee web page.
• There is significant cost involved with cancelling a fireworks display, so the   Catonsville 4^th of July Committee will make every effort to ensure the community gets to enjoy the best community sponsored fireworks display in Maryland.
• If the weather is questionable, go to www.catonsvillecelebrations.org  for updates.

After tallying the votes, awards went to the following parade entries:

Marie O’Dea — Northrop Grumman
Best School Entry — Catonsville Elementary
Best Business Entry — The Wine Bin
Best Community Organization — Catonsville Children’s Theatre
Best Religious Affiliation — St. Mark School
Special Judges Awards — Liberty Showcase Theatre, Kinetic Race Entries, and SmartCoach (Taekwondo)

Judging Guidelines
Every entry in the parade will be reviewed by our panel of judges and scored on the following criteria.

• Abiding by the Theme of the Parade
• Originality
• Eye Catching
• Effort in Design

Judges will be disbursed throughout the crowd and no formal judging tent is at the Knights of Columbus.

Awards
The following awards will honor the winners of the 2012 Parade

• Marie O’Dea Award — Best Overall Entry in Parade
• Uncle Sam Award — Best Neighborhood Entry
• Uncle Sam Award — Best Organization Entry
• Uncle Sam Award — Best School Entry

Whether you’re part of an organization, a business, or just a group of friends, we want to see your creative talents on display in this soon-to-be Catonsville tradition. Decorate it anyway you’d like, keeping it G-rated of course.

Click here to learn more…

Deadline for application is June 25, 2012.

We agree to hold harmless the Catonsville Celebrations Committee and its representatives for any damage we may suffer or cause and to secure such a promise from and on behalf of each in our unit.

We agree to be in our assigned position in the formation area at the time instructed and to follow the instructions of parade officials.

We have read and agree to abide by the rules and regulations provided to us by the Parade Committee. All entries will follow the directions of the parade representatives and police at all times.

No candy or promotional items are to be tossed from vehicles or floats to individuals watching the parade. Individuals walking the parade route with prior approval may distribute items by hand. Absolutely no paper handouts such as brochures, coupons and/or flyers can be distributed during the parade.

Any entry that includes children must have adequate adult supervision. Adult supervision is required on all floats and open vehicles carrying children.

Prohibited Items: Water pistols/guns, super-soakers and other devices that propel water, silling string, and any other item that could cause harm to the residents watching the parade.

The Catonsville Celebrations Committee has the right to remove any person, vehicle, float etc… not meeting the Catonsville Celebrations Committee criterion and standards. Entries should follow the theme of the parade.

Entries are not to espouse political, social or other themes or causes.

Only elected officials representing the Catonsville districts will be permitted to participate in the parade. Candidates and their immediate families will be permitted on the parade route. Supporters/walkers are not permitted to march the parade. No campaign t-shirts are permitted in parade. CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARADE.

Commercial/business entries may not simply ride through the parade route in their company vehicle. All entries must be decorated according to the parade theme and/or in an appropriate holiday manner. Businesses will be charged a $200.00 entry fee. In lieu of this fee, businesses can opt to support the parade by advertising in the program book.

The committee reserves the right to photography and/or record the entire parade and use these images to promote the committee’s activities, including but not limited to the use in electronic media, which includes the committee’s website and other electronic media.

Updates and additional information are available at www.catonsvillecelebrations.org.