FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PARADE SPECTATORS QUESTIONS
Q: What day is the 4th of July on?
A: Believe it or not, this is one of the most frequently asked questions of the Catonsville 4th of July Committee. The parade is always held on July 4th unless the holiday falls on a Sunday, then it is moved to July 3rd. This won’t happen again until 2021, so you are safe showing up on July 4th until then.
Q: What time does the parade start?
A: 3:00 p.m. on July 4th
Q: Where is the parade route?
A: The parade lines up on Montrose Ave. and enters in the 1600 block of Frederick Road (near Matthews 1600 Restaurant). It proceeds down to the 700 block of Frederick Road and makes a right onto Bloomsbury Ave. The parade ends at the Bloomsbury Center (old Catonsville Middle School).
Important note: We are asking residents who are not involved in the parade to stay off the Montrose Avenue portion of the parade route after 2:15 p.m. We know it is fun to watch the line-up but we need spectators to wait until the parade comes down Frederick Road. Everyone’s safety is at stake with buses, small children and vehicles trying to get to their spot. Help us out and stay off Montrose Ave.
Q: How long is the parade route?
A: The parade route is 1.1 miles.
Q: How long will the parade last?
A: The parade will last between 1 ½ – 2 hours for spectators.
Q: Are there bathrooms facilities available?
A: There are no bathroom facilities along the parade route. There are a few Bobby’s Potty’s on Montrose Ave. but these are primarily for the use of parade participants and marching bands
Q: Where can I park for the parade? Is handicapped parking available?
A: There are no parking lots or other special/handicapped parking accommodations available for the parade. We suggest that you park on one of the side streets off Frederick Road between Dutton and Ingleside Avenues. If you want to park near the parade route, we suggest that you arrive at the parade route early, no later than 2 p.m. If you are assisting elderly or handicapped individuals, you may want to consider patronizing one of the Catonsville’s downtown restaurants before and during the parade for easy access to parking, food, drink, bathroom facilities and air conditioning. Handicapped parking is available for the fireworks on the top lot near the high school cafeteria.
Q: What type of beverages can we bring to the parade? What is the alcoholic beverage policy for the parade?
A: The parade route can be very hot so we strongly suggest that you bring plenty of water or other non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Q: Are dogs allowed on the parade route?
A: Leave your pets at home as loud bands, sirens, firecrackers and confusing pedestrian traffic can really stress your pet. More frightened pets are lost on July 4th than any other day of the year. Leave them home in the quiet of an air conditioned room.
Q: Which streets will be closed and at what time?
A: To accommodate parade and fireworks events, the following streets will be closed
- Montrose, Ivanhoe, Idlewylde, Seminole and Ridge Avenues will be closed at 1 p.m. There is no parking along these roads after 1 p.m.
- To accommodate the parade, Frederick Road will be closed between Dutton Ave. and Ingleside/ Bloomsbury Avenues beginning at 2 p.m. and all side roads off of Frederick Road will be blocked. Traffic on Frederick Rd. will be detoured off Frederick Road and onto Edmondson Avenue at Delrey Ave. on the east and Rolling Road on the west. Frederick Road will close at 2 p.m. as will access to Bishop’s Lane and St. Timothy’s Lane. Bishop’s Lane will be closed to thru traffic, as there is no outlet at Bloomsbury Ave, at the parade route.
- Rolling Road will be open during the parade, but all traffic will be detoured to side streets and/or turned around and detoured back to Rolling Road, so you can expect major gridlock after 2 p.m. If you are traveling north or south, consider using the Beltway from Wilkens to Edmondson instead of Rolling Road. Follow the detour signs. Valley Road between Rolling and Hilltop will be closed from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the fireworks celebration. Valley and Hilltop Roads will be completely shutdown at 7 p.m. and will reopen at approximately 10 p.m.
Q: I’m planning a large picnic at my house on July 4th and I live in Oak Forest, Bishop’s Lane (or another nearby neighborhood). Will my guests be able to get to my house?
A: We strongly encourage you to tell your guest to arrive at your house by 1 p.m. We cannot guarantee that they will be able to get up your street as marching bands will be staged on some and volunteers will be blocking others.
PARADE PARTICIPANT QUESTIONS
Q: How much does it cost to be in the parade?
Non-business entries are charged a $50.00 registration fee and business entries are $200.00. For more information and an application, visit http://www.catonsvillecelebrations.org/register/index.php
Q: We are in the parade. What time should we arrive and where should we go?
A: Staging of all parade entries is on Montrose Avenue. We ask that parade participants arrive no later than 2:00 p.m. Frederick Road closes down at 2 p.m. and traffic gridlocks making it impossible to drive near Montrose Ave. Please refer to the check in map and directions under the parade tab. If you are dropping off parade participants after 2 p.m., you may want to drop them off near Opie’s Snowballs in the 1600 block of Edmondson and have them walk up the #8 Streetcar Path which is 1/3 mile paved trail.
Q: How do we “check-in” when we arrive at the parade?
A: The parade-entry “check-in” table is located at the corner of Tredegar and Montrose Avenues. The band check in is at Park Grove and Montrose. Signs are posted along S. Rolling Road directing you to the appropriate check in area.
Q. Should every member of our parade group go through “check-in”?
A: No, please pre-select one person from your group to handle the “check in” process and obtain your space assignment and last minute instructions. Other members of your group should not go through check-in process. If you are just dropping off parade participants, do not go through the check-in line.
Q: We are in the parade. How do we get back to the beginning of the parade route?
A: We recommend that you plan on walking back to the beginning of the parade. Again, traffic is gridlocked before, during and after the parade and the fastest way to get around is on foot.
Q: At the end of the parade route at the Bloomsbury Center, where should we park our buses, vehicles and trailers so that we can load up after the parade?
A: Committee members will direct large vehicles, such as buses and trailers, to the parking area at the Bloomsbury Center. Cars and small trucks should use on-street near the parade terminus. Mellor Avenue, one block west of the Bloomsbury Center, has ample on-street parking.
Q: How is the order of the parade decided?
A: A group of dedicated volunteers, who are experts at producing parade events, decide the order. They mix the parade entries to ensure that musical units are appropriately spaced throughout the parade and entries are positioned in the parade to provide maximum entertainment. The parade committee tries to accommodate all special requests.
Q: We have small children, seniors, costumed characters, vehicle that overheats and/or a busy schedule and need to be at the beginning of the parade. Can you honor this?
A: Approximately 90% of our special requests are to be placed near the front of the parade. Obviously, we can’t honor most of these requests. We will continue to monitor these requests, but please understand our situation and plan accordingly.
Q: I’m afraid that my float is too tall and may hit power lines. Is there a height restriction?
A: Yes, floats must be less than 13’ 6”.
FIREWORKS QUESTIONS
Q: What time do the fireworks start?
A: The fireworks begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Fireworks Family Fest will offer those who arrive early, the opportunity to listen to live music and entertainment. A variety of family friendly food vendors will be available selling sandwiches, hotdogs, snowballs, ice cream and more.
Q: What roads are closed during the fireworks?
A: Valley Road is closed at 5 p.m. between Rolling Road and Hilltop. Valley Road and Hilltop Roads will be completely closed down at 7 p.m. and will reopen at approximately 10 p.m.
Q: What happens if it rains?
A: We have an inclement weather policy so you can see how we make the decision to cancel. If the fireworks are rained out on Thursday, July 4th, 2013 we will reschedule for Saturday, July 6th. If July
6h is rained out, the fireworks will be cancelled for 2013.
Q: How can I find out if the fireworks are cancelled due to rain?
A: The best way is to sign up for our e-mail alerts at our website. The moment we make the decision to cancel, we will post on our website and send out an e-mail alert to subscribers.
Q: Where should I park for the fireworks?
A: Parking is really tough for this event. If you can walk to the high school, please do. Parking is really tough after 7:30 p.m. There will be detours, road closures and police officers directing traffic. Please follow their directions.
Q: Is handicapped parking available?
A: Yes, we will have handicapped parking at Catonsville High School on the top parking lot closest to the cafeteria and playing fields. Look for the signs. There is a new accessible ramp that starts near the parking lots and runs parallel to the tennis courts. The ramp will take you to the parking lot and you will have access to the Valley Road vendor area as well as handicap accessible bathroom facilities. First Come – First Serve!
Q: It sounds like Catonsville High School is pretty crowded. Is there any other place to view the Catonsville fireworks?
A: Residents report that their favorite viewing areas include Catonsville Community College, UMBC and Spring Grove. Check out Arbutus Methodist Church on Shelbourne Ave. They have a festival, home cooked food, bathrooms, a playground, a great view of the fireworks and it is a major fundraiser for their church.
Q: Are bathroom facilities available at the fireworks?
A: Yes, Bobby’s Potty’s are available on the Valley Road parking lot at Catonsville High School. A handicapped accessible bathroom facility is also available at this location.
Q: Are dogs allowed at the fireworks?
A: Leave your pets at home as loud bands, sirens, firecrackers and confusing pedestrian traffic can really stress your pet. More frightened pets are lost on July 4th than any other day of the year. Leave them home in the quiet of an air conditioned room.
Q: Can I bring alcoholic beverages to the fireworks?
A: Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited on school property. Smoking is also prohibited.
Q. What is the quickest way for me to get home after the fireworks?
A: After the fireworks, all traffic on Rolling Road will be directed to go south and sent to Route 195 towards I-95. All traffic on Wilkens Ave. will be directed to I-695. Remember, there are thousands of cars jamming every road and side street. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts. Plan to be in a backup for at least ½ hours after the fireworks
General Questions
Q: I’d like to buy an ad in the program book. Who can I call?
A: The program book deadline is May 1. Call Steve Head at Head Graphics 410-744-0415.
Q: How can I support the Catonsville 4th of July Committee and its efforts?
A: You can support the Committee through in-kind and/or monetary donations. Monetary donations can be made all year long by visiting at our website and/or mailing check(s) made payable to the Catonsville 4th of July Committee, P.O. Box 21202, Catonsville, MD 21228. In addition, you are welcome to attend our monthly meetings to voice your suggestions/ideas or volunteer your time and talents during the day of the parade and fireworks, whether for 1 hour or the entire day’s celebration. If you wish to support us via an in-kind donation, please contact the Committee directly at info@catonsvillecelebrations.org.
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