Press Releases

Story Ideas for Catonsville 2012 Parade and Fireworks

Visit our website, www.catonsvillecelebrations.org. Please contact Maureen Sweeney Smith at 443-326-5474 if you would like to set up interviews.

1. Catonsville residents are passionate about their July 4th traditions. To make sure they get a good seat for the parade, they begin setting up chairs the week before the holiday. Great photo opportunity for live shots.Chairs can be seen from the 1000 to 1600 block of Frederick Road, 21228.
2. One of the ways Catonsville attracts top notch marching bands is to feed them lunch. On July 3rd, dozens of volunteers will prepare 1,000 sandwiches to feed the bands at the Knights of Columbus, 1010 Frederick Rd. (10 a.m.).
3. 4th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest at Duesenberg’s Café and Grill. A dozen contestants will vie for “Catonsville’s Biggest Weiner” trophy. Contest will be held on July 4th at 10 Mellor Avenue at 1:30 p.m.
4. Producing a parade and fireworks show is expensive! The Catonsville Celebrations Committee’s budget will exceed $100,000. The fireworks and related expenses are $30,000. Few know that each of the 15 marching band in the parade charges an average of $2,000 each. The committee hosts a variety of fundraisers including a Fireworks Family Fun Fest before the fireworks at Valley Road and Rolling Road at 6:30 p.m.
5. See how volunteers are raising the money in these tough economic times when prices are soaring. See how the “Catonsville Collectors” assist the parade every year by going door-to-door and collecting during the parade.
6. July 4th is a great day for kids and that is especially true in Catonsville. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., kids will compete in traditional games and races for prizes. The annual bike decorating contest is a kid favorite. Great photo opportunity. Catonsville High School — Valley Road and Rolling Road.
7. Zaget Restaurant Guide proclaims Peggy Bailey, a waitress at Jennings Café in Catonsville, as Baltimore Best Waitress. Peggy, dressed in a elegant Independence Day gown, will be taking her annual ride down Frederick Road. It is a Catonsville tradition for her regular customers to call out their orders as she glides by. Peggy is available for interviews by appointment, and you can get a peek of her July 4th creation designed especially for the Catonsville parade. Call Maureen Sweeney Smith at 443-326-5474.

For more information on these stories, go to www.catonsvillecelebrations.org. To set interviews, call Maureen Sweeney Smith at 443-326-5474.