Fourth of July in Delaware: fireworks, parades and more

SATURDAY

New Castle County

"Let Freedom Ring" New Castle. Bell-ringing ceremony beginning with bells in Philadelphia; bells across the country will commemorate American independence on Saturday. Audience must be seated at the church no later than 1:25 p.m. Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Includes speaker Christopher Mlynarczyk, president of the 1st Delaware Regiment. Following the ceremony, 13 children representing the Colonies will ring a smaller bell, donated by the Old Courthouse Museum. Immanuel Church on the Green, 50 Market St., New Castle.

"Fireworks Express" Wilmington & Western Railroad. Board the Wilmington & Western Railroad's Fireworks Express to a festive display in Hockessin. From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Passengers are welcome to bring coolers, blankets and folding chairs aboard. Allow four hours for the train ride and fireworks show. Adult, $20; senior, $19; children, $16; children under 2, free. Reservations required. Call 302-998-1930.

Liberty Day Celebration in Newark. Live music by the Reunion at 6 p.m. Juggling Hoffmans at 7:15 p.m. Club Phred at 7:45 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. No pets. At University of Delaware's Nelson Athletic Complex, South College Avenue, Newark. Rain date for fireworks is Sunday. Call 302-366-7147 or visit www.dsadelaware.org.

Fourth of July Fireworks in Newark. The annual Independence Day celebration will feature live entertainment, food, arts and crafts and games at the University of Delaware's Athletic Complex on South Avenue. From 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The fireworks will start between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Fourth of July Celebration at the Wilmington Waterfront. Celebrate the Fourth on the Riverfront in Tubman-Garrett Park. Beginning at 2 p.m., the festivities will include rides, games and a 50-foot obstacle course. Fireworks at dusk. There will also be historical re-enactments and a crab feast. Admission is free.

Hockessin Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks. Parade begins at 3 p.m. on Old Lancaster Pike. Fireworks at dusk. In the spirited tradition of eating contests on July Fourth, the town is introducing the "Great American Gut Buster Food Devouring Spectacle."

Middletown July 4th Parade and Fireworks. Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Broad and Main streets. Fireworks at Silver Lake Park at dusk. Park opens at 6 p.m. Food will be sold. No pets, no bikes, no skateboards, no alcohol, no open flames and no personal fireworks allowed.

Kent County

"Thunder and Rain" in Dover. Independence Day program features a film about Caesar Rodney's historic ride for independence. Shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Old State House, 25 The Green, Dover. At 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., the bell of the Old State House will ring in celebration of the nation's birthday, followed immediately by site interpreters, dressed in period clothing, who will recite the Declaration of Independence aloud from the spot where the document was first read to the citizens of Dover in 1776. First Saturday in the First State program. For more information call 302-744-5055.

"Stars and Stripes" guided tour at Johnson Victrola Museum in Dover explores some of Victor Records' many recordings of patriotic music played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. First Saturday in the First State program. Museum located at 375 S. New St. Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information call 302-744-5055.

"Flags on the Moon" in Dover. The Delaware Public Archives will celebrate the holiday with local author and former NASA engineer Jack Clemons to mark the 46th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon mission. Apollo 11 was the first of six Apollo spacecrafts to land on the moon. Beyond the exploration and scientific experiments carried out, each Apollo crew planted an American flag at their lunar landing site. The one-hour program is free. No reservations required. Delaware Public Archives, 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North. For more information, contact Tom Summers 302-744-5047 or e-mail thomas.summers@state.de.us.

Dover Fourth of July: A Celebration of Independence in the Capital of the First State. Historic tours, food and more take place in historic Dover, including an outdoor concert packed with patriotic tunes on Legislative Mall. Events from 9 a.m. until dusk. Fireworks blast off above Legislative Hall at about 9:20 p.m.

Smyrna July 4th Parade, Carnival and Fireworks. Parade formation 7 a.m. at Smyrna Elementary School. Parade begins 9:30 a.m. Carnival at 10 a.m. in George C. Wright Municipal Park. Registration for dog contest at 11 a.m. Opening ceremonies at bandstand at 11:45 a.m., July 4th Queens/Baby Contest winners. At noon, concert by Citizens' Hose Company No. 1 Band. Dog contest begins 12:30 p.m. Parade awards at 1:30 p.m. Fireworks at dusk across from Smyrna High School on Duck Creek Parkway.

Sussex County

Dewey Beach July 4th Fireworks. Grab a lawn chair or a beach blanket and watch fireworks at 9 p.m.. Fireworks will be set off from a barge in the bay and will be visible from any bar or restaurant along the bayside in Dewey. Admission is free.

Independence Day Celebration at Bethany Beach. Enjoy an old-fashioned Fourth of July parade with floats, bikes and marching bands. Plus, live entertainment at the bandstand and fireworks. Parade from noon to 2 p.m.; fireworks at dusk. Admission is free.

July Fourth Celebration in Milton is "Bringing Mayberry Back to Milton." The festivities, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., begin with an old-fashioned picnic that includes a dunk tank, sack races, pie-baking contest, games, bike decorating contest and bike parade. Music and entertainment throughout the day in the gazebo, and the Lions Club train will be running. Food available from vendors – free ice cream. The Farmers Market will be open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with live music. At 7 p.m., an "American Songbook" and "Patriotic Salute" performed at Milton Memorial Park, Front Street. For more information call 302-684-8889.

Independence Day Celebration in Laurel. Enjoy Fourth of July festivities with a parade, the mayor's Cornhole Contest, face-painting and a pie-eating contest at Market Square Park. Wrap up the day with a fireworks display at dusk. Parade at 5 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission is Free.

Lewes' Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration. Lewes continues its long tradition of hosting old-fashioned games for children and the Lewes Fourth of July Boat Parade, which will wind down the Lewes-Rehoboth canal to Fisherman's Wharf. As part of the holiday festivities, there will also be the Doo-Dah Parade. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The day is full of fun and exciting things to do for the whole family. (Please note there are no fireworks at this celebration). Admission is free.

11th annual Fourth of July Celebration Lewes. Classic Car Show, BBQ, Games, Music, Family Fun. On Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free Trinity Faith Christian Center, 15516 New Road, Lewes. For more information call 302-645-5446 or 302-745-7295. Rain Date is Saturday, July 11.

St. Mark's Fourth of July Celebration in Millsboro begins at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, State and Ellis streets. Kids are encouraged to decorate their bikes, wagons, tricycles, strollers and dogs with the most patriotic decorations. Trophies awarded in those categories. Everyone encouraged to wear their favorite patriotic dress.

SUNDAY

Sussex County

July Fourth Fireworks in Rehoboth Beach. Celebrate Independence Day in Rehoboth Beach on Sunday. A spectacular fireworks display will be launched from the beach at 9:15 p.m. and will be visible up and down the boardwalk. Enjoy live entertainment at the Rehoboth Beach bandstand before and after the fireworks. Admission is free.