Sussex prepares to celebrate the Fourth

With the Dagsboro Church of God out of the firework-celebration business for a couple years now, local residents may have to travel a little farther for the traditional Fourth of July fireworks, but there is still plenty going on both in the county and just outside as we celebrate America’s independence:

Bethany Beach/Fenwick Island
• The Town of Bethany Beach will hold a parade, “Pride, Tradition and Dedication” beginning at noon at Garfield Parkway and North Pennsylvania Avenue. The parade will last approximately one and a half hours. The 19th Horseshoe Tournament will be held at the conclusion of the parade on the Christian Church grounds at 2 p.m. The awards presentation will be held on the Bandstand at 7:15 p.m., with fireworks at dusk. For more information, contact the Town of Bethany Beach at 539-8011 or visit www.townofbethanybeach.com.

Dover
•  Walking tours, exhibits, reenactments and children’s activities from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout First State Heritage Park.
•  Children’s activities, including face painting, moonbounce and pony rides from 5-8:30 p.m. Food and vendors from 5-9 p.m. on Duke of York Street.
• Free concert on the stage in front of Legislative Mall by Smooth Sounds Dance Band of the Milford Community Band.
• At 6 p.m. will be the parade down State Street, starting at Hazel Road and ending past The Green.
• The U.S. Air Force’s touring rock band, the Blue Aces, will perform on the Legislative Hall stage at 6:30 p.m.
• Starting at 8 p.m. there will be an opening ceremony including a C-5 flyer, followed by the 287th Army Band of the Delaware National Guard and fireworks around 9:20 p.m.

Laurel
•  An Independence Day Prayer Breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. at Janosick Park. Tickets are $10; contact Payroll Plus at 875-0370 or 1014 S. Central Ave., Laurel. Tickets are by advance sale only.  Food and craft vendors will be set up all day beginning at 8 a.m. The parade will take place at 7 p.m. and live music will begin at 8 p.m. at Janosik Park following the parade. Fireworks at dusk.
•  A carnival will also be held on July 2 and 3, from 6-10 p.m. at North Central Avenue. Buy a wristband for $15 and ride all night. The carnival continues on July 4, from 10:30 a.m. until closing and July 5, from 6 p.m. until closing. Buy tickets for $1 or a strip of 25 for $20.

Lewes
• Children’s games on Second St at 10 a.m. Decorated boat parade on canal at 2 p.m. Free.

Millsboro
• A children’s parade will take place on July 4 at 10 a.m. in downtown Millsboro. Prizes will be awarded. The parade will begin at the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church labyrinth, continue down Ellis and across State Street before heading to Cupola Park. A program to honor servicemen and veterans will take place at the labyrinth before the parade.

Rehoboth/Dewey
• The Rehoboth Bandstand’s free celebration will begin July 3 with the Air National Guard of the Mid-Atlantic at 8 p.m.  The U.S. Army Field Band will perform on July 4 at 8 p.m. Fireworks will be held at approximately 9:15 p.m., followed by a concert by The Funsters at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand. A shuttle will run from County Bank on Route 1 beginning at 5 p.m. The fun continues Saturday with Jesse Garron, Elvis impersonator and classic rock group Remedy performing at 8 p.m.