FIRED UP FOR THE FOURTH

A crowd gathers on the beach in Ocean City to watch a fireworks display last year at the inlet. This year, the resort will set off fireworks on the beach in the downtown area and at Northside Park on 127th Street. (July 3, 2009) Fourth of July festivities for the entire family, including games, amusements, swimming, and of course, fireworks, will take place at several locations this Friday and Saturday.

OCEAN CITY:

n Uptown concert: The free concert by Dr. K's Motown Review will begin at 8 p.m. at Northside Park on 127th Street. Fireworks will go off at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

n Downtown concert: Rick K and the Allnighters will performed on the beach at North Division Street in downtown Ocean City at 8 p.m. The fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Since parking is limited at Northside Park and in the downtown area, organizers of the resort events recommend visitors use the bus. Guests can ride all day for $2. Buses run 24 hours a day. The West Ocean City Park and Ride on Route 50 offers free parking and $1 shuttle service downtown.

For information about the Ocean City activities, call the recreation department at 410- 250-0125, Department of Tourism at 1-800-626-2326, or visit www.ococean.com.

OCEAN PINES:

n Pool party: The July Fourth holiday will also be celebrated at the Sports Core Pool in Ocean Pines on Saturday. Families can spend an "All-American Day" in Ocean Pines from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., swimming, listening to music, playing games and snacking on a variety of food. Children can also have their faces painted and jump around in a moon bounce. Those with a pool membership are admitted free. Adults without memberships will be required to pay $7. The cost for children ages 5-17 is $5.

n Ocean Downs fireworks: Activities at Ocean Downs Racetrack, on Route 589 near Ocean Pines, will begin at 7 p.m. Friday. There will be children's games, face painting, clowns, food and music. Fireworks will start shortly after dark. Admission and parking are free at the racetrack. Seating is available in the grandstand, although spectators are encouraged to take a blanket and watch from the infield. For information, call the recreation department at 410-641-7717, Ext. 3050.

FURNACE TOWN: n July 4 will be commemorated in traditional 19th cen- tury style at Furnace Town on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"This is the first annual Fourth of July celebration at Furnace Town. We decided to hold a celebration so that families in the area and visiting the area would have an alternative and family-friendly way to partake in Fourth of July events," said Sarah Meyers, executive director of Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum. "We are hoping that everyone … comes out to Furnace Town to get an idea of how the Fourth would have been celebrated in the early and mid-1800s, when the United States was still a new country and some people could still remember the American war for independance and the sacrifices made to gain our independance from Great Britain.

"During that time," she continued, "July Fourth was a major holiday (even more popular than Christmas or Easter, which were both only religious holidays). It was a day that communities got together and had fun, and that is what we at Furnace Town are hoping to re-create."

The Royal Oak musicians, an acoustic folk group, will perform traditional and contemporary music at the Old Nazareth Church from noon to 2 p.m. There will also be 19th century games and arts and crafts and the town crier reading from the Declaration of Independence. The crowd can hear about the history of the Fourth of July and view the different variations of the American flag over the years. The artisans, including the blacksmith, woodworker, broom maker, weaver and printer, will also be at work.

Bakers are invited to take their best pies to be judged. All recipes are eligible except cream pies. Three chosen visitors attending the festivities at Furnace Town will judge the entries. All entries must be at the Visitor's Center no later than 1 p.m. and include entrant's name, phone number and recipe. A grand prize will be awarded.

The cost to get into the celebration is $5 for adults, $4.50 for AAA members and those over the age of 60 and $3 for children ages 2-13. Members of the military should bring identification for free admission.

Morgan Wallace, left, and Natalie Caine, both of Bear, Del., go down an inflatable water slide set up at the Ocean Pines Sports Core during last year's Fourth of July celebration. This year's event, set for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature swimming, music, food and games, including a moon bounce. For more information, call 410-632- 2032 or visit www.furnacetown.com.

ASSATEAGUE STATE PARK:

n A carnival will take place at Assateague State Park Nature Center from 2-5 p.m. on July 4. There will be games, a moon bounce, crafts, nature programs, raffles and food. Proceeds will benefit the Assateague State Park Nature Center and interpretive programs. For more information, call 410-641-2120, Ext. 20.