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From the City’s website:

2008 Independence Day Celebration Weekend

Staying in town this Fourth of July?  Join in some local fun as the City of Gaithersburg and 97.1 WASH-FM present a Big Bang Weekend Celebration Thursday, July 3 through Monday, July 7.  All concerts are free. 

The weekend kicks off with a children’s concert featuring the ever-popular Mr. Ray on Thursday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 South Summit Avenue in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. Mr. Ray brings a unique, brand of cool, hip, positive entertainment for the entire family to enjoy.  This concert is also sponsored in part by www.tots2tweens.com.

The festivities continue on Friday with Gaithersburg’s Fourth of July Fireworks and Concert at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street. Gates open at 5 p.m. Walk in at Chestnut or Dalamar Streets; Perry Parkway itself and the Perry Parkway entrance will be closed. No cars will be allowed in the Fairgrounds. WASH FM starts the night off at 6 p.m. with fun and games for the whole family, followed by a concert featuring Powerhouse at 7 p.m. A special City ceremony will take place at 8 p.m., with more concert to follow.  The City’s spectacular fireworks display begins at dusk. A variety of food will be sold at this event. Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages, glass containers, rollerblades, skates, bikes, pets, or fireworks of any kind will be permitted.  The rain date for the fireworks is Saturday, July 5.

Get whisked away to little latitudes on Saturday, July 5 when B2B, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, performs at the City Hall Concert Pavilion at 7 p.m.  You’ll feel like you’re on a tropical island as the band plays Jimmy Buffett favorites that will sweep you away to paradise.  Note that if the July 4 fireworks are postponed until July 5, this concert will take place at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

The exciting spirit known as “Beatlemania” is alive again in The Return, the world’s most authentic Beatles tribute band.  Enjoy this amazingly energetic concert on Sunday, July 6 at 5 p.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion.  Note that this concert was originally scheduled for May 31 but was cancelled due to inclement weather that day. 

One more exciting concert rounds out Big Bang Weekend.  Girl Authority, a group of real girls with different personalities and interests, come together to sing, dance and put their own spin on girl power hits when they perform on Monday, July 7 at 10:30 a.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion.  This concert is sponsored in part by www.tots2tweens.com.

Click on the links below for more information or call 301-258-6350 or email parksrec@gaithersburgmd.gov.

• Big Band Weekend Events
• On Stage Summer Concert Series

Following the “Big Bang Weekend” link:

Big Bang Weekend - July 3 - 7

On Stage celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Free concerts begin at 10:30 a.m.
at the City Hall Concert Pavilion. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a picnic.

A parking garage is located across the street from pavilion.

 

Thursday, July 3, 2008 - 10:30 a.m. * City Hall Concert Pavillion Mr. Ray Mr. Ray brings his brand of cool, hip, positive entertainment for the whole family to Gaithersburg. www.mrray.com
Friday, July 4, 2008 Independence Day Fireworks and Concert Montgomery County Fairgrounds Concert with Powerhouse - 7 p.m. Fireworks at Dusk Food available for sale Raindate — Fireworks and Concert by B2B at Fairgrounds Sat., July 5
Saturday, July 5, 2008 City Hall Concert Pavillion B2B — Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band If fireworks are postponed until July 5, this concert will take place at the Fairgrounds The main ingredient in any B2B performance is the same laid back, tropical attitude that Jimmy Buffett displays whenever he performs. So kick off your shoes and let us take you away to the little latitudes. www.b2bband.com
Sunday, July 6, 2008 - 5 p.m. City Hall Concert Pavillion The Return — The Beatles Tribute Band The exciting spirit known as “Beatlemania” is alive again in The Return — the world’s most authentic Beatles tribute band.  Music fans from every generation can experience the same thrill felt by those who saw the Beatles live in the ’60’s. www.thereturnonline.com            View a preview of The Return (use Windows Media Player)
Monday, July 7, 2008 - 10:30 a.m. * City Hall Concert Pavillion Girl Authority Girl Authority is a group of real girls with different personalities and interests coming together to sing, dance and put their own spin on girl power pop hits you know and love. www.girlauthority.com

*sponsored in part by www.tots2tweens.com

From the City’s website:

Big Bang Weekend Features Something for Everyone in Gaithersburg
Posted 6/6/2008

Staying in town this Fourth of July?  Join in some local fun as the City of Gaithersburg and 97.1 WASH-FM present a Big Bang Weekend Celebration Thursday, July 3 through Monday, July 7.  All concerts are free. 

The weekend kicks off with a children’s concert featuring the ever-popular Mr. Ray on Thursday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 South Summit Avenue in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. Mr. Ray brings a unique, brand of cool, hip, positive entertainment for the entire family to enjoy.  This concert is also sponsored in part by www.tots2tweens.com.

The festivities continue on Friday with Gaithersburg’s Fourth of July Fireworks and Concert at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street. Gates open at 5 p.m. Walk in at Chestnut or Dalamar Streets; Perry Parkway itself and the Perry Parkway entrance will be closed. No cars will be allowed in the Fairgrounds. WASH FM starts the night off at 6 p.m. with fun and games for the whole family, followed by a concert featuring Powerhouse at 7 p.m. A special City ceremony will take place at 8 p.m., with more concert to follow.  The City’s spectacular fireworks display begins at dusk. A variety of food will be sold at this event. Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages, glass containers, rollerblades, skates, bikes, pets, or fireworks of any kind will be permitted.  The rain date for the fireworks is Saturday, July 5.

Get whisked away to little latitudes on Saturday, July 5 when B2B, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, performs at the City Hall Concert Pavilion at 7 p.m.  You’ll feel like you’re on a tropical island as the band plays Jimmy Buffett favorites that will sweep you away to paradise.  Note that if the July 4 fireworks are postponed until July 5, this concert will take place at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

The exciting spirit known as “Beatlemania” is alive again in The Return, the world’s most authentic Beatles tribute band.  Enjoy this amazingly energetic concert on Sunday, July 6 at 5 p.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion.  Note that this concert was originally scheduled for May 31 but was cancelled due to inclement weather that day. 

One more exciting concert rounds out Big Bang Weekend.  Girl Authority, a group of real girls with different personalities and interests, come together to sing, dance and put their own spin on girl power hits when they perform on Monday, July 7 at 10:30 a.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion.  This concert is sponsored in part by www.tots2tweens.com.

Click on the links below for more information or call 301-258-6350 or email parksrec@gaithersburgmd.gov.

• Big Band Weekend Events
  

• On Stage Summer Concert Series

Update: As of 2:45 this afternoon, the weather has begun to destabilize. From Alert Montgomery via Altert Gaithersburg:

The National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO WATCH for Montgomery County effective immediately. Thunderstorms have formed West of the County, and are rapidly intensifying and moving East. Atmospheric conditions are favorable for tornadic development in some of these storms. Lightning, heavy rain, and hail are also possible.

THOSE WITH OUTDOOR PLANS THIS EVENING SHOULD KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKIES AND REMAIN ALERT FOR THREATENING WEATHER. LIGHTNING IS THE NUMBER ONE WEATHER KILLER IN THE US. RESIDENTS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR ADDITIONAL WARNINGS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION!!!

Be prepared. Tornadoes can form from severe thunderstorms with little or no advanced warning. Know your safe room in your home, at school, and at work. If driving and a tornado is spotted, leave your car immediately and move to shelter or a low lying area. Do not use highway overpasses as shelters. Remain alert for the issuance of warnings.

SKYWARN activation has been requested and spotters are asked to relay any damage reports to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service.

AL

According to the National Weather Service forcast as of 11:00 am today, it should be a typical 4th, warm with a chance of thunderstorms:

Independence Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind between 14 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind between 13 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

From the City’s website:

Bring a blanket, bring a picnic and bring the whole family to enjoy the City of Gaithersburg Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday, July 4. Gates to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds open at 5 p.m., and the folks from 97.1 WASH-FM will be on hand with some fun pre-concert games and activities at 6 p.m. A rollicking concert featuring the ever-popular band, Retrospect, starts at 7 p.m., followed by a few brief remarks from the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council. The exciting fireworks display begins at dusk.

Walk in at Chestnut or Dalamar Streets; the Perry Parkway entrance to the Fairgrounds will be closed. No cars will be allowed in the Fairgrounds.

Food will be sold at the celebration. Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages, glass containers, rollerblades, skates, bikes, pets, or fireworks of any kind will be permitted.

In the event of rain, the fireworks only will be held on Thursday, July 5. The Montgomery County Fairgrounds is located at 16 Chestnut Street in Gaithersburg. For information please call 301-258-6350 or parksrec@gaithersburgmd.gov.

I noticed in this week’s myGaithersburg email, the item up at the top:

NOTICE: A special event permit has been issued for a private event at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center on Saturday, Sept. 30. The event will include fireworks starting at 8 p.m. A City fire marshal will be onsite during the display.

Checking with the Fairgounds website, I find they’re listing two events for tomorrow night. One is the City of Gaithersburg Crab Feast & Karaoke event (see the City’s announcement for more information), while the other is Diwali Mela 2006: Festival of Lights (Deepavali), sponsered by the Association of United Hindu & Jain Temples of Metropolitan Washington, DC. It is in fact the latter which mentions fireworks, although I’m guessing you’ll be able to see them from either event. The Hindu festival will be on the Perry Parkway end, while the Crabs & Karaoke will be at the Chestnut Street end.

The City’s description of the Crab Feast says:

The entire community is invited to enjoy crabs and BBQ as the City of Gaithersburg hosts its Crab Feast & Karaoke Night on Saturday, September 30 at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center, 16 Chestnut Street in Gaithersburg.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the buffet will be available at 6 p.m. Catered by Red Hot & Blue, the buffet features pulled pork and chicken, baked beans, potato salad, and desserts. Crabs will be served from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Music and Karaoke will run from 6 to 10 p.m.

Admission is $35 for City of Gaithersburg residents and $39 for nonresidents. Children 10 and under will be admitted for half price. Groups of 10 or more will receive a discount of $2 per ticket. Beverages will be available for an additional fee. Ticket sales are limited, so early purchase is recommended. Tickets are available now and can be purchased at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue. For more information please contact 301-258-6350 or parksrec@gaithersburgmd.gov.

While the Hindu Festival’s description says:

Association of United Hindu and Jain Temples of Washington Metro Area
invites you to celebrate the Festival of Lights (Deepavali)

Saturday, September 30, 2006

12:00 Noon - 10:00 PM

Free Admission, Free Parking
Shree Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi Pooja
Grand Cultural Program and Spectacular Fireworks
Gala Festival, Featuring Indian Food, Shops for Fashion Clothing and Jewelry, Audio/Video Cassettes, Cosmetics,
Books and Children’s Entertainment at
Montgomery County Agricultural Center (Fairgrounds)
16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (301) 926-3100

Indian food or Crabs? That’s a tough choice. Karaoke, I could do without. Maybe the best plan is lunch at the Hindu festival, dinner at the Crab Feast, and then back to the Hindu festival for the best seats for the fireworks…

Of course, I doubt many of the Jains will be using this strategy…