The Best Places for 4th of July in Delaware

Lina Portman5 days ago

0 6 minutes read

It's time to plan where you can enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks in and around Delaware, and how to commemorate the celebration with great photos.

Below is a guide to where you can celebrate the 4th of July in Delaware and Maryland, as well as tips for taking great fireworks photos.

How do I take good pictures of fireworks on my phone?

Being able to manually control your camera settings on your phone is huge. There are both paid and free apps that allow you to control your phone’s aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. You can find one of these apps by searching for “DSLR camera” in your phone’s app store.

Controlling these three phone features, common in professional DSLR and mirrorless cameras, will help you adjust the amount of light you can take photos with.

A good starting point in settings is to use ISO 100, f/11, and a shutter speed of 1/2 second, according to National Geographic.

It's important to keep the ISO low to capture dark skies and avoid taking grainy photos. Using a tripod for your phone is also helpful because it will allow you to take steady images while shooting with a slow shutter speed.

Make sure your battery is charged and give it a try this 4th of July. At the very least, your photos should be half as good as they were last year!

Millsboro

If you can't wait until July 4 to celebrate, you can get in on the fun early in Millsboro on June 29, with food trucks, live music and fireworks. The rain date is June 30.

Millsboro Little League (262 W. State St., Millsboro) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Visit millsborochamber.com or (302) 934-6777

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Long neck

The festive atmosphere will be in full swing at Paradise Grill in Long Neck where guests will celebrate the fireworks launch at 8 p.m. on July 3.

Paradise Grill (27344 Bay Road, Long Neck) at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3. Visit paradisegrillde.com or (302) 945-4500.

Wilmington

Delaware's largest city will do so this July 4 with family activities and performances at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, including tours on the Kalmar Nyckel ship, starting at 4 p.m. Around 9:30 p.m., the fireworks begin.

Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington) from 4 p.m. to approximately 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. Visit cityfestwilm.com or (302) 576-2100.

Middletown

The fun will be at Silver Lake Park, which opens at 6 p.m. Fireworks will be from 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The rain date is Friday, July 5. No costumes, backpacks, pets, bikes or skateboards will be allowed in the park during this patriotic event, according to the City of Middletown website.

Silver Lake Park (200 E. Cochran St., Middletown) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit middletown.delaware.gov or (302) 378-2711.

Clayton-Smyrna

The Smyrna-Clayton Fourth of July Foundation is ready for its Independence Day Parade which will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Main Street in Clayton on Thursday, July 4th. Fireworks are planned at dusk in front of Smyrna High School.

The parade is In The fireworks will take place in downtown Clayton at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 4th. The fireworks will begin at dusk in front of Smyrna High School on Duck Creek Parkway in Smyrna. Visit the Smyrna/Clayton Fourth of July Foundation on Facebook or at (302) 653-6235.

Hockessin

Uncle Sam vibes will take over Hockessin's Independence Day celebration, with festivities including a beer garden, food trucks and live music.

Around 8 a.m., the relay races will begin, organizers said. Starting at 3 p.m., the parade begins at Old Lancaster Pike and heads toward Valley Road.

At dusk, the fireworks are launched. The main viewing area to see the display is Swift Park, the Piedmont baseball fields, the Hockessin Library, and the Artesian football fields.

Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, from 8 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit hockessin4th.org or (302) 239-6900.

Lewes

Starting at 9 a.m., Lewes will continue its tradition of hosting old-school children's games on Second Street.

Starting at 1:30 p.m., the Lewes Independence Boat Parade begins, with participants departing from Roosevelt Inlet, across from the Coast Guard Station. They will travel to the judges' review stand at Fisherman's Wharf at 2 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m., all participating boats are invited to attend the awards ceremony on the deck of Lightship Overfalls. To be eligible for a prize, boats must be entered by 10 a.m. on July 4. (See the Lewes Chamber of Commerce website for information on registration forms.)

The good times will keep rolling in the colorful Doo-Dah Parade, starting near Lloyd's Market on Savannah Road and winding along Kings Highway to Second Street and ending on Savannah Road, looping back to Lloyds.

The night finally ends with fireworks launched from a barge off the coast of Savannah Beach at dusk.

The festivities will take place in downtown Lewes near Second Street from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. Visit leweschamber.com or (302) 645-8073.

Laurel

A fun-filled day of entertainment awaits at Janosik Park, with food and craft vendors, live music and more starting at 2 p.m.

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the car show will take place.

At 7 p.m., the parade begins on Evergreen Drive and heads toward Central Ave., before ending at Delaware Avenue.

The fireworks start at dusk.

Janosik Park (201-299 Front St., Laurel) from 2 p.m. to approximately 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. Visit townoflaurel.net or (302) 875-2277.

Dover

The capital will celebrate America's birthday with a parade, music, vendors, fireworks and more. The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Hazel Street, heads south on State Street, and ends at Water Street. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.

The event will take place near The Green (25 The Green, Dover) and Leg Hall (411 Legislative Ave., Dover) from 10 a.m. to approximately 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 4. For the full schedule, visit dover4thofjuly.com.

Newark

Entertainment, vendors and a lovely light show are happening at the University of Delaware.

Sports Complex (605 S. College Ave., Newark) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday, July 4. Visit newarkde.gov/calendar or (302) 366-7000.

Bethany Beach

Beginning at noon, the parade will head down Pennsylvania Avenue, south to Cedarwood Street, east to Atlantic Avenue, north to Ocean View Parkway to Pennsylvania Avenue and south to Central Boulevard.

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Marching bands/bands performing in the parade include The Honeycombs, 1st Delaware Regiment, Dixie Express, 1st State Detachment of the Marine Corps League, 287th Army National Guard Band, Delaware Highlanders, and Tidewater Brass Band .

The awards ceremony will take place from 7:15 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m., the band 1974 (performing classic '70s pop covers, focusing on one-hit wonders) will play at the Bethany Beach Bandstand.

The fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk.

Near the Bethany Beach Bandstand on Thursday, July 4; events run from noon until after dusk. Visit townofbethanybeach.com or (302) 539-8011.

Millsboro

There are plenty of family-friendly activities at the Clubhouse at Baywood in Millsboro, including face painting, cotton candy, slushies and more. There will be plenty of food options (from tacos to burgers to ice cream), live music and fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 4th. Feel free to bring a chair or blanket and relax.

The Baywood Clubhouse (32267 Clubhouse Way, Millsboro) from 5pm to 9pm on Thursday, July 4. Visit baywoodclubhouse.com or (302) 947-9225

Salisbury, Maryland

Sit back and bring a lawn chair and blanket to watch the 13th annual Red White and Boom erupt with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

James M. Bennett High School (300 E. College Ave., Salisbury, Maryland) on Thursday, July 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Visit redwhiteboomsalisbury.org or (410) 726-5194.

Ocean City, Maryland

People will celebrate the nation’s birthday with music and festivities at two simultaneous fireworks displays in Ocean City, Maryland at the following locations: Northside Park (125th Street, Ocean City, Maryland) and Caroline Street. Music begins at 8 p.m. at both events, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 8. Visit oceancitymd.gov or (410) 289-2800.

Dewey Beach

Highway One is back for a fireworks display launched from a barge into Rehoboth Bay at dusk. The fireworks can be seen from the Rusty Rudder, where live music will be played all day, starting at 2 p.m.

Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson Ave., Dewey Beach). Fireworks begin at dusk on Thursday, July 4. Visit rustyrudder.com.

Rehoboth Beach

Don't forget that the Rehoboth Beach fireworks will be held this weekend. People will be able to see the sparks flying off the beach and Rehoboth Boardwalk.

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At 6 p.m., road closures begin around the bandstand, and at 7 p.m. on Henlopen and Surf avenues. Starting at 7:30 p.m., vehicles will no longer be allowed to cross Rehoboth Avenue at the roundabout. Rehoboth Avenue eastbound and Church Street from Route 1 will be closed at 8 p.m., organizers said.

Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk (8 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach). The fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday July 6. Visit cityofrehoboth.com or (302) 227-6181.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar has [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

How do I take good pictures of fireworks on my phone?

Millsboro

Long neck

Wilmington

Middletown

Clayton-Smyrna

Hockessin

Lewes

Laurel

Dover

Newark

Bethany Beach

Millsboro

Salisbury, Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland

Dewey Beach

Rehoboth Beach

Lina Portman

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