TO:                 Media

FROM:           Amanda Adolf, Special Events Intern

                        Office of Special Events, 301-600-2845

RE:                 4th of July Family Friendly Activities-Baker Park, Frederick, MD

FREDERICK'S 4^th-An Independence Day Celebration

Celebrates Fun for All

June 24, 2009, Frederick, MD - Celebrate Frederick Inc., and Frederick's 4^th-An Independence Day Celebration committee presents the 26^th annual Frederick's 4^th-An Independence Day Celebration, Saturday, July 4^th , 2009 in Baker Park, Frederick, MD. As always, patrons can expect a day chock-full of activities for the family.

            The day of fun and entertainment will begin with a Patriotic Opening Ceremony hosted by KEY 103.1 at the bandshell at Noon. The Patriotic Opening Ceremony will consist of the following:  Presentation of Colors; singing of our National Anthem; The Star Spangled Banner; Pledge of Allegiance, led by Miss Frederick 2009, Franki Trout; a welcome by Frederick City Mayor, William J. Holtzinger; a Frederick Military Family Community Covenant Signing, led by Richard Griffin, City of Frederick Economic Development; and will wrap up with a performance of Annie by the Fredericktowne Players.

            Following the exciting opening ceremony, is the Best Patriotic Dressed Competition at the bandshell commencing at 2:30 p.m. Strut your stuff in this annual contest! Winners will be selected on originality, patriotism, and use of red, white and blue. Great prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

            Adult-Ages 15 and up

            Young Adult-Ages 10 and up

Children-Ages 9 and under- NOTE: This group is not judged. All participants will receive a commemorative Frederick's 4^th ribbon.

To participate in the Best Patriotic Dressed Competition, please meet at the bandshell at 2:00 p.m.

            Kids will squeal with excitement when they enter the Frederick's 4^th KidZONE! Running from 12:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., this year's KidZONE will feature a scavenger hunt, amusements, dunk tank, KidsArt Mural, martial arts demonstrations, pony rides & petting zoo, and remote control cars!

Scavenger Hunt - Visit a Celebrate Frederick sponsor in the Kids Zone and pick up a Scavenger Hunt map (plus fun giveaways and prizes!)  Complete the hunt, turn in the map at the Gazebo Information Booth and be entered for your chance to win a Frederick's 4^th prize pack!

Amusements - Slide, twirl and climb through the Frederick's 4^th Kids Zone with tons of inflatable amusements for children of all ages!  Purchase a wrist band for unlimited rides ($10), or individual tickets ($1).

Dunk Tank - Presented by Digital Management Systems, Inc.  Dunk your favorite local celebrity!  ($1.00/3 chances.)  Partial proceeds benefit the United Way of Frederick County.

KidsArt Mural - Make your mark on Frederick's 4^th with the KidzArt Mural!  Designed especially for Frederick's 4^th, this one-of-a-kind piece of art will be displayed at other Celebrate Frederick events throughout the year.

Martial Arts Demonstrations - Strikes, kicks and throws are only some of the entertaining moves highlighted in these traditional Korean martial arts demonstrations!  Special thanks to In Ji Yong Martial Arts & Korean Martial Arts!

Pony Rides & Petting Zoo - Furry friends will be on hand for little ones to meet and greet at the Summers Farm Petting Zoo.  Or, treat your child to a pony ride ($4.00/ride.)

Remote Control Cars - You become the driver on the Hobbytown USA race track as you sample a variety of remote control cars!

Not only does the KidZONE offer all of these exciting activities but there will also be arts and crafts, face painting and more!

            Throughout the day there are also exciting activities around the entirety of Baker Park. Swing by the Frederick High School lawn to catch the Volleyball Tournament. Over 100 players annually participate in this tournament, featuring Men's and Women's doubles and recreational coed 6's. Pre-registration is required. For more information visit FREDERICK.vbc.org. Special thanks to the Frederick Volleyball Club. The tournament will run from 7:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

            After checking out the volleyball tournament head over to Culler Lake and test out your climbing skills on the Rock Climbing Wall ($, noon-dusk), or take a relaxing paddle around the lake in canoe, paddle boat or kiwi kayak ($, noon-10 p.m.). Or, cool off in the Edward P. Thomas Jr. Municipal Pool ($, 12:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.).

Don't miss the spectacular fireworks display at dusk.  Pick a seat early, because the Park fills up quickly!  Great seats can be found surrounding the swimming pool on Fleming Avenue, on the Frederick High School lawn or surrounding the Bandshell in the Carillon area.  Signs surrounding the park alert visitors where they can and cannot sit.  Also, Celebrate Frederick Inc. will be selling glow necklaces at the Information Booth locations and throughout the park beginning in the early evening. Support Frederick's 4^th by purchase a glowing souvenir for the entire family!

            The vast array of entertainment and activities for this year's celebration are sure to please any person of any age, so come out and celebrate our nation's independence with Celebrate Frederick!

            Frederick's 4^th-An Independence Day Celebration would not be possible without the generous support of our Celebrate Frederick corporate sponsors. The 2009 Spires Sponsors are Bechtel Group Foundation, Spectrum Federal Credit Union, and Weis Markets. The 2009 Carillon Sponsors are Comcast, The Plamondon Companies, Sandy Spring Bank, 99.9 WFRE, and 930 WFMD. The 2009 Bandshell Sponsors are BB&T, The Frederick News-Post and NBC25.  The 2009 Program Sponsors are Bud Light, 106.9 The Eagle, KEY 103 and Frederick Magazine. Again, the series would not be possible without their generosity.

      For more information, please call the City of Frederick Office of Special Events at 301-600-CITY (2489) or visit our website www.CelebrateFrederick.com.

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