Where to watch 4th of July fireworks in Delaware, and tips on taking photos
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story included an incorrect date for Ocean City, Maryland's festivities. The date will be Thursday, July 4.
Time to plan where you can enjoy Fourth of July fireworks in and around Delaware, and how to memorialize the celebration with stunning photos.
Below is a guide where you can ring in the Fourth of July in Delaware and Maryland, along with tips on taking lovely fireworks photos.
How do I take good photos of fireworks on my phone?
Being able to manually control your camera settings on your phone is huge. There are 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 "DSLR camera" in your phone app store.
Controlling those three phone features, which are common in professional DSLR and mirrorless cameras, will help you adjust the amount of light you can shoot with.
A good place to start in settings is to use ISO 100, f/11 and a shutter speed of 1/2 seconds, according to National Geographic.
It's important to keep your ISO low to capture the dark sky and avoid taking grainy photos. Using a tripod for your phone is also helpful because it'll let you to take stable images while shooting with a slow shutter speed.
Make sure your battery is charged up and give it a whirl this Fourth of July. At the very least, your photos should look halfway better than last year!
Millsboro
If you can't wait until the Fourth of July to celebrate, you can have an early blast 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 6-9 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Visit millsborochamber.com or (302) 934-6777
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Long Neck
Party vibes will be underway at Paradise Grill in Long Neck where guests will celebrate the launch of fireworks at 8 p.m. on July 3.
Paradise Grill (27344 Bay Road, Long Neck) at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. Visit paradisegrillde.com or (302) 945-4500.
Wilmington
Delaware's largest city will do it up this Fourth of July with family activities and live performances in Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, including tours on the Kalmar Nyckel ship, starting at 4 p.m. Around 9:30 p.m., fireworks begin.
Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington) from 4 to about 10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit cityfestwilm.com or (302) 576-2100.
Middletown
The good times will roll at Silver Lake Park, which opens at 6 p.m. The fireworks are launching sometime between 9 and 9:30 p.m. The rain date is Friday, July 5. No disguises, backpacks, pets, bikes or skateboards will be allowed in the park during this patriotic event, according to the town of Middletown's website.
Silver Lake Park (200 E. Cochran St., Middletown) from 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit middletown.delaware.gov or (302) 378-2711.
Clayton-Smyrna
The Smyrna-Clayton July 4th Foundation is revved up for its Independence Day parade starting at 9:30 a.m., down Main Street in Clayton on Thursday, July 4. Fireworks are scheduled at dusk across from Smyrna High School.
The parade is in downtown Clayton at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Fireworks start at dusk across from Smyrna High School on Duck Creek Parkway in Smyrna. Visit The Smyrna/Clayton July 4th Foundation on Facebook or (302) 653-6235.
Hockessin
Uncle Sam vibes will take over Hockessin's Independence Day celebration, featuring festivities such as a beer garden, food trucks and live music.
Around 8 a.m., relay races will begin, organizers said. Starting at 3 p.m., the parade starts at Old Lancaster Pike and heads down to Valley Road.
At dusk, the fireworks launch. The main viewing area to see the display is Swift Park, Piedmont baseball fields, Hockessin Library and Artesian soccer fields.
Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, starting at 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 kids' games on Second Street.
Beginning at 1:30 p.m., the Lewes Independence Boat Parade kicks off, with participants departing from Roosevelt Inlet, opposite the Coast Guard Station. They'll make their way to the judges' reviewing stand at Fisherman's Wharf at 2 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m., all boat participants are invited to attend the Awards Ceremony on the deck of the Lightship Overfalls. To be eligible for a prize, boats must be registered before 10 a.m. on July 4. (See Lewes Chamber of Commerce's website to learn more about registration forms.)
The good times will keep rolling at the colorful Doo-Dah Parade, starting near Lloyd’s Market on Savannah Road and winding its way down Kings Highway to Second Street and ending on Savannah Road, looping back toward Lloyds.
The night finally gets capped off with fireworks, launched from a barge off Savannah Beach at dusk.
Festivities will be held in downtown Lewes, near Second Street, from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit leweschamber.com or (302) 645-8073.
Laurel
A packed day of fun will be on tap in Janosik Park, including food and craft vendors, live music and more starting at 2 p.m.
From 4 to 8 p.m., the car show will be held.
At 7 p.m., the parade begins on Evergreen Drive and travels to Central Ave., before ending at Delaware Avenue.
Fireworks begin at dusk.
Janosik Park (201-299 Front St., Laurel) from 2 to about 10 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit townoflaurel.net or (302) 875-2277.
Dover
The Capital City will ring in America's birthday with a parade, music, vendors, fireworks and more. The parade starts at 6 p.m. on Hazel Street, heads south on State Street, and ends at Water Street. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.
Event will be held near The Green ( 25 The Green, Dover) and Legislative Hall (411 Legislative Ave., Dover) from 10 a.m. to around 10 p.m., 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.
Athletic Complex (605 S. College Ave., Newark) from 6 to 10 p.m., Thursday, July 4. Visit newarkde.gov/calendar or (302) 366-7000.
Bethany Beach
Beginning at noon, the parade will travel to 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/groups performing in the parade include The Honeycombs, 1st Delaware Regiment, The Dixie Express, 1st State Detachment Marine Corps League, 287th Army National Guard Band, Delaware Highlanders and Tidewater Brass Band.
Starting at 7:15 p.m., the awards ceremony will be held.
At 7:30 p.m., The 1974 band (performing classic pop cover songs from the '70s, focusing on one-hit wonders) will play the Bethany Beach Bandstand.
Fireworks are scheduled to start at dusk.
Near Bethany Beach Bandstand on Thursday, July 4; events run from noon until after dusk. Visit townofbethanybeach.com or (302) 539-8011.
Millsboro
Lots of family fun is on tap at The Clubhouse at Baywood in Millsboro, including face painting, cotton candy, non-alcoholic slushies and much more. There will be a bunch of food options (from tacos to burgers and ice cream), live music and fireworks at 9 p.m. on July 4. Feel free to bring a chair or blanket and relax.
The Clubhouse at Baywood (32267 Clubhouse Way, Millsboro) from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit baywoodclubhouse.com or (302) 947-9225
Salisbury, Maryland
Get comfortable and bring a lawn chair and blanket to witness 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 start at 9:15 p.m. Visit redwhiteboomsalisbury.org or (410) 726-5194.
Ocean City, Maryland
Folks will party on the nation’s birthday with music and festivities during two simultaneous firework displays in Ocean City, Maryland at the following locations: Northside Park (125th St., Ocean City, Maryland) and Caroline Street. Music starts at 8 p.m. at both events, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Visit oceancitymd.gov or (410) 289-2800.
Dewey Beach
Highway One is back to blast off with fireworks launching from a barge in Rehoboth Bay at dusk. The fireworks can be seen from the Rusty Rudder, where live music will be playing all day, starting at 2 p.m.
Rusty Rudder (113 Dickinson Ave., Dewey Beach). Fireworks start at dusk on Thursday, July 4. Visit rustyrudder.com.
Rehoboth Beach
Keep in mind, Rehoboth Beach's fireworks display is happening over the weekend. People will be able to see the sparks fly from Rehoboth's beach and 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. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., vehicles won't be able to cross Rehoboth Avenue at the circle. Rehoboth Avenue eastbound and Church Street from Route 1 will be closed at 8 p.m., according to organizers.
Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk (8 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach). Fireworks start around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6. Visit cityofrehoboth.com or (302) 227-6181.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: July 4th fireworks near me: The best Fourth of July spots in Delaware
