FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (July 12, 2012) -- Soaring temperatures did not deter this crowd.
Throughout Fort Meade's Fourth of July celebration, thousands of visitors streamed through the gate with picnic coolers, lawn chairs and extended families.
Many arrived early, staking out prime viewing sites on McGlachlin Parade Field for the elaborate fireworks display that started after 9:30 p.m.
"We're here since 12:30," said Maryanne Ferguson, a Pasadena teacher who attended with nine family members. "We wanted a good spot."
Ferguson chatted with her aunt, Betty Urban of Gambrills, beside the canopy that shaded Urban's 10-year-old granddaughter, Hannah Johns, and coolers containing lunch and dinner.
"I've been coming for at least 18 years, since my son Michael was born and we lived in Seven Oaks," Ferguson said. "The activities are free, the food is reasonably priced and the fireworks, of course, are the best."
Throughout the day, an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people attended the annual event organized by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. The festival featured children's attractions, carnival games, a radio DJ and band, novelty and food vendors, giveaways and a 30-minute fireworks display.
"It's awesome," Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein said of the festivities. "It's a great opportunity to bring together family, friends and the entire Team Meade community - those inside and outside the fence line - together on post. I'm very proud of Team Meade and our staff in putting this together and the entire community sharing in the patriotism on the Fourth of July."
Residents and visitors relaxed on lawn chairs and blankets, some sipping tall tropical fruit drinks, while children took a spin on the Mind Bender and mini-Ferris wheel, and teens danced to reggae music and Michael Jackson.
"It gets better every year," said Sgt. Candice Westbrook of Potomac Place, who has attended for nine years.
A noncommissioned officer in charge of organ transplants at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Westbrook was joined by her three children: Chante, 19, Joseph, 17, and Nathan, 2, and their cousin Rhonda Battle of Pittsburgh.
"It's crazy," Chante said of all the free activities offered.
The Fort Meade Museum, which opened during the day, fired a Civil War-era cannon every hour.
Radio station Mix 106.5 broadcasted live from noon to 6 p.m. near the gazebo while its crew hosted contests with prizes.
Dunkin' Donuts offered free samples of iced coffee and Oreo Coolatas. Old Navy distributed flip-flops.
Living Wellness Chiropractic in Columbia provided free massages by Dr. Harry Derr. "This is part of our community outreach, and we are also offering the opportunity for a free chiropractic checkup," Derr said. "This is our way of giving back."
People lined up to purchase food and beverages from vendors clustered along Cooper Avenue. Amid the competing aromas of barbecue, kettle popcorn, chicken teriyaki and cotton candy, vendors also sold Italian ices, shaved ice, frozen drinks, gourmet coffee, fresh fruit cups, hot dogs and corn dogs.
Kiosks featured yo-yo balloons and tarot card and palm reader Rita Ritsick of Odenton, who has been dispensing fortunes at the event for 15 years.
Children had their face painted and hair sprayed in multicolors. They cooled off in misting tents, tested their skill at carnival games and on the five inflatables with different themes including an obstacle course, bounce castle and basketball challenge.
"I like the slides; they're super fun," said 5-year-old Sam Boggs, of Glen Burnie, who attended with his parents, Steve and Sharon Boggs.
At the inflatable football tug-of-war, two people of the same size were paired up and tethered to a rope, then pulled against each other to throw a football across the goal line.
"Being close to 50, I found it quite difficult going against a 17-year-old [my victorious son]," said Eric York, who works at the National Security Agency.
This was the first time that the Severn resident, his wife and four children attended the daylong festival. "It's really nice," York said. "We're looking forward to the fireworks. We brought tools to camp out."
Dance fever set in when the New Monopoly band took the stage at 5:30 p.m., performing four hours of pop favorites ranging from Motown and The Monkeys to the Bee Gees and Cee Lo Green.
"The music is all different genres and eras," said Corrine Mitchell of Randallstown, who danced with her 5-year-old niece Aliyah.
A student dancer at the Baltimore School for Performing Arts, Corrine joined other teens in a dance circle as younger children danced in the middle. They later formed an impromptu conga line to Arrow's "Hot, Hot, Hot."
"The band is really good," said Corrine, daughter of retired Lt. Col. Lee Mitchell. "They interact with the crowd, the kids."
Ureka Nogales danced with her husband, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Nogales of Navy Information Operations Command Maryland, while their sons Robert, 9, and Royce, 6, chomped on pink cotton candy.
"The band keeps an energy and takes requests," said Nogales, a ballroom dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Severna Park. "They're mixing it up and that's good."
Once darkness fell over Fort Meade, all heads tilted upward as explosions of color and patterns lit the sky.
"Phenomenal," said Ben Smith, who works in IT security for the Federal Drug Administration, after the show. "I really enjoyed them."
This was the first time that the Jessup resident and his girlfriend, Jen Davis, attended Fort Meade's Fourth of July celebration.
"It seemed the military would be more special than the others," Davis said. "I really appreciated it."
Social Sharing