Park Hosts Major Independence Day Event

The park held its 24th annual “Salute to Independence” on the Fourth of July. The event annually draws over 20,000 visitors and exceeded that number this year – park grounds were filled by the beginning of the concert and parking areas not used in several years were completely filled. The concert by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra began at 7:30 p.m. and concluded with the Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” accompanied by three howitzers from the 110th Field Artillery, Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and a half-hour fireworks display by Bay Fireworks. There were no major incidents and only a few EMS responses. The fireworks ended around 10:15 p.m. and traffic and parking areas were cleared by 11:30 p.m. Over 125 National Park Service employees, volunteers and staff from assisting agencies managed the event. Fifteen staff from several other NCR and NER parks supported law enforcement and traffic and parking operations, including Chesapeake and Ohio Canal’s canine explosive expert, “Samson,” who helped patrol the crowd, parking and stage areas. Additionally event support and logistics were provided by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Maryland State Highway Administration, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hagerstown REACT, Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company, Sharpsburg Area Emergency Medical Services.