Vernon's Annual Fireworks Display on Tap for Thursday

Downtown Rockville will once again offer prime viewing of the “July in the Sky” fireworks display on Thursday, June 30. 

The fireworks are sponsored by the Town of Vernon’s Parks and Recreation Department, which will coordinate events at Fox Hill Tower and Henry Park, while the Rockville Community Alliance will coordinate viewing activities in downtown Rockville and Central Park, along Park Place, East Main Street, West Main Street and St. Bernard Terrace. 

Activities in downtown will begin at 6 p.m., kicking off with Second Helping, an acoustic duo that plays music from the ‘60s and ‘70s and some country.

The fun and activities continue to the end of the fireworks display, which should be approximately 10 p.m. This includes the ever-popular “Push, Pull, Pedal, Patriotic Parade” which traditionally features children, teens and adults riding, pushing, pulling or rolling anything that can move down the street and can be decorated to display a patriotic theme. Participants can appear in costume in addition to decorating their tricycles, bicycles, unicycles, wagons, carts, carriages, scooters, skateboards or roller skates.

The procession will organize in front of Bank of America at about 6:15 p.m., with decorating assistance being provided by volunteers prior to the start of the parade at 7:30 p.m. “Uncle Sam” will help to lead the parade along East Main Street, through the downtown area, to Union and Elm streets, and then back again.
Ribbons and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place winners in each of several age categories.

The evening will begin with a stirring rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” and continue until “show time” with another musical act, the Arizona Maid Band.  Back by popular demand, July in the Sky, downtown, will feature the  local favorite, known for playing southern rock hits of the past 40 years.

They will play from 8 p.m. until the fireworks begin, at around 9:40 p.m.

The view from anywhere in downtown Rockville is spectacular - the fireworks rise high into the sky above the Fox Hill Tower.  Last year’s fireworks were incredible and this year’s show promises to be just as grand.

From 6 p.m. on, there is a festive feeling among the nearly 3,000 people gathered in downtown Rockville. Between the various entertainments, the food, enjoying the parade and music, watching the fireworks (not to mention the people- watching beforehand), boredom is not a possibility.

Most local restaurants and merchants will be open during the festival activities, and each will have special menus and sale items to offer.

Russ’s Time Rock & Roll Diner will be serving hot dogs, BBQ beef and BBQ chicken sandwiches, lemonade, iced tea and coffee. Showcased at the Rock & Roll Diner will be baked goodies by Lode Towne Bakery. Great pizza dishes and various sandwich items will be available at Pizza Palace and Antonio’s Pizzeria, and a variety of snacks and treats can be purchased from Rockville Corner Market and the Buck or Two Convenience Store.

There will also be selected vendor booths selling specialty food items such as fried dough, popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy and other savory treats to commemorate this special celebration.

Come early, there will be plenty of parking. Pick out a spot for viewing the fireworks, and then partake of some of the many amusements available: bounce houses, slides, dunk tank, games (maybe even an eating contest).  The Vernon Fire Dept. is sponsoring a fire truck slide as a fundraiser for a local family.
Throughout the entire evening, contributions will be accepted by RCA volunteers to help underwrite the cost of the activities.

Henry Park will feature giant inflatable toys, dance performances, children’s entertainment, a DJ, food and drink concessions, glow toys sold by the Vernon Teen Center, and ace Painting by Laurie Hessler.

Fireworks will start at 9:40 p.m. from the Fox Hill Tower in Henry Park.

Submitted by the Rockville Community Alliance and the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department.