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Where to see fireworks and parades this July 4

By WTOP Staff

WASHINGTON — Pick from dozens of picnics, parades and fireworks planned this July 4. Here’s a sampling of what’s going on around the region:

D.C.

National Mall
Fireworks will be launched from the Reflecting Pool at 9:10 p.m. The display will last 17 minutes.

Viewing areas near the mall include: U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall between 14th Street and 3rd Street*, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The White House Ellipse, West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park, Anacostia Park, U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Virginia) and George Washington Memorial Parkway (Virginia).

Palisades Fourth of July Parade
10 a.m. – parade, starting at Whitehaven Parkway via Foxhall Road

Maryland

Annapolis
Annapolis Parade
6:30 to 8 p.m.
July 4 Step-off at Amos Garrett and West Street

U.S. Naval Academy Band concert
8 to 9:30 p.m., after parade
Susan C. Campbell Park – City Dock

Fireworks in Historic Annapolis
8 to 9 p.m.
July 4
Annapolis Harbor

Signer’s Home & Garden tour
Tours offered at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Garden admission free; house tour $5 (free for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County residents)
July 4
William Paca House and Garden

Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
July 4
William Paca Garden

College Park
Food, music, and fireworks
The Nightlife Band performs at 7 p.m.
Fireworks Extravaganza at about 9 p.m. (30-40 minute program)
July 4 (rain date: July 5)
University of Maryland at College Park – Lot 1 (in case of storm: Cole Field House)

Germantown
Germantown Glory Fireworks
About 9:15 p.m.
July 4 Maryland SoccerPlex, South Germantown Recreational Park

Kensington
Mid-County Sparkles
About 9:15 p.m.
July 4 Albert Einstein High School

Frederick
Frederick’s 4th
Entertainment, including music, noon until dusk
Fireworks at dusk July 4
Baker Park

Laurel
Laurel 4th of July Celebration
Entertainment 9 a.m. through the evening
Parade 11 a.m.
Fireworks (from the lake) 9:15 p.m.
July 5
Gude Park, Granville Gude Park Field

Gaithersburg
Food, music, family activities, and fireworks
5 p.m.
July 4
Montgomery County Fairgrounds

Solomons Island
Solomons Business Association 4th of July 2014
About 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. (after dusk) – fireworks over the Patuxent River.
July 4 (rain date: July 5)
Solomons

Takoma Park
Independ ence Day Celebration
10 a.m. – parade.
Route: Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues, Carroll Avenue, Maple Avenue, Ritchie Avenue.
7 p.m. – entertainment
9:30 p.m. – fireworks by Bay Fireworks
July 4 (rain date for fireworks: first clear evening)
Takoma Park Middle School

Greenbelt
July Fourth Fanfare
Community Drum Circle at 5:30 p.m.
Greenbelt Concert Band at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks at 9 p.m.
July 4
Buddy Attick Lake Park
Crescent Road

Howard County
July 4th Celebration: Festival and Fireworks
Entertainment 5 p.m.
Fireworks at dusk
July 4, rain date July 5
Columbia Lakefront

Baltimore
Ports America Chesapeake 4th of July Celebration
Entertainment: Top-40 band Thunderball at 4 p.m.
U.S. Naval Academy Band Electric Brigade at 7 p.m.
Fireworks show, choreographed to festive music – Inner Habor at 9:30 p.m.
Downtown Baltimore

Bowie
Fourth of July
7 to 10 p.m.
Fireworks at about 9:15 p.m.
July 4
Prince George’s Stadium

Montgomery Village
MVF Independence Day Parade
Arrive by 9 a.m. at Apple Ridge ball field parking lot
9:15 a.m. – judging
10 a.m. – parade
End of parade route: Watkins Mill High School

Suitland
Morningside Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks
For more information, call 301-736-2300
11 a.m. – parade – starting at 6500 Suitland Rd. at Morningside Fire Department
At dusk – fireworks at Morningside Municipal Center at 6901 Main Street
July 4

Upper Marlboro
6 Flags Fourth of July Festival
Live music, games and fireworks July 4, 5 and 6
Six Flags

Westminster
Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration
11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. – games, craft stalls, onstage entertainment and fireworks
Admission: $5/person or $10/family until 5 p.m.
After 5 p.m.: $5 parking fee Carroll County Farm Museum

Virginia

Falls Church
July 4th Celebration
Live music at 7 p.m.
Fireworks at 9:20 p.m.
July 4 (rain date: July 5) George Mason High School
7124 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church

Arlington
Parade
Begins one block up from Beach 3 at Stoneybrae
Parade will begin forming at about 10:40 a.m. and start at 11 a.m.
July 4
Lake Barcroft

Fairfax
City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade
10 a.m. to noon – rain or shine

Reston
Evening Show and Fireworks
7 p.m. – doors
9:30 p.m. – fireworks
Fairfax High School

Fireworks, food and family fun
7 a.m. – park opens
4 to 6 p.m. – puppet shows
9:15 p.m. – fireworks with performance of U.S. Army Field Band
July 4
Lake Fairfax Park

Manassas Celebrate America
3 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Rides, food and live entertainment
7 p.m. – Nitehawks play on Manassas Museum Lawn
9:15 p.m. – fireworks
Old Town Manassas

Middleburg 4th of July Celebration, including food, games, Army band, DJ and more
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – swimming at the pool
5:30 p.m. – children’s parade line-up
6 p.m. – parade begins
At dark – fireworks
July 4 (rain date for fireworks: July 5)
Middleburg Community Center

Sterling
Ol’ Time 4th of July Celebration
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
July 4
Claude Moore Park

Leesburg
Town of Leesburg Independence Day
10 a.m. – parade
6 p.m. – entertainment
9:30 p.m. – fireworks
July 4
Ida Lee Park

Vienna
July 4th Festival and Fireworks Show
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – antique car show, arts and crafts, games for kids, Vienna Community Band
9:15 p.m. – fireworks at Southside Park
July 4
Vienna Community Center

Get more information about Fourth of July fun in the WTOP live blog.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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