Montgomery News

GAITHERSBURG, Md. Celebrate America’s independence with friends and family at SummerFest, Gaithersburg’s illuminating summer festival on the expansive grounds of Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. The free event takes place on Saturday, July 1, 2023, from 6 to 11:30 p.m. and features live music, food trucks and local breweries, and family-friendly activities, leading up to a spectacular fireworks display and SummerGlo After Party.

SummerFest kicks off at 6 p.m. with Attraction, one of DC’s top dance bands. Enjoy delicious offerings from food and local craft beverage vendors, including Saints Row Brewing, True Respite Brewing Company, Two Story Chimney Ciderworks, and Waredaca Brewing Company. ATMs will be available onsite. The air conditioned Activity Center will serve as a comfort station with indoor bathrooms and space to relax up until 9 p.m.

At approximately 9:25 p.m., a spectacular fireworks display will light up the night with bursts of amazing colors and styles that launch up to 500 feet. Bohrer Park is the best place to watch them, but there are several viewing options in surrounding locations. A map identifying best viewing spots is available here.

Wait out the traffic after the fireworks and stay for the SummerGlo After Party. Attraction will give an encore performance while LED hoopers, jugglers, and stilt walkers entertain the crowd. The playground will be fully lit, and you can purchase glow-in-the dark merchandise to be part of the fun.

Guests are welcome to bring their own food and blankets to enjoy a picnic during the event, or purchase a meal and treats from onsite vendors and food trucks. Coolers are allowed, but, for safety reasons, personal grills, outside alcoholic beverages, glass containers, weapons (real or facsimile), and fireworks of any kind (including sparklers) are strictly prohibited. We do not recommend bringing pets due to crowd and noise issues. If brought, guests must leash pets. We will confine skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, and bikes to the Skate Park. The City does not permit smoking and vaping in public spaces.

Limited parking is available onsite. We recommend that those who park onsite stay and enjoy the SummerGlo After Party, as we anticipate significant traffic delays following the fireworks display. Bohrer Park is within a ¼- mile walk of Olde Towne, Gaithersburg, where there is free parking in a variety of lots and in the parking garage. A parking map is available here.

The Gaithersburg Police Department is planning lane reductions along Route 355 adjacent to Bohrer Park and there will be a change in traffic patterns during the event. Cars will not be allowed to cross over or turn left onto Route 355 between Cedar and Central Avenues. Plan your route accordingly. If you are not attending the festival, please take alternate routes to avoid the area completely.

Crossing guards will be stationed along Route 355 at the intersections of South Summit Avenue, Education Boulevard, and Deer Park Road. There will be many pedestrians in the area; please use caution. To ensure pedestrian safety, Summit Avenue between Hutton Street and South Frederick Avenue will close to vehicles at 5 p.m.

Please do not stop your vehicle on Route 355 to watch the fireworks display. You will be ticketed, and if you are not with your vehicle, it will be towed.

SummerFest is sponsored by Wawa, US Army, Chick-fil-A of Gaithersburg, and The Maryland State Arts Council.

Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm is the perfect setting for an all-day family outing. It’s home to the Gaithersburg Water Park, Skate Park and Miniature Golf Course, plus walking paths, a playground and ponds. The Water Park and Miniature Golf Course open at 11 a.m. and the Skate Park opens at noon. Note that the Water Park will be open for the exclusive use of City residents and aquatics members only on July 1. There are entrance fees for the Water Park and Miniature Golf Course.

If the fireworks are canceled due to inclement weather, the fireworks ONLY will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 2. There will be no fireworks on July 4. Check the City’s website regularly for updates at www.gaithersburgmd.gov and follow us @GaithersburgEvents on Facebook and @GburgMD on Facebook and Twitter. Call 301-258-6350 for more information.

Original source can be found here.