ANNAPOLIS — Downtown Annapolis is the place to ring in the New Year. The City of Annapolis has a wide range of activities and entertainment for the public to participate in and celebrate with friends and family.
There will be two fireworks events. The early fireworks are family friendly at the Wheems-Whalen ball fields behind Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. Free parking for this event is available at Park Place starting at 2 p.m. with a free shuttle to and from the event. The parking lot at the fields are reserved for handicap parking only.
Starting at 3 p.m. the fields fill up with a wide range of kid friendly activities with moon bounces, obstacle courses, face painting, food truck, live music and more. The nearby Chesapeake Children’s Museum will also be open. At 5:30 p.m. the fireworks display will entertain the crowds.
The City Dock events under the big heated tent start at 8 p.m. There will be free live entertainment from Scott Hymes’ Radio City Band with dancing for all ages and a special close up fireworks display at midnight to ring in the New Year. Both of these activities are alcohol free and open to all ages. The public may watch the fireworks from anywhere around the City Dock or from the water on Watermarks New Year’s Eve Cruise.
For Sports Fans the day starts early with the Military Bowl Parade, which starts at 9 a.m. Lead by the Clydesdale horses, the parade goes up Main Street, around Church Circle, the first block of West Street to Calvert Street, Rowe Blvd and the stadium. The Military Bowl Game kicks off at noon at the stadium. After the football game, the public is encouraged to stay parked at the stadium and take the free shuttle to downtown Annapolis. Basketball fans will also be able to catch a game at Alumni Hall at 6 p.m. of Navy vs. St. Joseph’s- Women’s Basketball
Other options during the afternoon include Holiday Break Art Camp at ArtFarmon West Street; Jolly Express Cruises departing from City Dock; and the 1820’s Dutch American Christmas with the Lookerman Family exhibit at Hammond Harwood House on Maryland Avenue.
For more information about downtown Annapolis, visit: www.visitannapolis.org/events/6510.