Over the past 75 years, Dundalk has put on some form of celebrations for America’s Birthday. It has always been made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers who selfishly donate their time to make sure the festivities continue to get better and better each year. The first 4th of July parades had been held in Sparrows Point, starting in 1902, but these efforts stopped in 1929, with the Great Depression. In 1934 a group of citizens organized the Heritage Parade, to be held through the streets of Dundalk. That parade has continued ever since, following the same route since the 1940’s.

In 1981, management of the parade was taken over by the Optimist Club of Dundalk, Inc., with Charlie Panuska organizing the event for over twenty years. Still hosted by the Optimist Club, in 2001 the Dundalk Heritage Parade Committee was formed to oversee parade activities. Patricia Herman, a member of the Optimist Club of Dundalk, currently chairs the Heritage Parade Committee.

The parade has never been a one person accomplishment, or a short-term project, however. Funds for the parade have always come from the community, including donations, proceeds from the Heritage Fair, and money collected by the Bucket Brigade during the parade. Work to organize and produce the next parade starts almost as soon as the last parade has finished. Over the years countless volunteers have put in thousands of hours of work to make the parade a reality, building countless memories, and Dundalk’s sense of community, with it.

(credit: DRC http://www.dundalkusa.org/pub/milestone#2011_Awards)

Fireworks will be held on Wednesday, July 4.

Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under with an accompanying adult.  Tickets are sold at the front gate. For more information on the festivities, please click the links below:

Heritage Fair Information |  Parade Information |  Fireworks Information

About the Dundalk Heritage Fair Association

The Dundalk Heritage Fair is operated by The Heritage Association of Dundalk, a group of dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to ensure that the Dundalk community enjoys the greatest 4th of July celebration in the country.  Activities include a three-day fair, the largest parade in Maryland, and a fireworks show. Hundreds of volunteers donate countless hours to do everything from putting up fences to hiring entertainers to selling admission tickets, ensuring a long weekend of family fun in the most patriotic community in the world.

Thank you for all of the volunteers, sponsors, bands, vendors, and most importantly visitors that came to this year’s Dundalk Heritage Fair. We saw a crowd that was record breaking for Eddie Money and that we hadn’t seen since Marie Osmond. For a recap of the fair, please visit our Facebook page and our Flickr page.  Feel free to become a fan of either and add your own photos.

We’ll see you next year for the 2012 Dundalk Heritage Fair, parade, and fireworks!  For those interested in volunteering, please let us know for next year by contacting us.

- The Dundalk Heritage Fair Association

Eddie Money!

The 2011 Dundalk Heritage Fair will be held on July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd from noon until 10:00 pm each day.

Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under with an accompanying adult. For more information on the festivities, please click the links below:

Heritage Fair Information |  Parade Information |  Fireworks Information

About the Dundalk Heritage Fair Association

The Dundalk Heritage Fair is operated by The Heritage Association of Dundalk, a group of dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to ensure that the Dundalk community enjoys the greatest 4th of July celebration in the country.  Activities include a three-day fair, the largest parade in Maryland, and a fireworks show. Hundreds of volunteers donate countless hours to do everything from putting up fences to hiring entertainers to selling admission tickets, ensuring a long weekend of family fun in the most patriotic community in the world.