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Hello Westminster! You can’t spell freedom without “free.”
The Fourth of July week is shaping up to be one of the busiest — and most affordable — stretches of the summer so far. We put together a full guide to Carroll County fireworks shows, parades, and celebrations, from the Manchester VFD Carnival (running all week) to the big Farm Museum show on the Fourth. That's all in the newsletter below.
But there's a lot more happening even before fireworks season officially kicks off, and much of it is free! Westminster Rec & Parks is handing out free snowballs on Locust Lane on Tuesday and free bumper boats at City Park on Wednesday. The Carroll Arts Center has Remember the Titans free this Tuesday, and RC Theatres has Dog Man for $1 on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. And the city’s free Sunday concert series launches next weekend, with free pool access included.
Let's get into it. Be sure to follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, too. That’s one of the best ways to keep up with Westminster Wire in between emails.
🌸 Daylily Bloom Show at the Ag Center — Today, 9:30 AM–1 PM
The Free State Daylily Society holds its Annual Bloom Show at the Carroll County Agriculture Center's Blizzard Building (700 Smith Ave., Westminster) today, Saturday, June 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Society members will display cut blooms across a wide range of categories and will be on hand to field questions. Admission is free; a limited selection of plants is available for purchase with cash only.
🎆 Westminster Wire’s 2026 Carroll County July 4th Week Guide
Carroll County has celebrations across the region between now and Saturday. The Manchester VFD Carnival runs nightly from June 29 to July 4, featuring rides, food, and live music. Mount Airy has its American Spirit Parade on Thursday and fireworks on Friday, July 3. Taneytown's Independence Day celebration is also on Friday at 6 PM at Taneytown Memorial Park. Sykesville's Let Freedom Ring Parade rolls through Historic Downtown on Saturday, July 4, from 10 AM–noon. And the Carroll County Farm Museum closes out the week Saturday evening with the county's largest fireworks display — gates at 4 PM, fireworks around 9:30 PM, $10 per car, cash only.
🍧 Free Snowballs and Bumper Boats from Westminster Rec & Parks
Westminster Rec & Parks is making Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July a little sweeter. Free snowballs on Locust Lane run Tuesdays from 12–1 PM, starting July 1; just show up. Free bumper boats at City Park run on Wednesdays from 10 AM–12 PM, starting July 2; pre-registration is required. Both programs continue throughout July.
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🎵 Free Sunday Concert Series Kicks Off July 5 — Pool Included
The City of Westminster's free outdoor concert series returns to Westminster parks all of July, with the first show at the Westminster Municipal Pool on Sunday, July 5. Luvable Idiots & Friends headline, and free pool admission is available for the full two-hour window during the concert. It's a nice way to spend a post-Fourth Sunday.
🎬 Bargain Movie Nights: Dog Man for $1, Remember the Titans for Free
Two bargain screenings happen this week. RC Theatres at TownMall is showing Dog Man for $1 on Tuesday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 1, at 10 AM, a solid option if you need something to do with the kids in addition to the free snowballs and bumper boats mentioned above. And the Carroll Arts Center opens its free summer movie series Tuesday, June 30, at 7 PM, with Remember the Titans.
🏕️ Outdoor School: Two Weeks Later, Questions Remain
It's been just over two weeks since the Carroll County school board ended Outdoor School overnights at Hashawha, and Westminster Wire looked at what we still don't know, including undisclosed risks cited, and why there was so little room for public feedback before the change took effect.
That's the week. Have a tip? Submit it here.
— Westminster Wire