Officials Adjust Annapolis July 4th Events Over Heat Wave

PLEASE NOTE: Due to this week's extreme heat, times and dates of Fourth of July events are subject to change. Be sure to confirm details with event organizers before heading out.

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Organizers are making changes to Fourth of July events being held in Annapolis this weekend due to the scorching temperatures impacting the region.

Latest forecasts show Marylanders will see heat index values of up to 111 degrees on Thursday, with 112 degrees expected for Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Sweltering triple-digit temperatures will linger into the holiday weekend, as residents are likely to see showers and a thunderstorm by Sunday.

Related: Dangerous Heat To Scorch MD, Storm Chances Return: July 4 Weekend Forecast

An extreme heat watch is in effect Saturday morning through Saturday evening for areas east of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Changes To Annapolis Parade

The City of Annapolis announced Thursday that the Independence Day parade would still be held Saturday at 6:30 p.m., but that the route would be shortened "for the safety of the parade participants and viewers."

Moving forward, the parade will step off from Amos Garrett Boulevard and continue down West Street before making a left onto Calvert Street to St. John's Street.

An air-conditioned cooling bus will be provided near the intersection of Amos Garrett Boulevard and Constitution Ave.

People's Park Festival Rescheduled

While the parade remains on the weekend schedule, the same cannot be said for the festival planned at the People's Park on Calvert Street.

Organizers said the “One Country, Many Cultures: Storytelling & Oral Histories” event is being rescheduled for Saturday, July 11, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Should further weather impact the event, the festivities will be moved indoors at the Stanton Community Center, according to officials.

Residents can stay aware of the latest Fourth of July changes by texting "JULY4" to 38276.

Active Cool Centers

The extreme heat conditions have prompted the city to activate five cooling centers in the region that include weekend hours. They include:

Roger "Pip" Moyer Recreation Center
273 Hilltop Lane

• Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.*
• Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*The building will be closed except for the cooling center area.

American Legion Post 141
1707 Forest Drive

• Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Annapolis Senior Activity Center
119 S. Villa Avenue

• Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Officials will also be opening the Kenneth R. Dunn Municipal Pool at Truxtun Park at no charge in two-hour increments on the following days:

• Thursday and Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day
• Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and 4 to 4:45 p.m.

The pool openings will also be based on available capacity.

Residents can stay aware of the latest city alerts by signing up for texts, calls or emails at online or texting “ANNAPOLIS” to 38276.