Photo courtesy National Harbor
Spirit Park at National Harbor is a modern tribute to the soul and spirit of the American flag. The park is open daily from sunrise until 10 p.m. The flag shown above is one of the largest on the east coast.
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No Fireworks at National Harbor but Lots of Fun Waterfront Activities July 4th Weekend and Continuing Through the Summer
Music, a veterans market, boating fun and more, National Harbor is the place to be for the Fourth of July Weekend and summertime fun!
By PRESS OFFICER
National Harbor
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (June 23, 2026)—National Harbor does not have fireworks on July 4, but as the nation celebrates 250 years, National Harbor has plenty of opportunities to experience great entertainment, exceptional food and amazing activities all weekend.
“As part of our celebration of America’s 250th birthday, we’re excited to offer an extensive list of summer programming and activities,” said Senior Director of Marketing at National Harbor, Deborah Topcik. “From shopping to dining to boating fun, our waterfront is a vibrant gathering place to honor our nation’s history and celebrate July 4th all weekend long.”
The July 4th weekend kicks off on Friday, July 3rd with Summer Sounds featuring National Harbor’s own Bobby McKey’s performing rock music from 6 to 8 p.m. on the waterfront plaza. The event is free. Actor and comedian DeRay Davis will be performing at The Theater at MGM National Harbor.
On July 4, visitors to National Harbor can experience the 250th Veterans’ Maker’s Market showcasing veteran makers and artisans with handmade art, crafts, jewelry, home décor, gifts and specialty items. The market takes place from noon until 8 p.m., rain or shine in the Capital Canopy. Also on July 4th, School of Rock students from across the Washington, D.C. region will perform on the National Harbor Plaza Stage from 1 to 5 p.m.
Tanger National Harbor will stay open until 6 p.m. on the 4th. Shoppers are encouraged to visit www.tanger.com/nationalharbor for more details and store offers.
End the holiday weekend on Sunday, July 5 with Movies on the Potomac. Back to the Future will be showing at 6pm on the Plaza Screen. Guests can elevate their visit with The Capital Wheel offers “Stars & Stripes” package.
Gaylord National Resort joins forces with DC this summer for a superhero adventure all summer long through Sept. 6. Super Hero Summer features interactive experiences, thrilling challenges and dazzling spectacles featuring iconic characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman—straight from the pages of DC comics. Gaylord’s overnight stays provide exclusive resort experiences that let guests immerse themselves in Super Hero Summer featuring DC.
Visitors can get out on the water in the National Harbor cove and have some boating fun. The property’s popular Freedom Ring Boat rentals are great for groups of up to 10 people. Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic. Or for smaller groups or independent adventurers, Adventures Unbound provides kayak, canoes and pedal boat rentals for those who want to explore the Potomac on their own.
For more information on National Harbor, visit www.NationalHarbor.com
Situated on the banks of the historic Potomac River and just minutes from the nation’s capital, National Harbor is a waterfront resort destination unlike any other. National Harbor is home to two of Maryland’s Four Diamond rated hotels—Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center and MGM National Harbor. The vibrant Waterfront District features boutique shops, restaurants and entertainment options along picturesque promenades. The iconic Capital Wheel, a 180-ft observation wheel, Tanger National Harbor’s 85 designer brands, and a robust calendar of events round out this destination that welcomes more than 15.2 million visitors a year. For more information, visit www.NationalHarbor.com
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Southern Maryland 250th Celebration Marks Defining Milestone for National Heritage Area
Sen. Van Hollen joined partners, previewed 10-year blueprint, and dedicated Maryland Liberty Tree at Thomas Stone National Historic Site
By PRESS OFFICER
Southern Maryland National Heritage Area
PORT TOBACCO, Md. (June 24, 2026)—As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area (SMNHA) hosted Southern Maryland 250: Liberty and Legacy, a milestone celebration honoring the region’s role in the American story and charting a course for its future. More than 200 attendees gathered at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site for an event that marked SMNHA’s most significant moment since its launch in 2023.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md, the lead sponsor of the 2022 legislation that established the SMNHA, delivered the keynote address. In his keynote, Sen. Van Hollen traced Southern Maryland’s outsized role in shaping American liberty—from Indigenous stewardship of the land to the first codification of religious freedom in 1649—and called on all Americans to tell that story fully and honestly as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
“Together, we celebrate this milestone for Southern Maryland as we look ahead to a bright future. We are proud to unveil the roadmap that will preserve and share the historic, cultural, and natural resources that make Southern Maryland one of the most remarkable places in the entire country,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen in his keynote remarks. “This region’s importance is not limited to the past. Southern Maryland continues to contribute through scientific research and innovation, environmental stewardship, military service, and economic development. Each of the heritage area sites tells these Southern Maryland stories, and together, this landscape tells a story unlike any other in the United States.”
SMNHA partners also previewed a 10-year master plan that will guide the preservation of the region’s historic, cultural, and natural resources, while expanding heritage tourism and driving economic growth across Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and southern Prince George’s Counties. The plan was shaped in part by input from over 200 residents and community leaders who participated in a public forum last year, and by numerous public meetings and outreach over the past three years.
The SMNHA Master Plan is under Technical Review by the U.S. National Park Service and will be released this summer for public review and comment, allowing residents, business owners, and stakeholders to review the draft and directly influence its final priorities.
“As we celebrate the nation’s 250th, this is also a defining moment for Southern Maryland. We're working to bring more visitors and investments to communities, main streets, and cultural sites across all four counties,” said Lucille Walker, executive director of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area. “Today, we are letting people know that this Master Plan will be released for their input and ideas this summer, providing an opportunity to shape a plan that will carry Southern Maryland’s legacy forward.”
Walker added, “Southern Maryland’s story is central to America’s story, and we are celebrating that today.”
SMNHA partners also gathered for the dedication of a Maryland Liberty Tree, a tulip poplar—and living symbol of the nation’s founding—planted on the grounds where Thomas Stone, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, once lived. The tree is a direct scion of the last surviving Liberty Tree from the Revolutionary era, which stood in Maryland until 1999. The tree joins a network of 23 others being planted in each of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City in 2026 through the Maryland Liberty Tree Project.
The Liberty Tree dedication also acknowledged that Southern Maryland's story begins long before the founding era. Chairman Francis Gray of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe reminded attendees that the role of Tulip Poplars evolved over time, and for the Piscataway people, provided resources to live and thrive as stewards of this land for millennia.
“Freedom, from a Tribal perspective, is to live under a process of self-determination,” said Francis Gray, Tribal Chairman of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe. “The ancestors of this sapling provided a space for the idea for one to exercise their voice. For the Piscataway, the Tulip Poplar gave itself entirely. Its bark covered our longhouses, its body provided the resources for our dugout canoes, and its blooms provided a reminder that Spring has arrived after a long winter. However, for its survival, for our survival, we must ensure that it’s respected and nurtured, symbolically and physically. “
The celebration featured early American musical performances by David and Ginger Hildebrand, live jazz by Ellington Carthan Quartet, and an exhibitor lane showcasing heritage, cultural, and conservation partners from across the region at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site. It is one of nine national parks and historic sites within the SMNHA, which are critical to attracting visitors, supporting local economies, and ensuring the region’s most significant stories are preserved and interpreted for future generations.
“National heritage areas are the National Park Service at its best. Especially as we’re heading toward the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, they bring people of all walks of life together to reflect on our long, sometimes beautiful, sometimes difficult history,” said Alan Spears, Senior Director of Cultural Resources, National Parks Conservation Association. “The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, and its national parks and historic sites are now more important than ever, and I look forward to working with all the partners to continue preserving it for the future.”
The Master Plan represents more than a preservation strategy; it is an economic development plan. Statewide, the Heritage Area Program, which includes SMNHA, generates $2.4 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 40,000 jobs. More than $5.1 million is returned directly to local communities each year through the program, a $7 return for every $1 invested. Today’s milestone positions Southern Maryland to capture a greater share of that impact for its small businesses, Main Streets, and rural economies.
Residents and stakeholders who wish to help shape the heritage area’s next chapter are encouraged to visit destinationsouthernmaryland.com/management-plan for updates on the upcoming public comment period.
As a newly designated National Heritage Area, the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area represents Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and southern Prince George’s Counties with a mission to enhance the region through innovative heritage tourism experiences, comprehensive cultural and natural resource conservation, and excellence in educational opportunities. To learn more, visit our website: https://destinationsouthernmaryland.com/
The Maryland Liberty Tree Project is a coalition of statewide leaders including the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Preservation Maryland, the Maryland Center for History and Culture, and the Maryland 250 Commission. Formed in 2025, the Maryland Liberty Tree Project aims to amplify Maryland’s legacy in shaping the American story and encourage the shared responsibility of democracy. Learn more about the coalition at www.mdlibertytree.org.
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Warrior Walkathon to Support Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
By PRESS OFFICER
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc.
HANOVER, Md. (June 25, 2026)—The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc., a national nonprofit membership organization that advocates for people affected by sickle cell disease, will hold the Warrior Walkathon on Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at Lake Montebello in Baltimore.
“SCDAA is excited to host our 13th annual walkathon, again in Baltimore,” said Regina Hartfield, president and CEO of the association. “It’s a great opportunity to make a difference. Join us to raise vital funds in support of a universal cure. Walk alongside sickle cell warriors, caregivers, families, friends, community organizations, sororities, fraternities, industry leaders and supporters of the sickle cell community.”
For over a decade, the annual walkathon—formerly named Walk with the Stars—has raised more than $500,000 to support improvements in the quality of health, life and services for individuals, families and communities affected by sickle cell disease.
The Warrior Walkathon will begin with a warmup followed by the walk and awards ceremony. Participants can create and promote personal fundraising webpages to raise money for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc. and those affected by sickle cell disease.
The walkathon is free to attend, but registration is required. Participants who raise over $25 receive a T-shirt. To learn more and register, visit bit.ly/SCDAAWalk2026.
Sickle cell disease is a rare inherited blood disease causing red blood cells to take a sickle shape, which leads to blockages that prevent blood from reaching parts of the body. As a result, people with sickle cell complications can experience anemia, jaundice, gallstones, stroke, chronic pain, organ damage and premature death.
More than 100,000 Americans live with sickle cell disease, and 2 million Americans have sickle cell trait. No universal cure exists.
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc. advocates for people affected by sickle cell conditions and empowers community-based organizations to maximize quality of life and raise public consciousness while advancing the search for a universal cure. The association and more than 50-member organizations support sickle cell research, public and professional health education and patient and community services. (sicklecelldisease.org)
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