Each year, this small town holds an event called Celebrate Damascus, usually the Friday and Saturday the next week after July 4th.
This year, it is this Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14. Friday night will be the parade and fireworks, and Saturday is a townwide celebration at venues ranging from the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, VFD Activities building on Lewis Drive, the Damascus Library, etc.
The fireworks display is one of the best kept secrets in the county, and has always been held after July 4th, which boosts turnout for the Damascus display. Usually, there is no competing fireworks show.
Until this year.
Gaithersburg, which canceled its July 4 fireworks in political solidarity with allies in Rockville and Montgomery County government, abruptly announced it would have its fireworks after all.
On July 13.
So much for mutual respect among jurisdictions!
The most offensive part of this decision, is that Gaithersburg is using a taxpayer funded event to the detriment of Celebrate Damascus, which - in contrast - is the result of mostly private, volunteer efforts. And the Damascus fireworks are usually paid for by at least one generous, private donor.
It's just bad sportsmanship by the City of Gaithersburg, whose "city elders" are surely aware of the Damascus event, and its importance to town pride and charitable organizations, schools, churches and businesses.
So join me in giving a hearty "BOOOOO!!" to Gaithersburg, which should have gone ahead on July 4th.
But wait, take it a step further. Go to the parade and fireworks in Damascus. After 6:30 PM or so, you'll have to park in the Weis Markets lot, as streets north of there close for the parade.
One other Celebrate Damascus item to pass along. If you go Saturday, somewhere in town there is supposed to be a booth where the Damascus United Methodist Church (located at the corner of Main Street and Woodfield Road) will be raising money to restore its 1930 Skinner pipe organ.
The restoration will cost $129,954 and 75 cents.
You can learn more about the organ - and see some interesting photos of the current church under construction - in this video.
Other town highlights?
My personal favorite is the water tower. Other favorites? Weis Markets, the historic Druid movie theater (still standing, but now a Rite Aid), Jimmie Cone, the Damascus Heritage Museum (behind the library) and Tom and Ray's restaurant.
In Friday's parade, you'll see other favorites of mine, including John Deere and Farmall tractors, muscle cars, and Damascus, Laytonsville and Mount Airy VFD firetrucks, ambulances, and rescue vehicles.
When the 2 day event ends, you may have a new appreciation for the vital role volunteer fire departments play in communities like Damascus, and think about signing the petition to oppose the Ambulance Fee.
This year, it is this Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14. Friday night will be the parade and fireworks, and Saturday is a townwide celebration at venues ranging from the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, VFD Activities building on Lewis Drive, the Damascus Library, etc.
The fireworks display is one of the best kept secrets in the county, and has always been held after July 4th, which boosts turnout for the Damascus display. Usually, there is no competing fireworks show.
Until this year.
Gaithersburg, which canceled its July 4 fireworks in political solidarity with allies in Rockville and Montgomery County government, abruptly announced it would have its fireworks after all.
On July 13.
So much for mutual respect among jurisdictions!
The most offensive part of this decision, is that Gaithersburg is using a taxpayer funded event to the detriment of Celebrate Damascus, which - in contrast - is the result of mostly private, volunteer efforts. And the Damascus fireworks are usually paid for by at least one generous, private donor.
It's just bad sportsmanship by the City of Gaithersburg, whose "city elders" are surely aware of the Damascus event, and its importance to town pride and charitable organizations, schools, churches and businesses.
So join me in giving a hearty "BOOOOO!!" to Gaithersburg, which should have gone ahead on July 4th.
But wait, take it a step further. Go to the parade and fireworks in Damascus. After 6:30 PM or so, you'll have to park in the Weis Markets lot, as streets north of there close for the parade.
One other Celebrate Damascus item to pass along. If you go Saturday, somewhere in town there is supposed to be a booth where the Damascus United Methodist Church (located at the corner of Main Street and Woodfield Road) will be raising money to restore its 1930 Skinner pipe organ.
The restoration will cost $129,954 and 75 cents.
You can learn more about the organ - and see some interesting photos of the current church under construction - in this video.
Other town highlights?
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| Damascus water tower |
My personal favorite is the water tower. Other favorites? Weis Markets, the historic Druid movie theater (still standing, but now a Rite Aid), Jimmie Cone, the Damascus Heritage Museum (behind the library) and Tom and Ray's restaurant.
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| One of the greatest historic structures in Montgomery County is the Druid movie theater on Main Street. Now a Rite Aid[!!]. |
In Friday's parade, you'll see other favorites of mine, including John Deere and Farmall tractors, muscle cars, and Damascus, Laytonsville and Mount Airy VFD firetrucks, ambulances, and rescue vehicles.
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