Fireworks No-Nos and Where to Go

Days before July 4, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is reminding residents of its "zero tolerance" policy regarding the use of illegal fireworks. 

. Police plan to issue citations to those who fail to abide by the policy during this weekend's "Illegal Fireworks . . . If You Light It, We’ll Write It" campaign. Individuals can be fined up to $1,000.

The official policy states: "It is illegal for any person to manufacture, possess, store, offer for sale, sell, discharge, use, burn or explode any fireworks in Montgomery County, Maryland, except that an authorized display may be conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic professional with a permit. Penalties for violations of the law include a fine up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail. All fireworks are illegal in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and the City of Baltimore. Montgomery County Fire Safety Code: Section 22-70: Fireworks."

Residents should call 301-279-8000 to report firework violations. 

There are plenty of places to enjoy a festive fireworks display on Monday without braving the crowds in downtown DC. Here are a few displays closer to home: 

• Rockville, . Additional parking will be available at Rockville Town Center. 

• Gaithersburg, Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg. Gates open at 5 p.m. Walk-in at Chestnut or Dalamar streets; the Perry Parkway entrance will be closed. Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk.

• Kensington/Wheaton, Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Rd., Kensington. Entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks begin around 9:15 p.m. Since there will be no on-site parking at the school or at adjacent properties, except for handicapped parking, shuttle buses will pick up passengers, beginning at 6:15 p.m., at Westfield Wheaton and the Wheaton Metro Station.

• Takoma Park, Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Rd., Takoma Park. Parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Carroll and Ethan Allen avenues. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

• Boyds/Germantown, Germantown Soccerplex, 18041 Central Park Circle, Boyds. Family activities will begin at 6 p.m. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will perform a musical salute to America at 8 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

• Poolesville, Poolesville Polo Grounds, 14660 Hughes Rd., Poolesville. Live music begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Parking is $5 per vehicle. 

Source: The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.