Bel Air Fourth of July Highlights

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8:06 p.m. The parade is still making its say up Main Street with thousands of spectators watching.

Gov. Martin O'Malley was cheered in some spots and booed in others. (Check back later for an exclusive interview.)

Photos and more from the parade will be on Patch later.

5:23 p.m. after an accident just two hours before the Bel Air Independence Day parade was set to begin.

Two women were also in the accident, but said they were not seriously injured.

2:36 p.m. A few people are starting to take their seats on Main Street Bel Air—more than three hours before the parade starts. Many chairs and blankets have been reserving spots since Saturday. (More on that tonight.)

2:24 p.m. Michael Blum of the Bel Air Independence Day Committee led a game of "Uncle Sam Says." About 50 people participated in the event.

1:33 p.m. A Hays House concert took local residents back in time.

Patrick McGrady was among those leading the more classical portion of Bel Air's July 4th celebrations.

12:18 p.m. I'm hearing about a police bike rodeo in the parking lot near the garage. I'll try to come back with some good photos.

11:47 a.m. The title of "Fastest Hamster in Harford County" was up for grabs this , a prize that means a lot to Ellie and Valory Myers of Bel Air.

Read about the key to their triumph.

10:50 a.m. The horseshoe pitching competition is still going on, and Justin Wooters said it was a nice excuse to celebrate the holiday.

"It’s good because you have the whole day and you’re not sleeping,” the 25-year-old Oxford, PA, resident said. “Usually I’d just sleep all day.”

10:28 a.m. The annual frog jumping contest is about to begin in Shamrock Park.

10:20 a.m. Jesse Bane is in his 24th year helping run the annual turtle races, but Erin Drumm may have done something even the sheriff has never seen.

The Forest Hill resident entered two turtles in the box and water turtle races, respectively, and twice tied for third.

She said she didn't mind, though. (Look for photos and more details later this morning.

9:18 a.m. Main Street Bel Air is mostly empty with no parking signs on the meters, but that didn't stop people from reserving their seats for the parade.

Since Saturday afternoon, blankets and chairs have edged the sidewalks along the parade route.

Many politicians including the Town of Bel Air Commissioners, Rep. Andy Harris and Gov. Martin O'Malley are scheduled to attend.

8:19 a.m. There aren't many seats left in Bel Air High School's cafeteria. First local celebrity spotting—.

No word on anyone caught with vodka in their orange juice.

I also ran into a Bel Air couple hosting their grandchildren from Philadelphia and Kansas City.

7:43 a.m. The blueberry pancake (you can order plain) and sausage breakfast is underway inside Bel Air High School.

The all-you-can-eat meals cost $4 for children 10 and under and $6 for adults.

The entrance is on the Baltimore Pike side of the building across from the .

6:50 a.m.  with a flag-raising ceremony in front of Bel Air High School.

Stephanie Meadowcroft sang the Star Spangled Banner—on one night's notice. Her sister, Katie, is the first-ever .