As the afternoon turned to twilight, the official program began.  We took a short break as the area officials took the stage to welcome and speak to the crowd. 

Veronica & Nikki performed the National Anthem to a rousing ovation. 

Then Lt. Governor Andrew Brown of Maryland addressed the crowd, marking the second time Oracle has shared the stage with the Lt. Governor. 

Mayor Craig Moe of Laurel was there of course.  Mayor Moe is one of the most personable and approachable officials we have ever had the pleasure of working with.  While he delegates tasks liberally and has the best people doing what they do best, he always seems to be in touch with what's happening, without trying to micro-manage things.

Then there is Kay Harrison.  The lady in charge.  The boss.  The easiest, nicest person you would ever want to work with, yet there is never any doubt that she is the one running this show, as the coordinator for all of the Independence Day activities, from the morning parade to vendors in the field to the car show to the concert to the fireworks, and finally the big clean up afterwards.  It's a job that would have some running for cover, but Kay handles it with such efficiency you would think the whole day ran by itself.  

The kids were great, coming up and singing along with lots of the songs that they clearly knew by heart.

By the time the sun dipped completely below the western horizon there were people as far as the eye could see, in front of the band, to either side, and even behind us!

Click on any of the photos below for an enlarged view.

• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2012 (Page 1)
• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2012 (Page 2)
• Summer in the Parks Concert - Granville Gude Park - 2011
• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2011 (Page 1)
• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2011 (Page 2)
• Summer in the Parks - Montpelier Mansion Concert Series 2011
• Summer in the Parks Concert - Granville-Gude Park - 2010
• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2010 (Page 1)
• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2010 (Page 2)
• Summer in the Parks - Montpelier Mansion Concert Series 2010
• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2009 (Page 1)
• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2009 (Page 2)
• Summer in the Parks - Montpelier Mansion Concert Series 2009
• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2008 (Page 1)
• Laurel Independence Day Celebration 2008 (Page 2)
• Summer in the Parks Concert  - Granville-Gude Park - 2008
• Summer in the Parks Concert  - Granville-Gude Park - 2007
• Summer in the Parks Concert  - Granville Gude Park - 2006
• Summer in the Parks Concert  - Granville-Gude Park - 2005
• Summer in the Parks Concert - McCullough Field - 2003
• Laurel Main Street Celebration 2003
• Summer In The Parks Concert - McCullough Field - 2002