LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Fireworks are set to return to the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds next summer after county commissioners voted Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 to sponsor the 2026 Freedom Fest with a $10,000 contribution for the show’s pyrotechnics.
The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County unanimously approved transferring $10,000 from the commissioners’ reserve to County Administration to help fund fireworks for a July 3, 2026, display at the fairgrounds. The money will be paid to Innovated Pyrotechnic Concepts LLC of Mechanicsville to help cover the fireworks portion of the event.
Deputy County Administrator David M. Yingling told commissioners the sponsorship would allow promoter Nick Simonds to bring back Freedom Fest as a free, family-friendly, alcohol-free event featuring bands, vendors and an evening fireworks show. He said estimated attendance over the past two years has ranged from about 5,000 to 8,000 people.
“In the distant past, the commissioners hosted fireworks at the fairgrounds,” Yingling said, noting that cost eventually forced the county to discontinue its own show. A private promoter later took over, but rising expenses and the lack of a county sponsorship last year meant the organizer did not recoup his costs, according to Yingling and a memo to the board.
Under the arrangement approved this week, the county’s $10,000 sponsorship is limited to the fireworks contract, while Simonds covers on-site security and other major costs through vendor fees and additional sponsorships. County government will provide traffic control and emergency services support through the Department of Emergency Services and the Department of Public Works and Transportation, as it has in previous years.
Commissioners said the fairgrounds offer a safer and more manageable location for a large fireworks show than past sites, citing ample parking and existing plans for handling big events such as the county fair and high school graduations.
“I’ve attended this event and it’s been a phenomenal success,” Commissioner Eric Colvin said during the discussion. “It’s been a really good crowd, and I’ve been very impressed. It’s fun having fireworks in St. Mary’s County.”
The newly approved funding will be encumbered for the July 3, 2026, fireworks show at the fairgrounds, keeping a countywide Independence Day-season display on the calendar for another year.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
Awesome, thank you St. Mary’s county government for this contribution towards a good cause. It means a lot to have family friendly events that are local. Thank you. How about a wave bridges in addition to piers? The town could charge a dollar to walk out on them, it would cover the costs.