Why wait until July when you can throw the party now?

That's the mindset in Darlington, where the annual independence parade and fireworks kick off about a week before traditional July 4 celebrations.

Darlington will hold its parade beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, with fireworks launched from the soccer field at Silver Park beginning at dusk.

See the 2011 fireworks finale in the video with this post, and see photos from last year's parade here.

Community leader Jane Howe said this year—the 29th year of the event—will be even bigger, with an extended fireworks show for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

The additional fireworks were made possible by the Hopkins family of Elberton Hill Farm.

"We are a committee of five people and we are so grateful for everyone’s commitment to the community and surrounding neighborhood of the Village of Darlington," said Kira Dare, president of the Darlington Independence Day Celebration Committee. "We are looking forward to the best year ever!"

The parade begins at the U.S. Route 1 weigh station and will meander down Main Street to Shuresville Road, where it will complete the course by turning down the gravel road to Silver Park.

The Friends of the Darlington Library will serve as the grand marshals of the parade, which will feature the Boumi Shriners motorcycle club and the Havre de Grace Warriors marching band.

To join the parade, pre-register by contacting Jerry Scarborough at 410-836-3506.

Plan for a little extra traffic in the U.S. Route 1 area, as work was set to begin Friday night on resurfacing the Conowingo Dam. That roadwork will close the southbound lane over the dam, with a flag operation alternating traffic over the Susquehanna River.

Check out last year's fireworks finale in the video with this post, and see photos from last year's parade here.

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Add your photos from the parade and fireworks to the Patch community gallery.