Article excerpts from the Gazette, June 26, 2006. "Laurel Prepares for Independence Day" Written by Steve Earley
"Almost three decades after a young girl asked then-mayor Robert DiPietro why Laurel didn’t have an Independence Day celebration, the city’s daylong festival of contests, music, food and of course fireworks, has solidified itself as one of the region’s largest July 4th events. DiPietro formed The Laurel Fourth of July Committee in 1978 shortly after the inquiry. The panel now includes about 40 volunteers who work year round holding fundraisers and organizing the event...The fireworks regularly draw more than 50,000 spectators, according to Harrison, who’s counting those who take in the display from their porches or city hilltops as well as the masses who converge on Laurel Lakes...a 45-minute firework display accompanied by patriotic music set to begin 9:15 p.m. City Council President Frederick Smalls said the celebration has, despite its growth, managed to maintain a small-town feel. ‘‘For me the Laurel celebration is a celebration of community,” he said. ‘‘It’s definitely a very anticipated city celebration that brings together not just the volunteers who put this event on, but the city as well as the citizens in the city and outside the city.”