Last night's rain only delayed the celebration 24 hours.

A star-spangled good time is planned for the Fourth of July in Salisbury, where thousands will gather for music, carnival fare and 25 minutes of fireworks shot skyward.

Red White and BOOM, free to the public, begins at 6:30 p.m. at County Stadium. Fireworks will begin tonight at 9:15 p.m.

“Salisbury is the place to be on the Fourth of July. We have the new First Saturday happening between 4 and 7, then Red White and BOOM after that. We’re expecting a great crowd,” said organizer and founder Mike Dunn.

Fireworks will blast 600 feet into the air from the old Salisbury Mall site.

“Come gather at Wicomico County Stadium. Bring your lawn chairs and your blankets, your friends and your community spirit, and spread out,” Dunn said.

Among vendors will be Big Al's, Phat Boyz, Cake Art. Holly Hill Homemade Goods, Nice Farm Creamery selling homemade ice cream, Eastern Shore Kettle Korn, Peaches 'n' Cream Catering, and Kona Ice.

Encore Catering will have a concession in the Civic Center lot.

Red White and BOOM T-shirts will be sold by the Ladies’ Auxiliary from the Salisbury Fire Department’s Station No. 2 and music will be provided by Adams Broadcasting.

A Kids’ Kazoo Parade will begin at 8 p.m.

“Every kid will get a kazoo and take one lap around the track,” Dunn said. Children can also play in three inflatable houses, sponsored by Son Rise Church.

Dunn said “We Heart Salisbury” will invite the public to help create an art project called “Freedom.”

Once completed, the work will be displayed in the Wicomico County Library.

Nonprofit organizations will have booths, including Relay for Life.

Strolling entertainers, performing minstrel-style, will include a magician, juggler, balloon maker, clown and face painter.

“This is truly about the community. We’re  extending an invitation to everybody to come and gather at the county stadium. I think it’s kind of cool when a community can rally around itself the way we do at Third Friday, the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and the Winter Wonderland of Lights,” Dunn said.

There is room for thousands in the stadium and field outdoors, where tents can be pitched. Parking will be available at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center and Wi-Hi.

If it rains, the event will be held Sunday night, July 5.

Every year, Dunn said, he solicits door to door to raise money for the $20,000 event, and asks businesses and individuals to help. The city of Salisbury is the main sponsor and allotts $9,000. Premiere sponsors are Robinson’s Family of Business and Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury.

“All the city's leaders have been such strong supporters of the fireworks. The Salisbury police and fire departments, and the public works department all do so much to help make the night possible. Wicomico County has also helped out tremendously,” he said.

Support has also come from County Executive Bob Culver, county Parks, Recreation & Tourism and Civic Center staffs, the county Sheriff’s Office, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

“The Moose Lodge, the Elks, VFW … they all contribute,” Dunn said.

“We will have more than 75 businesses in Wicomico County making contributions. Donations are still being accepted.  My goal is to raise $30,000 every year and we are getting there,” Dunn said.

“It’s going to be a nice event. Grab your spot and come and enjoy the music and food and magician,” he said.

“From the turf in the stadium -- and, if you want, from the visitors’ side bleachers, too -- you'll have the best view of the fireworks. They'll be directly across the street from you, rising as high as 600 feet in the air … you may never get a chance to get this up close and personal to fireworks,” Dunn said.

“Few things are more community-centric than the Fourth of July celebration. It’s the Fourth of July and it’s fireworks.”

Everything you need to know about Red, White and BOOM:

• The location is Wicomico County Stadium.
• Bring your lawn chairs and your blankets, your friends and your community spirit, and spread out. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
• Fireworks begin at dark -- approximately 9:15 p.m.
• From the turf in the stadium (and, if you want, from the visitors-side bleachers, too), you'll have the best view of the fireworks. They'll be directly across the street from you, rising as high as 600 feet in the air.
• It's a $20,000 show that will last between 20-25 minutes. You may never get a chance to get this up close and personal to fireworks.
• There's parking everywhere County Stadium. All the parking at Wi-Hi, and in both Civic Center lots is available. Parking is free; there’s nearly 2,000 parking spaces.
• Food Vendors will be on site at County Stadium. Big Al's; Phat Boyz; Cake Art; Holly Hill Homemade Goods; Nice Farm Creamery; Eastern Shore Kettle Korn; Peaches 'n' Cream Catering; and Kona Ice will all be there. And Encore Catering will be set up in the Civic Center lot.
• For the youngsters, there will be bounce houses in the end zone, courtesy of SonRise Church. And lots of entertainment: Cascading Carlos, the juggler; Bill Campion, the "Mad Hatter" will do balloon fun; Magician John Donaldson; and Laura Grimes with Lollipop and Company.
• At 8 p.m. there will be a Kids Kazoo Parade. Every kid will be handed a kazoo and an American flag -- and they'll take one lap around the County Stadium track.
• Adams Radio Group will be providing the on-field music, and DJ Brian K. Hall will have a great soundtrack to accompany the fireworks.
• WeHeartSBY is sponsoring face-painting creating a community art piece, called "Freedom."