(Photo courtesy ThinkStock)
No matter how you'd like to celebrate Independence Day -- with fireworks, food, or family fun -- you'll find what you're looking for at these local events.
For fireworks
- Flying Squirrels Independence Day Fireworks: At the Diamond on Boulevard, the Flying Squirrels are going to be having what they’re promising to be the biggest fireworks extravaganza in the city. Tickets for the game can be purchased online or at the box office.
- Chesterfield County July 4th Celebration: This free event at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds beings at 5 p.m. They’re going to be offering an activity area for children, with a fireworks show beginning after sunset.
- Star Spangled Celebration at King’s Dominion: On July 2-4, King’s Dominion is going to admit all active a retired military personnel into the park for free, but have activities for the entire family. A fireworks presentation is planned for Independence Day.
- Dogwood Dell w/ Bak N Da Day: This Independence Day has an opportunity to be transported back in time through music before a fireworks spectacle begins at sundown. This free event starting at 5:30 p.m. at Dogwood Dell showcases oldies vocalist group Bak N Da Day. Known for their slick style and groovy sound, the a capella quintuple will precede the community-organized symphony, the Richmond Concert Band. Anywhere between 60 and 90 musicians will be bringing the crowd a melodic sundown before the fireworks show beginning at dark. There will be food vendors around the park, and activities for children. The following night is the set rain date in the event of poor weather.
For history buffs
- Independence Day Reenactment at St. John’s Church: This is a free event, with a suggested donation of $5.00 per person, with doors opening at 11 a.m., with first-come-first-serve seating. Music will begin at 11:15 a.m., and a reenacted reading of the Declaration of Independence will commence at 11:30.
- Liberty Celebration at Yorktown Victory Center: On July 3-4, visitors will be able to see Revolutionary War tactical drills, even participating in some military exercises, while finding out information about the difficulties faced by America’s founding fathers. The demonstrations are included in the museum’s admission, which is $9.75 for adults and $5.50 for youth ages 6-12.
- Independence Day Celebration and Artillery Demonstration: At the Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, a celebration begins at 9 a.m. and an artillery demonstration at 1 p.m. where attendees will be able to see how Revolutionary War soldiers operated the old-school cannons during battle, as well as how life was like on a 19th-century plantation.
For general fun
- Beaverdam Ruritan Club Independence Day Parade and Celebration: For their 40th year, the Beaverdam Ruritan Club will be holding their Independence Day Parades starting at 10 a.m. in downtown Beaverdam, Virginia. The six-mile long procession will feature past-year’s contestants of the Miss Beaverdam pageant, as well as floats from local organizations and businesses. It ends at their clubhouse, where they’ll be serving up BBQ chicken next door to a classic car and street rod competition that’s giving out cash prizes to winners. The organizers are collecting donations of clothing, toiletries and food for the Western Hanover Emergency Action Team, who will be giving the items to military veterans.
- Red, White, and Lights Fourth of July Celebration: Enjoy a laser light show, patriotic performances, family activities under the big tent at Henrico County Recreation and Parks’ Red, White and Lights celebration. The Richmond Symphony will perform and food trucks will offer a variety of treats at the free event, which kicks off at 4:30 at the Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park.
