Independence Day events in Central Va.
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The 246th anniversary of the United States of America officially gaining independence from Great Britain, also known as Independence Day or the Fourth of July, is just around the corner. Here’s our list of events in Central Virginia celebrating the holiday.
Pamplin Park Independence Day Program
Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier are bringing it back to the 1700s this Independence Day with living, music, period-accurate games and tours of actual Civil War Battlefields.
Attendees will get the chance to meet Patrick Henry, played by Charles Wissinger, and hear Henry’s famous “Liberty or Death” speech.
Visitors can also get the chance to tour the Breakthrough Battlefield, which on April 2, 1865, resulted in the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. Seven days later, the surrender at Appomattox secured Union victory. Living historians acting as Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers will share why they fought and explain the equipment and life of the men during the war for independence and the American Civil War.
The park is also offering period-accurate baseball demonstrations and other games.
All event activities and programs are included with regular daily admission. The event will take place on Monday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pamplin Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road in Petersburg.
For more information, click/tap here or call the park at 804-861-2408.
Petersburg Harbor
Trapezium Brewing is hosting the inaugural Petersburg Independence Day Fireworks Show at the Petersburg Harbor on July 3.
The evening begins at 3 p.m. at the brewery with live music, food and beer. The fireworks show will begin across the street at 277 River St. at around 9 p.m.
“We promised Petersburg that we would bring major events to the City at this property, and this fireworks show will be the first of many,” said Waukeshaw and Trapezium owner, Dave McCormack.
Chesterfield County’s Fourth of July Celebration
Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation is hosting its free Fourth of July Celebration with music, food, fireworks, and a kids zone.
The KOS Band will be performing at 6:15 p.m.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 4 at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds at 10300 Courthouse Road. Fireworks begin at dark. All event traffic must enter on Krause Road.
For more information, click/tap here.
Fourth of July Celebration at The Diamond (NOW SOLD OUT!)
The July 4 Flying Squirrels game is now sold out! Click/tap here for their full schedule and other opportunities to watch fireworks this season.
King’s Dominion Fourth of July fireworks
One of central Virginia’s favorite amusement parks is hosting its very own fireworks display in the park at 9 p.m.
The parks say the fireworks can best be seen in Candy Apple Grove by the Drop Tower, International Street by the Eiffel Tower, or in Jungle X-Pedition by the Backlot Stunt Coaster.
CarMax Free Fourth of July at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will have free admission all day on July 4 as part of its CarMax Free Fourth of July.
“We are excited to partner with CarMax and invite the community to enjoy all the Garden has to offer,” said Brian Trader, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s President and CEO. “One of our core values is hospitality and we look forward to celebrating this special day by offering a place for all to relax and reconnect with nature.”
The free admission includes David Rogers’ Big Bugs and M&T Bank Butterflies LIVE! exhibits. There will also be food available for purchase.
Richmond Parks and Rec Fourth of July at Dogwood Dell
Richmond’s Parks and Recreation and Community Facilities are hosting a Fourth of July celebration as a part of the 65th annual Festival of Arts.
The free event will feature a reading and presentation of the Declaration of Independence, a performance by the Richmond Jazz Concert Band and a concert of patriotic and pop music by The Richmond Concert Band.
There will be a fireworks display starting at 9 p.m. with a performance of The 1812 Overture” featuring the concert band.
Vendors and family activities will also be available on site
The celebration will be at Dogwood Dell on 600 S Arthur Ashe Blvd. Richmond Police are enforcing the following no parking areas from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4:
- 700-1000 block of Blanton Avenue between Garrett Street and Grant Street (Both sides)
- Arthur Ashe Boulevard between Blanton and Idlewood Avenue (Both sides)
- Park Drive between Pump House Dr. and Blanton Avenue (Both sides)
- Idlewood Avenue between S. Arthur Ashe Boulevard and S. Robinson Street (Both sides)
- Arthur Ashe Boulevard will close to traffic at 6 p.m.
Free parking is available at the Dell, with overflow parking available at City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue with free shuttle bus service beginning at 4 p.m.
Ashland July 4th Parade and Celebration
The town of Ashland is hosting its annual July 4th celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a walking parade through the town and a celebration on their Lawn.
The parade line-up begins at the Henry Clay Elementary School parking lot at 10:15 a.m. and the Lawn celebration kicks off at 11:30 a.m.
The celebration also includes a patriotic pet contest, an apple pie baking contest and games and food on the Lawn.
For a full listing of the day’s itinerary, click/tap here.
Red, White and Lights at Crump Park
Henrico County is hosting its fourth of July celebration with fun for the whole family.
There will be a kids zone, food trucks, and entertainment including performances by the Richmond Symphony, Soul Expressions and No BS! Brass Band. In lieu of fireworks, there will be a laser light show with the Symphony providing music for the show.
The free event is at Crump Park on 3400 Mountain Rd in Glen Allen from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Click/tap here for a full list of vendors and the day’s itinerary.
City Stadium
The Richmond Kickers are hosting its first-ever Fireworks Extravaganza on Saturday, July 2, following the game against NCFC.
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