LOCAL

Where to park for Staunton's Fourth of July celebration

Laura Peters
Staunton News Leader
Scenes from the Happy Birthday America July 4th Parade in Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, Va. Thursday, July 4, 2019.

STAUNTON — Staunton is gearing up for its annual Happy Birthday America event on July 4.

According to event organizers, any lots, public or otherwise, that are part of Gypsy Hill Park and near the ball field will be limited to passes only. Hilltop at the old Lee High School may have paid parking, but that is handled between them and a charity organization, event organizers said.

Here's what you need to know in terms of traffic and parking.

Sunday, July 3

  • ADA parking for those with handicap signs/passes will be available in the main parking lot past the Armory, near the skate park. This parking is first come, first serve and limited.
  • Access to Gypsy Hill Park at the Lake Tams entrance will be limited to handicap/ADA access and committee/volunteer/vendor parking passes only
  • Constitution Drive, the loop around the park, will be open that evening and available for parking.
  • Deaver Drive will also be blocked off for emergency vehicles and parking passes only

Monday, July 4

  • From 7 a.m. to approximately noon, Thornrose Avenue and the loop around Gypsy Hill Park will be closed for the parade.
  • After the parade, the loop around the park and Thornrose Avenue will open back up
  • Access to the Lake Tams entrance will be limited to Handicap Tags (must have them with them) and parking passes
  • Deaver Drive will also be blocked off for emergency vehicles and parking passes

More:Happy Birthday America schedule July 2-4

Overall parking

  • There is street parking available in the areas surrounding the park. 
  • Do not block driveways and fire hydrants if parking on the street.
  • On July 3 and after the parade the main park loop will be open for parking.
  • There is also a paid parking lot in front of the old Lee High. 
  • Parking is free and unrestricted in the central business district.
  • Parking will not be permitted in the Gypsy Hill Park football stadium parking lot (beside Lake Tams) from Tuesday to Monday morning.
  • Portion of the main event lot (adjacent to dog park and Lake Tams in the Gypsy Hill Park football stadium lot) will be designated for handicap parking, which will be free and spaces will be first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Look out for "no parking" signs  and other restrictions around Churchville and Thornrose avenues.

Traffic

  • West Beverley Street and Thornrose Avenue
    • Motorists should avoid the area surrounding the intersection of West Beverley Street and Thornrose Avenue from 7 to 10 a.m. on Monday.
    • Thornrose Avenue will be closed for the Happy Birthday America Parade, and participants will be lining up for the event at this location. Expect delays in the area until the parade has concluded. 
  • Constitution Drive in Gypsy Hill Park
    • Constitution Drive in Gypsy Hill Park will be temporarily closed to vehicles on Monday for the parade. The road will be reopened for public use after the parade has ended.

More:Happy Birthday America back in-person this year. Here's what we know.

More:Car wash to reopen in Staunton; Jazz in the Park — The buzz

Laura Peters is the trending topics reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Or a good feature? You can reach reporter Laura Peters (she/her) at lpeters@newsleader.com. Follow her @peterslaura. Subscribe to The News Leader at newsleader.com.