Fourth of July Guide
By Stephen Ball and Julia Winkler
We’ve liberated you from the hassles of holiday planning with our list of Independence Day events, running the gamut from fireworks, family fests, parades, wine and food. Let freedom ring!
July 4 Festivals and Fireworks
Celebration at Signal Hill Park
9300 Signal View Drive, Manassas Park; 703-335-8872; www.visitpwc.com
5-9 p.m.; free admission, $5 onsite parking.
Signal Hill Park will be holding the City of Manassas Park’s July 4 celebration. Bring the family for kids’ games and rides, musical entertainment, food and fireworks. Onsite parking is limited; shuttles will run to VRE station, City Hall and OmniLink stops along Manassas Drive.
An American Celebration at Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon; 703-780-2000; www.mountvernon.org
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, $7 for youth, free for children under six.
Throughout the day, see costumed military reenactments, the annual Red, White and Blue Concert, a special wreathlaying ceremony on Washington’s tomb and free “Happy Birthday, America!” cake. The original first couple themselves, General and Mrs. Washington, will be present to celebrate with guests.
Celebrate America! in Manassas
9101 Prince William St., Manassas; 703-361-6599; www.manassascity.org
4-10 p.m.; free.
Come out to the Manassas Museum for a beach party with live beach music for dancing and party music by Latitude at the Harris Pavilion on the Manassas Museum lawn. Boardwalk games will be set up offering prizes, along with rides, carnival foods, face painting and a red, white and blue hayride. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for one of Northern Virginia’s largest fireworks displays at 9:15 p.m. Parking available at Baldwin Elementary School and Metz Middle School.
City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade and Evening Show
Various locations; see www.fairfaxva.gov/specialevents/IDC/IDC.asp for addresses and directions.
8 a.m.-10 p.m.; free.
The City of Fairfax will be hosting its annual Independence Day festivities beginning at 10 a.m. in the Downtown Fairfax Historic District. Seven divisions will march during the two-hour parade, rain or shine. The evening show and fireworks will be held at Fairfax High School from 7-10:30 p.m., choreographed to the “1812 Overture.”
City of Falls Church July 4 Celebration
300 Park Ave. and 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; 703-248-5077; www.fallschurchva.gov
noon-10 p.m.; free.
The City’s festivities begin at noon with historical readings at City Hall, sponsored by the Village Preservation and Improvement Society. Live musical performances begin at George Mason High School at 7 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
Fredericksburg Heritage Festival
706 Caroline St., Fredericksburg; 800-678-4748; www.visitfred.com
7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; free.
The City of Fredericksburg hosts events throughout the city, including a runners’ race, craft show, parade, antique auto show and live entertainment. A trolley ride will also be offered to George Washington’s boyhood home. Fireworks begin at dark. Contact the Fredericksburg Visitor’s Center at 800-678-4748 for locations.
Town of Culpeper Festivities
Various locations; see www.culpeper4thofjuly.com for registration forms and directions.
8 a.m.-10 p.m.; free.
Participate in a jam-packed day full of activities for everyone in and around the town of Culpeper. The Freedom 5K Race will begin at Gold’s Gym in the Southgate Shopping Center at 8 a.m. Youth soccer and little league tournaments go on from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Yowell Meadow Park, and the Culpeper Renaissance Fourth of July Car and Bike Show will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Downtown Culpeper. At noon, the Declaration of Independence will be read on the courthouse lawn and the Blue Ridge Chorale will sing patriotic tunes, accompanied by a fife and drum corps. The State Theatre will hold an open house from 12:30-4 p.m., and the Main Street Parade will commence at 4 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., Yowell Meadow Park will host the Culpeper Olympics, an old-fashioned field day event with sack race, egg toss, three-legged race, watermelon-eating contest and more. Food, art vendors and music by the Dark Hollow Bluegrass Band will enhance the evening, followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Town of Herndon Celebration
814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon; 703-787-7300; www.herndon-va.gov
6:30-10 p.m.; free.
The Herndon Community Center will be hosting a family fun-filled evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. Come out for a community kickball game, arts and crafts, sack races, bingo and other kid-friendly activities. Live musicians will take the stage at 7:30 p.m.; clowns and jugglers will perform as well. Hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes and cotton candy will be sold. The fireworks show, choreographed to music, begins at 9:30 p.m.
Town of Vienna Celebration and Fireworks,
120 Cherry St. S.E. and 1315 Ross Dr. S.W., Vienna; 703-255-7840; www.viennava.gov
11 a.m.-4 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m.; free.
The Vienna Community Center on Cherry Street will be hosting magicians, antique car shows, music, food and rides for the whole family. Community organizations will have booths set up and the Vienna Police Honor Guard will present the colors at noon. Fireworks will be set off at Southside Park on Ross Drive promptly at 9:15 p.m.; spectator seating areas will open at 5 p.m. See www.viennava.gov for a map of available seating areas.
Red, White, & Blue Golf Tournament at Burke Lake Golf Course
7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station; 703-323-1641; www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf/burkegolf
8 a.m.-noon; $60 per team, includes lunch.
Teams of two players will compete in an 18-hole scramble-format tournament on Burke Lake Golf Course. Participants must be aged 7 and up and will use alternating tees: forward, middle and back. Prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place teams; call 703-323-1641 to register.
McLean Community Center Celebration at Langley High School
6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean; 703-790-0123; www.mcleancenter.org
6-10 p.m.; free.
Enjoy music, field games, face painting and food at Langley’s football stadium, and receive an American flag. Guest artist Daniel Rodriguez, tenor and former NYPD policeman made famous after Sept. 11, will be performing. A fireworks display will begin at dusk.
Great Falls Dawn to Dusk Activities
Various locations; see www.greatfallsfriends.org for addresses and directions.
7:30 a.m.-dusk; free.
The day kicks off at 7:30 a.m. with a 5K walk/run departing from the Great Falls Freedom Memorial. The annual Baby Parade will be held on the Village Green at 8:30 a.m.; registration begins at 8 a.m. The Main Parade begins at the Village Green at 10 a.m., marching to the Safeway on Georgetown Pike. Afternoon food and activities will be held from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the Village Green. Evening games and activities will be held at Turner Farm at the corner of Georgetown Pike and Springvale Road, beginning at 6 p.m. and culminating in a fireworks display at dusk.
Warrenton’s Fourth of July Children and Pets Parade
Main Street, Warrenton; 540-349-8606; www.partnershipforwarrenton.org
10 a.m.-noon; free.
Historic Old Town Warrenton will be hosting its Independence Day parade for children and pets. No motor vehicles are permitted, but red, white and blue decorations will be provided for bicycles, wagons and pets. Anyone may parade down Main Street led by Uncle Sam, bagpipers, and a fife and drum corps. The parade ends at the Warrenton courthouse, where the community band will perform, fire trucks will be open for climbing, and ice cream and treats will be provided for children and pets.
Great Meadow’s 25th Birthday and July 4 Celebration
5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains; 540-253-5000; www.greatmeadow.org
9 a.m.-11:30 pm.; $20 per vehicle in advance, $40 at the gate.
Great Meadow’s Equestrian and Field Event Center will host an Arena Polo Match honoring the Wounded Warrior program, followed by a fireworks display. Children are invited to come enjoy pony rides, petting zoos, face painting and more.
Celebration at Franklin Park
17501 Franklin Park Dr., Purcellville; 540-338-7603; www.loudoun.gov/franklinpark
6-10 p.m.; $5 donation per person requested.
Enjoy a family-friendly night out with live music food, and a fireworks display at the park’s annual holiday celebration.
Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center Show
36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville; 540-339-7973; www.franklinparkartscenter.org
6 p.m.; $5 per carload.
Area musicians take the stage at 6 p.m. to put on a family-friendly show. Local folk group The Polka Dots open the show, followed by bluegrass group Acoustic Burgoo as the headliner. Food is available throughout the evening, and a fireworks show begins at dark.
Leesburg’s Independence Day Celebration at Ida Lee Park
60 Ida Lee Drive N.W., Leesburg; 703-777-1368; www.idalee.org
10 a.m.-10 p.m.; free.
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a parade starting at Ida Lee Park and traveling down King Street to Catoctin Circle. Evening events commence with gates opening to the public at 6 p.m. and live music at 7 p.m. by The Landsharks, performing Jimmy Buffett tributes and other summertime favorites. Finally, top off the night with the area’s largest fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
Celebration at Middleburg Community Center
300 W. Washington St., Middleburg; 540-687-6375; www.loudoun.gov/middleburgcc
6-9 p.m.; free.
Break out the swimsuits and floaties; the pool will be open from 11 a.m. onward. Music, games and contests will begin at 6 p.m. along with food being served. Fireworks begin at dusk!
Pride of Purcellville’s Fourth of July Parade
130 E. Main St., Purcellville; 703-727-7191; www.purcellvilleva.gov
noon-1 p.m.; ride and vendor fees vary.
The town’s annual parade begins at noon at Emerick Elementary School and will proceed through downtown Purcellville, ending at Loudoun Valley High School. Gather and enjoy children’s rides, entertainment and craft vendors while watching the parade.
Hillsboro Community Association’s Town Celebration
37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro; www.hillsborova.org
Fireworks begin at dusk. July 3; 6 p.m.; donations accepted.
Come out a day early to celebrate our independence on Friday at the Old Stone School. Hewn from the Mountain Band will perform live, as well as the Blue Ridge Thunder Cloggers. Barbecue chicken dinners will be sold, complemented by free ice cream, games, a moon bounce and chances to win prizes from local businesses.
Sterling’s Ol’ Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road, Sterling; 571-258-5700; www.loudoun.gov/claudemoorepark
10:30 a.m.-3 pm.; $5 donation per family requested.
Come out to Claude Moore Park for an old-fashioned Fourth of July set against the park’s historic backdrop. Tour the Lanesville/Vestal’s Gap historic district or Frogshackle Cottage Nature Center, take a pony or wagon ride, and enjoy music, crafts and nature exhibits. Live music and food vendors will also be present.
Lovettsville Community Celebration
57 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville; 540-822-5284; www.townoflovettsville.com
5:30 p.m.; free.
A parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Lovettsville Community Center and travels along East Broad Way to Lovettsville Elementary. Refreshments and activities will be offered at the community center starting at 6 p.m., followed by live entertainment by DC3 from 7-9 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.
Sperryville Celebration at Thornton Hill Race Course
4137 Sperryville Pike, Sperryville; 540-987-8124; www.sperryvillefire.com
1-11 p.m.; $20 per vehicle general admission, $30 per vehicle tailgate.
The Sperryville Volunteer Fire Department will host a community celebration complete with food, music and games. Public safety displays will be set up alongside antique tractors and cars. A raffle drawing of $2,500 will take place, and the top ticket seller will be crowned Mr. or Ms. Fourth of July. Fireworks begin at dusk.
Fabulous Fourth at Ferry Farm
268 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg; 540-370-0732; www.kenmore.org
10 a.m.-5 p.m.; $2 per person.
Bring the family out for three centuries’ worth of children’s games and demonstrations of colonial cooking and marksmanship at George Washington’s Boyhood Home. General Washington and members of his regiment will be on hand to immerse guests in interpretations of colonial chores such as spinning and weaving. Sign a copy of the Declaration of Independence with a quill pen and enjoy face painting, crafts, live music and food. Trolleys also run to the City of Fredericksburg celebration.
Holiday Wining and Dining
2941
2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church; 703-270-1500; www.2941.com
For all you history buffs, 2941 will display two antique copies of the Declaration of Independence in the dining room while serving a three-course, prix fixe menu ($58 per person). Entrees include steamed black sea bass, rabbit à la Provençal, and beef rib eye. The a la carte menu will be available as well. Dine with the Declaration of Independence starting at lunch on July 3 through July 5. On July 3, the restaurant will be open for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner from 5-10 p.m.; on July 4 and 5, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Call for reservations.
Bazin’s On Church
111 Church St. N.W., Vienna; 703-255-7212; www.bazinsonchurch.com
Celebrate with Bazin’s when you choose from a three-course tasting menu, pick up a summer picnic basket, grab some pulled-pork barbecue sandwiches for the family or just some wine on the go. The tasting menu will let you choose from Bazin’s marinated skirt steak and jumbo lump crab cakes, and three courses will cost you $40 per person. Summer picnic baskets will include fried chicken, melon salad and roasted corn salad for $24 per person, with a four-person minimum. Basket orders must be received 48 hours in advance.
Gadino Cellars
92 Schoolhouse Road, Washington, Va.; 540-987-9292; www.gadinocellars.com
Celebrate the day with a glass of Gadino Cellars medal-winning reds and whites, while listening to the blues. Cheese and summer sausage plates are available for purchase, picnic tables are provided to enhance your visit to the countryside, and the new bocce ball courts will be open and ready for play. 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; $5 tasting fee for wines.
Indigo Landing
One Marina Drive, Alexandria; 703-548-0001; www.indigolanding.com
If you’re looking for a meal with a view, Indigo Landing will have an outdoor buffet on the banks of the Potomac—a prime spot for fireworks viewing. For $75 ($50 for children under age 12), treat yourself and the family to barbecue, fried chicken, seafood and comfort-food sides such as corn on the cob and macaroni and cheese. There will be a complimentary champagne toast when the fireworks start. The buffet runs from 5-10 p.m. Call for reservations.
Matthew Hayes Riverboat
3 Cameron St., Alexandria; 202-686-5990; www.potomacriverboatco.com/matthew-hayes.php
Enjoy the fireworks on a luxury riverboat. Take a three-hour cruise along the Potomac on the Matthew Hayes riverboat, with a deejay spinning tunes. Tickets include two glasses of wine or beer and buffet dinner. 6:30 p.m.-midnight. Tickets are $99 per person.
Ireland’s Own
111 N. Pitt St., Alexandria; 703-549-4535; www.pattroysirishpub.com
11:30 p.m.-closing.
Not ready to go home after an exhilarating evening? Stroll down to Ireland’s Own for a Fourth of July after-party. You’re on your own for drinks, but you won’t want the celebration to end.
Tarara Vineyards
13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg; 703-771-7100; www.tarara.com
Sip Virginia wines under a slice of starry Virginia sky while Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’ rock out to the best of Journey. 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the gate.
Veramar Vineyards
905 Quarry Road, Berryville; 540-955-5510; www.veramar.com
If fireworks aren’t up your alley, join Veramar Vineyards for Cajun Day. Light Cajun lunch fare will be available for purchase, and admission includes wine tasting and music. Noon-6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person.
