RVA Fireworks on the James, Patriotic Family Fun, rescheduled for Saturday, July 5th, fireworks around 9:15. Event is Free, things allowed: lawn chairs, blankets, food, unopened, sealed, plastic water/beverage bottles only, not allowed: pets, tents, alcohol, glass of any kind, metal containers. Details http://www.fireworksonthejames.com/.
The public is also invited to enjoy RVA Fireworks on the James at The Virginia War Memorial, 621 South Belvidere Street. Visitors encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. The Memorial’s Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center will be open Saturday from 9am until 10pm, fireworks scheduled around 9:45pm. Details http://www.vawarmemorial.org or call 804-786-2060.
58th Festival of Arts at Dogwood Dell, Fourth of July Celebration starts at 5:15 with Bak N Da Day, The Carillon Bell Concert at 7pm, Richmond Concert Band at 7:30 and Fireworks following. Free shuttle service from City Stadium to Dogwood Dell.
Other concerts/events at Dogwood Dell – Sunday, July 6th, Plunky and Oneness performs on the Dell Stage at 8pm; July 10th, Elegba Folklore Society 8:30pm; July 11th, David Esleck 8pm; Events at Dogwood Dell are free and open to the public, for details visit http://www.richmondgov.com/parks/documents/BrochureDogwoodDell.pdf or call 804-646-3677 or 804-646-5733. Shuttle service will be running from City Stadium to Dogwood Dell for the celebration.
4th at the Fort, Friday, July 4th at Williams Stadium, Fort Lee, from 5-10pm, featuring local singing group En’Novation and Fort Lee’s 392nd Army Band, as well as a kidzone play area and fireworks display. Lee Avenue & A Avenue gates will open to all traffic from 3-11pm. No personal pyrotechnics, tailgating, glass bottles, smoking and pets are not permitted in or around the event area. Coolers no larger than 6-by-6-by-12 inches are permitted, food and beverage vendors will be on site. A valid state or government issued ID card with photo is required for anyone 18 or older. Details facebook.com/FortLeeFMWR or 804-765-3176.
Old Fashioned Fourth of July at Meadow Farm Museum/Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, Henrico, from 1-5pm, free. Featuring a reading the Declaration of Independence by Living History Associates, Ltd., traditional drum and fife music, and a musket salute. Two stages with performances by the Heavy Duty Bluegrass Band and Julius Pittman and the Revival and the Diggity Dudes, give-a-ways, arts and crafts, face painting, airbrush tattoo, games, pony rides, a watermelon feast and yours of Meadow Farm Museum and the Orientation Center and new this year Pirate’s Paradise play area featuring sea chanteys by local favorite The Press Gang, details http://www.henricorecandparks.com.
Spend July 4th at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Posing Beauty in African-American Culture through July 27th and Identity Shifts, & First Fridays: July 5th Fado Nosso, traditional and modern blues of Portugal, 6-8pm, http://vmfa.museum/ or call 804-340-1400.
James River Cellars Winery, July 4th, Friday afternoon version of Sundays In The Shade, winery opens 11am – 5pm, live music 1pm – 4pm; Saturday, July 5th, 2nd annual Smoke & Vine Festival, 4pm- 10pm, sampling of wines from James River Cellars Winery and Cigar Realm; lawn chairs and blankets suggested, parking at the winery, shuttles from Virginia Center Commons for overflow. Winery at exit 86B (Elmont), second stoplight turn right on Route 1 (Washington Highway), winery at 11008 Washington Highway, Glen Allen, http://www.jamesrivercellars.com, advance tickets $20, http://www.smokeandvinefestival.com, or 804-986-2902 or 804-727-7951.
CarMax Free Fourth of July at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, 9am – 5pm, includes entrance to Butterflies LIVE! Exhibit, events in the children’s garden from 1 – 4pm, http://www.lewisginter.org/events/event_detail.php?event_id=1095 or 804-262-9887.
Independence Day Reenactments Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech at St. John’s Church, 2401 East Broad Street, doors open at 1:15, music program at 1:30, reenactment at 1:45, event is free suggested donation $5. details http://historicstjohnschurch.org/event/independence-day-reenactment or call 804-648-5015.
Fourth of July Commemoration at Pamplin Park, 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg, a full schedule of daily programs, including 4th of July Commemoration and Artillery Demonstration at 1pm, rifle demos, Civil War tours, combat film and more, details http://www.pamplinpark.org/ or call 804-861-2408.
Ashland Fourth of July Festivities non-motorized parade, starts at 11am at Henry Clay Elementary School on Hanover Avenue and marches to Hanover Arts and Activities Center, 500 South Center Street, features contests, music, crafts, games and more, details http://hanoverarts.org/.
Colonial Heights Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza off Charles Dimmock Parkway, 116 Southgate Square, Best viewing spots off Interstate 95, Exit 53 or 54 in the Southgate Square/Wal-Mart area, fireworks start at 9:15, rain date July 5, bring your lawn chairs and blankets, this is a free event.
Fourth of July Celebration Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, from 5pm – 10pm, children’s area and entertainment, no alcohol, glass bottles, pets or personal fireworks. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. Gates open at 5pm, fireworks at dark, there’s limited parking, roads leading to the fairgrounds will be closed at 9pm or when parking lots are full. Details: 804-748-1623 http://www.chesterfield.gov/EventDetails.aspx?id=8590041261.
Meherrin Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Fourth of July Celebration, stew & bake sale, inside craft show until 2pm, outside craft & food vendors from 2pm on, kids zone inside the fire Station, free games, prizes, bike raffle, glow necklaces, fire prevention & crafts and live music around 3pm. Fireworks at dusk, free but donations accepted. Details http://www.mvfrco5.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/meherrinvfr.
Other Weekend Events: Gospel Jazz Fest @ Fairmount, Saturday, July 5th, 3pm- 7pm at 1920 Fairmount Avenue, presented by Bethlehem Baptist Church in cooperation with Healthy “U” 7th District Health & Wellness Initiative, performances include Ban Caribe, Debo Dabney & Curv Appeal, Saxophonist Gregory Amos, Music Ministries of Bethlehem Baptist Church and other gospel choirs from throughout the city. There will also be health screenings, games and crafts, face painting and finger printing for children, and fire, police and the Sheriff’s departments will be on hand, for details call 804-643-3404.
Virginia Repertory Theatre “The Color Purple” through August 3rd, featuring Desiree Roots Centeio, Felicia Curry, Jerold Solomon, Carolyn Minor-Daughtry and Josh Marin, evening performances 8pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday and 7pm on select Wednesdays; matinee performances at 4pm on Sunday and 2pm on select Wednesdays and Saturdays, tickets range $48 – $60, valet parking $8, details http://www.va-rep.org or call 804-282-2620.
For a more detailed Independence Day Fireworks Guide visit: http://wtvr.com/2014/06/30/fireworks-july-2014-guide/
