4th of July celebrations blast off: Handy-dandy Tri-Cities fireworks, events list
TRI-CITIES — How are you going to celebrate America's 247th birthday? I compiled a handy-dandy list of events happening in and around our readership area. The first celebrations take place in historic Hopewell and Amelia.
On Saturday, July 1, City Point Ice Cream and Burgers and Artisan Alley will host a festival beginning at 5 p.m. on the 200 block of E. Broadway. There will be food trucks, activities for children and the party band Bustin' Loose will perform from 5 - 8 p.m. Downtown Thunder's car and bike show will feature custom builds, bikes and hot rods until it gets dark.
Fireworks on the Appomattox
Hopewell's Fireworks on the Appomattox event takes place Saturday, July 1 at 9:30 p.m. on the Hopewell waterfront.
The grand display fired from a barge on the river can be watched from multiple public viewing locations including the Hopewell City Marina, TriCities Hospital, City Park, Hopewell River Walk and historic downtown Hopewell. All spectator areas are first-come, first-served. Parking is not allowed at the hospital. Visit hopewellrecandparks.com for more info.
Amelia: Celebrate Independence!
Attend 2023 Celebrate Independence! presented by Field Day of the Past at Redfield Farm on Saturday, July 1 from 2 - 10 p.m. If you're an early bird, you can check out the 100-mile yard sale which begins at 7 a.m. The 2023 schedule is as follows...
2 p.m. — Gates and beer garden open, Amelia-based Dogged State Distilling Co. spirit tasting
2 - 5 p.m. — DJ
4 p.m. — Cornhole tournament begins
5 p.m. — Daybreak Band
6 p.m. — Truck and Tractor pulls on Field Day of the Past Pulling Track
7 p.m. — En'Novation Band
9 p.m. — Fireworks
10 p.m. — Beer garden closes
Ongoing activities include mechanical bull and pony rides, Freckles & Friends petting zoo, children's activities by Amelia 4-H, face painting and antique photography exhibit. The National Guard will sponsor a bouncy house, obstacle course and climbing wall.
Admission is $20 per person, 12 and younger are free. Redfield Farm is located at 11404 Circle Drive in Amelia. Follow Field Day of the Past on Facebook.
Shepherd Stadium
On Monday, July 3, the Tri-City Chili Peppers host an Independence Day celebration at 5:45 and take on the Olney Cropdusters at 7 p.m. After the game, the crowd will be treated to fireworks. This is the biggest game of the year! In 2022, tickets sold out at 2200 fans.
Shepherd Stadium is located at 901 Meridian Ave in Colonial Heights. Purchase tickets online at chilipeppersbaseball.com.
Fort Gregg-Adams
The U.S. Army post's Independence Day event will be held at Williams Stadium in Prince George on Monday, July 3 from 5-10 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
A DJ opens the event with a hit list sure to make everyone happy, and the U.S. Army TRADOC Band will play patriotic songs. Singer/songwriter Carrie Brockwell, American Idol Season 20 contestant, takes the stage at 7:15 p.m. to entertain the crowd.
The KidZone including bounce houses, sports challenges and climbing walls opens to everyone at 5 p.m. There will also be line dancing and soldier singing competitions. Attendees may purchase a delicious variety of fare from over 20 food trucks lined up around the stadium.
"Salute The Union," a rousing onstage tribute to our nation's 50 states which features live howitzer blasts, begins at 9 p.m. The spectacular fireworks begin at approximately 9:35 p.m.
All visitors age 18 and older must present a government-issued ID to be admitted on the installation. Personal pyrotechnics, tailgating, tents, umbrellas, glass bottles, smoking, backpacks, coolers and pets are not permitted in or around the event area. Clear plastic and mesh see-thru bags will be allowed.
For more information, visit gregg-adams.armymwr.com. If it rains on Monday, the event, weather-permitting, will take place the following evening on July 4 [fireworks, KidZone and U.S. Army TRADOC Band only].
Old Towne Petersburg
On Monday, July 3, head to Old Towne to attend the Independence Day Fireworks sponsored by and co-hosted with Trapezium Brewing Company. The event from 6 - 10 p.m. spans the Harbor area along River and Third Streets.
There will be food, pop-up beverage tents, family-friendly activities for kids, food trucks and Richmond-based DJ Kobe will be doing his thing. Remember to take lawn chairs and/or blankets. The Bigger, Better Fireworks Show begins approximately at 9 p.m. For parking and shuttle info, visit petersburg-va.org.
4th of July in the Heights
On Tuesday, July 4, you're invited to watch the Colonial Heights fireworks show which begins approximately at 9:15 p.m. The beauties in the sky can be viewed off Interstate 95, Exit 53 or 54 in the Southgate Square / Wal-Mart Area. For more information, contact the Colonial Heights Recreation and Parks Department at 804-520-9390. The rain date is Wednesday, July 5.
Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
Rain or shine, grab the kids and head out to the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 4 to view a wide-open kaleidoscope of magnificence. Gates open at 5 p.m.
This event at 10300 Courthouse Rd. includes food vendors, live music by The Tight Slacks band and a Kids Zone with bounce houses, slides, a juggler, a magician and a hula-hooper. Wristbands for the Kids Zone which closes at 8:30 p.m. are $5.
The band performs a range of covers from sweet dance tracks from Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake to saltier rock hits from the Strokes and Kings of Leon. Mixed in will be some Pat Benatar, Whitney Houston, '80s rock, Motown and more. The band will play sets at approximately 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. A DJ will also provide musical entertainment.
Food vendors include Beach Community Grange, Boca Tako, Chick-fil-A, Chili P's hot dogs, Crows Nest Cookies, FruitBowl, Hawk's BBQ Extreme, Jem's Catering, Kona Ice, Momma's BBQ, Papa John’s Pizza, Pop's Kettle Treats, Quinto Sol, Scoop’s Ice Cream and Strawberry Street Catering.
The free fireworks begin as soon as it gets dark. All traffic should enter parking areas via Krause Road. Parking is limited. Visit chesterfield.gov for more information including event and parking maps.
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Colonial Williamsburg
On Tuesday, July 4, head to the historic colonial village in Williamsburg. There will be a full day of events lined up which begins with the Reading of the Declaration of Independence at 9:30 a.m. A variety of live music and entertainment will entertain spectators throughout the afternoon and evening.
On the evening of America's birthday, view the free Lights Of Freedom fireworks above the Governor’s Palace at 9:30 p.m. Watch the heart-pounding, 20-minute display from the Palace Green, Market Square or the eastern side of the Lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Visit williamsburgfamilies.com for a full list of events and entertainment.
The Diamond in RVA
Attend the Independence Day celebration at The Diamond on Tuesday, July 4. The Richmond Flying Squirrels will play the Bowie Baysox. Gates opens at 5 p.m. and the first pitch is at 6:35 p.m. Stick around for the post-game fireworks show. Tickets are available at the box office or online at milb.com/richmond.
Amusement Parks
During Military Appreciation Week at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg July 1 – 8, enjoy nightly fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. The bursts of color will be set to a sizzling summer soundtrack that is sure to leave you in awe. Visit buschgardens.com for admission details and more info.
Kings Dominion's fireworks spectacular begins at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4 in Doswell. 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. Visit kingsdominion.com for more info and admission details.
Non-fireworks events
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Rain or shine, walk into Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond for free from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The complimentary admission includes Butterflies LIVE! [line closes at 3:30 p.m.] as well as Incanto: An Oasis of Lyrical Poetry, the premiere exhibition of New York City-based sculptor Kate Raudenbush with poetry by Sha Michele in a friendship born from the legendary Burning Man community.
Parking is limited, and once lots are full, the Garden will close gates temporarily. Gates will re-open once space becomes available. Visit lewisginter.org for more details.
Pamplin Historical Park
On Tuesday, July 4 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., attend the Independence Day Celebration at Pamplin Historical Park. Visitors will be invited to engage in conversation with founding father Benjamin Franklin portrayed by actor and historian Barry Stevens.
Additional programs include live music performed by the Harken Back String Band, period games, living historians portraying Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers, and a color guard ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance and a cannon fire salute.
Ticket holders may tour the Breakthrough Battlefield, also. All events and activities included with park admission. Pamplin Historical Park is located at 6125 Boydton Plank Road in Petersburg. Visit pamplinpark.org for admission prices and more information.
Have a safe, fun-packed Fourth of July!
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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Fourth of July celebrations blast off: Fireworks, events list
