Local organizers in the Historic Triangle have coordinated a plethora of ways to celebrate the nation’s birth.
Colonial Williamsburg will celebrate July 4 with spectacular fireworks as well as music and special programming. Events kick off at 9:30am with Thomas Jefferson reading the Declaration of Independence from the Capitol West balcony.
Additional programming includes a Salute to the States with the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums and a musket volley in Market Square at 10:30am; a noon reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Colonial Courthouse; and Lights of Freedom, a celebration of the words and music of the American Revolution, beginning on Palace Green at 8pm. Guests are invited to bring chairs, blankets, and food to enjoy the concert.
Colonial Williamsburg is offering free admission to the Historic Area and Art Museums on Tuesday, July 4, in honor of Independence Day. Visitors can pre-register to claim complimentary tickets to the world’s largest American history museum on Colonial Williamsburg’s website.
“The struggle for freedom – on both a national and a personal level – is a core component of America’s identity, and much of that struggle took place here in Williamsburg,” said Cliff Fleet, president and CEO of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, in a prepared statement. “Offering free admission on Juneteenth and July 4 upholds our commitment to making Colonial Williamsburg’s educational resources accessible to as many people as possible so that together we can better understand our history and more effectively continue in our pursuit of a more perfect union.”
Historic Yorktown welcomes the public to its 44th Independence Day Celebration. The free family-friendly event includes activities on Historic Main Street and along the waterfront at Riverwalk Landing. Visitors can take advantage of special programming at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, which is free of charge for York County, James City County, and City of Williamsburg residents from 9am to 5pm.
Yorktown’s 4th of July Schedule of Events begins with an 8am Yorktown Independence Day 8K/5K Run/Walk, offered both virtually and in-person. Race Day registration and packet distribution begins at 7am and medals will be distributed at the finish line for the first 600 registered runners. A Patriotic Parade, coordinated by VFW 824, will be held along Water and Main streets, and kicks off at 9am.
Family activities, including outdoor games, and a hot dog eating contest will be held at 1pm at Yorktown Waterfront’s Riverwalk Landing. Phil Poteat, an acoustical guitarist, will perform at 2pm at Riverwalk Landing’s Performance Stage. The Patriotic Food Pavilion will open at 3pm at Riverwalk Landing.
Evening event parking opens at 4pm at the corner of Cook Road and Ballard Street at the Yorktown Battlefield.
Evening activities will begin at 7pm with a Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony, followed by a Fifes and Drums of York Town performance and reading of the Declaration of Independence at Riverwalk Landing’s Performance Stage. A Super Jazz Band Concert performance featuring Conni Ironmonger will follow at 8pm.
Yorktown’s fireworks display over the York River will begin at 9:15pm. Guests are encouraged to gather at the Yorktown Waterfront and Victory Monument for prime fireworks visibility.
The Yorktown Trolley will begin service after the parade. Running from approximately 10am to 5pm, the mode of transportation is free of charge and offers convenient stops at the York County Courts and Office Complex, the intersection of Main and Ballard streets at York Hall, Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, Watermen’s Museum, and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
For more information, consult Visit Yorktown’s website.