HAMPTON — Across the country, localities will celebrate July 4 in honor of the day in 1776 in which representatives from the Continental Congress declared the colonies’ sovereignty from the British. Hampton, one of the oldest cities in the nation, played a pivotal role in America’s fight for independence. This year, the city will play host to a series of celebrations befitting of its historical importance in America’s march to freedom.
According to a release from the Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau, the city will have a variety of patriotic festivities and celebrations June 30 through July 4. These celebrations are as follows:
On Thursday, June 30 from 7pm to 8:15pm, bring your own chairs and picnic baskets while enjoying a performance by the United States Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band at 20 Ingalls Road on Fort Monroe. The program will include patriotic music as well as fan-favorite tunes from a variety of genres. Guests are asked to drop off at the Continental Park bus parking at Outlook Beach. This event is free and open to the public with large groups welcomed. Should there be inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Fort Monroe Theatre located at 41 Tidball Rd.
Starting on Friday, July 1 and running through Monday, July 4 from noon to midnight, Oozlefinch Beer and Blending, located at 81 Patch Rd. on Fort Monroe, will have its own patriotic celebrations. Activities include two new beer releases, a “bomb-pop”-inspired “fro-beer,” movie night, water balloon fights, sparklers, and more.
On Saturday, July 2 at 207 E. Mellen St. in Hampton, Peninsula Markets and Sly Clyde Ciderworks are partnering to host the Star-Spangled Makers Market. The event will feature more than 30 handmade vendors, live music, and food trucks, including Frank’s Monster Munchies. This event is free and open to the public.
On Saturday, July 2 from 7pm to 10pm, the Larry King Law’s Langley Speedway, located at 3165 N. Armistead Ave., will host a concert featuring the Cody Christian Band as part of its Virginia Sprint Car Series. Guests can also see best-in-show Virginia sprint cars, modifieds, twin super streets, twin ucars, and karts. For more information or tickets, please visit www.langley-speedway.ticketleap.com.
For more information on these Independence Day events and other events, visit the website Visit Hampton Virginia.