|
|
|
|
All News & Blogs
E-mail Alerts
Kira Runkle, in modified Statue of Liberty attire, got into /ROBERT A. MARTIN/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place |
BY LIANA BAYNE
If you're heading out to enjoy everything the Fredericksburg area has to offer today, don't forget sunscreen and water.
Jared Klein, a National Weather Service forecaster in Sterling, said this Fourth of July will be hot and sunny. Highs will be in the mid-90s, but the heat index could be close to 100. Klein also said the humidity today would be higher than earlier this week.
"Sensitive individuals should avoid prolonged exposure to the heat," he said. "Try to find shade in the afternoon."
Klein said there's a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms this afternoon or tonight--but only a 5 percent chance of severe storms.
Local event organizers said the weather forecast won't change their plans for today.
Roberta Gold, the coordinator of Fredericksburg's Heritage Festival, said
Other event coordinators in Culpeper, Dahlgren and Ferry Farm said the heat and recent power outages won't cancel or change plans.
Make your event attendance as safe as possible with water, shade and sunscreen.
Officials with the Virginia Department of Forestry and the Fredericksburg Fire Department urged caution with home fireworks displays. Conditions across much of the state are right to spark a fire because less-than-average rainfall has left a lot of dry grass and brush.
They also warned residents to be careful with children and fireworks, too. Sparklers, popular with kids, can reach temperatures upwards of 1,200 degrees.
Other tips include: Light only one firework at a time; don't re-light fireworks that didn't go off the first time; and keep dogs away from fireworks.
A cooking fire or bonfire could also spark a brush fire, so the Forestry Department suggests keeping water, a rake and a shovel on hand.
Fredericksburg Deputy Fire Chief Mike Jones urged people to be careful around the Rappahannock River.
"The river looks tranquil," he said, "but once you get in the water there are rocks and holes."
Jones said that even if it's not raining in Fredericksburg, a thunderstorm upriver can cause the water level to rise, making the river unsafe.
|
Heritage Festival Five-Mile Run. Registration starts 6:30 a.m. at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center. Race starts at 7:45 a.m. 540/371-4811.
Heritage Day Parade, Caroline Street to Princess Anne Street to Lafayette Boulevard. Prizes for best costume and most creative bicycle. 9:30 a.m. 540/371-4811. Festival of the Streets, downtown Fredericksburg. Live entertainment, crafts, classic-car show, dunking booth, children's activities. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 540/371-4811. Ferry Farm's Fabulous Fourth of July, George Washington's Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Highway. Trolleys will run to and from downtown Fredericksburg and the Eagles lodge, Cool Spring Road. Rappahannock River Raft Race. Begins at 11:30 a.m. at Falmouth Waterfront Park and ends at City Dock. 540/371-4811. Independence Day Spectacular, Independence Day Celebration, Fourth of July Celebration, Main Street, Davis Street and Yowell Meadow Park, Culpeper. Sporting events, patriotic speeches, parade, children's activities, entertainment, fireworks. Rock the Fourth -- SOLD OUT, Massad YMCA Water Park, 212 Butler Road. $15 for general public includes a meal ticket, games and a front-row seat for the fireworks show at Pratt Park. Children 2 and younger admitted free. 6-10 p.m. 540/371-9622 13th annual Fourth of July Car and Bike Show, downtown Culpeper, Davis Street and The Depot. Custom, classic, and antique cars, hot rods, street rods, motorcycles and trucks. Classic Mustangs (1964-73) will be featured. DJ music, food, raffle. Register 8-10 a.m. $10 in advance, $15 on-site. Show is Fourth of July Celebration, Dahlgren, King George County. Music by Glass Onion Band, followed by a performance by Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (sons of Ricky Nelson), children's games, crafts, talent show, zip line, car show (register July 4th Celebration, Colonial Beach. Trolley service, boat tours and fireworks from the municipal pier; colonialbeach .org. |