Here's a summary of area events on the Fourth of July.

Date published: 7/1/2008

Fredericksburg

Heritage Festival

The streets of downtown Fredericksburg will be transformed into one big Independence Day party.

The annual Heritage Festival encompasses all day events, including a five mile run, crafts, river raft races and hours of music from local bands.

The day will begin with the five mile run at 7:45 a.m. This U.S. Track and Field sanctioned event will start on Caroline Street near the railroad station, and will take runners through the streets of downtown Fredericksburg, ending at the Visitor Center.

“Last year we had over 700 people for this event,” said Roberta Gold, event coordinator for the festival. “Although it is hard to tell how many people there are until they cross the finish line.”

Registration will begin at 6:15 a.m. at the Visitor Center.

The sixth annual Heritage Day Parade will follow at 9:30 a.m. What makes this event unique is that anyone can participate. There is no prior registration required. Anyone who wants to join the parade, just has to show up and get in line.

“We used to have a formal entry form, but it’s free, so we thought, why bother?” said Ayree Rice, management vice president for the Fredericksburg Jaycees, which sponsors this event.

The patriotic parade gets about about 1,000 onlookers each year, Rice said.

Kids on decorated bikes, parents pulling children in wagons and strollers and anyone else can participate.

However, it is not a motorized event, so floats and cars can’t participate.

The parade lasts about 30 minutes and begins on Caroline Street, ending at the post office on Wolfe Street. The streets will not be closed off for the parade, but a rolling road block will keep cars out of the way while the parade passes by.

Also sponsored by the Fredericksburg Jaycees is the 31st annual Rappahannock River Raft Race, one of the most popular Heritage Festival events, according to Rice.

The race begins at 11:30 a.m. but registration is at 7:30 a.m. at the Falmouth Waterfront Park, where the race will begin.

For those just watching the race, the Chatham Heights bridge makes a good lookout point—as does the city dock, where the race will conclude.

“Our goal is to have more people participate in the race than the year before,” Rice said. “Last year we had 23, so we hope to have at least that.”

What else is going on? These farther away Fourth of July events will still be fun despite the extra effort to get there. From 4 p.m. until dark, Great Meadow in The Plains, Va., will be hosting a Fourth of July spectacular, and expecting over 20,000 guests. The afternoon and evening will include children’s activities including a petting zoo, a climbing wall, music provided by Bluemont artists, a polo match and, of course, a fireworks display to end the day. Admission is $40 to park the car. For more information call 540/687-5099. Historic Mount Vernon is going back in time to celebrate the Fourth of July. The day will begin at 8 a.m. with “General and Mrs. Washington” greeting and taking pictures with guests. In the Revolutionary War Theatre “snow” falls on audience’s while Washington crosses the Delaware River. Other events include a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a viewing of a replica Liberty Bell and a procession to George Washington’s tomb for a special wreath-laying ceremony and more. For more information call 703/799-5203. “Boom ’n July” at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg will feature a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. from July 1 through the Fourth, that can be seen from everywhere in the park. The price of the show is included in park admission, which is $55.95 for ages 10 and older, $49.95 for ages 3–9 and free for children under 2. For more information call 757/253-3369. In Colonial Beach, an Independence Day Bazaar will be hosted at St. Elizabeth of Hungry Roman Catholic Church. The day will begin at 8 a.m. with a yard sale. Other activities will include a bake sale, children’s games, food vendors, music, raffles, silent auction and fireworks. For more information call 804/214-9018. Historic Port Royal Independence day Celebration will host a colonial military living history, colonial dancing, patriotic music, children’s activities, carriage rides and more, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event is located at St. Peter’s Church on Water Street in Port Royal. For more information call 804/752-5016.

Date published: 7/1/2008