Independence Celebration Jam to live music by Lord Nelson with opener Cake Fight. There will be an open grill serving up burgers, hotdogs, and snacks as well as food trucks. Fireworks at dusk. Boar’s Head Resort, 200 Ednam Dr. boarsheadresort.com
Red, White, and Blue in Greene A big Independence Day celebration in the small town of Stanardsville. Enjoy live country music and food vendors leading up to fireworks at 9:45pm. Morris Field, 13510 Spotswood Trl., Ruckersville. rwbng.org
Fourth of July Parade in Scottsville Parade at 9am hosted by the Scottsville Fire Department. Fireworks over the James River at dusk. 141 Irish Rd., Scottsville. scottsville.org
Grave’s Mountain Farm and Lodge Afternoon picnic, evening lodge dinner, music by The Unsuitables, pony rides, and craft vendors. Fireworks at 9pm. 205 Graves Mountain Ln., Old Blue Ridge Tpk., Syria. gravesmountain.com
Wintergreen’s July Jubilee Pool party, live music, racquet sports competitions, artisan market, chairlift rides, children’s block party, and a magic show at Wintergreen Resort. Fireworks at 9:30pm on July 6. Wintergreen Resort, 39 Mountain Inn Loop, Nellysford. wintergreenresort.com (Through July 8)
The rocket's red glare, the comfy lawn chair—you get the picture. Happy 4th of July! Photo: Jack Looney
From the mountains of Wintergreen to the valley where Scottsville sits, the Charlottesville area is exploding with Independence Day celebrations. Bonus: Since July 4 falls on a Thursday this year, party time stretches out over a long weekend. What this means is that, in addition to barbecuing in your local park or backyard, you can also partake in one (or more) of the many patriotic offerings by local municipalities and businesses. Boom! Just like that.
June 29
Crozet Independence Day Parade and Celebration
The parade, led by the volunteer fire department, starts at Crozet Elementary School and snakes along Crozet Avenue through downtown to Claudius Crozet Park, where all sorts of fun will ensue. Roots rock band Jacabone takes the stage, and kids’ games and rides (including bounce houses and laser tag) will be available, along with plenty of food. Adults can enjoy local refreshments by Bold Rock Cidery, and Starr Hill and Pro Re Nata breweries. 5pm parade and party, 9:30pm fireworks, suggested donation $4 per adult and $2 per child 12 or younger, crozetcommunity.org.
June 30
Free Union Independence Day Parade
Decorate a wagon, bicycle, scooter, dog, horse, or float and join the parade from the Church of the Brethren to Free Union Baptist Church. 4pm, free, Millington Road, Free Union 973-7361.
Charlottesville’s Khizr Khan, whose speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention made him a prominent advocate for religious tolerance, will deliver the keynote address at Monticello’s July 4 naturalization ceremony. Photo: Eze Amos
July 4
4th of July in Scottsville
The little town on the James River’s annual Independence Day features a morning parade led by the Scottsville Volunteer Fire Department, complete with floats and musical performances. The party continues all day long and into the night at Dorrier Park, with more music, food, and fireworks. This is a biggie—estimated attendance is 7,000! 9am-10pm, free, James River Road, Scottsville. 531-6030, scottsville.org/events.
Independence Day Concert and Celebration
Celebrate at the home of President James Monroe, a Revolutionary War veteran who died July 4, 1831. Enjoy a live performance by musicians from the Heifetz International Music Institute, as well as children’s crafts and historic games. 2pm, free, 2050 James Monroe Pkwy. 293-8000, highland.org.
Independence Day Celebration at the Frontier Culture Museum
This annual event includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, games, a pie eating contest, crafts, and historical re-enactments. 9am, free, 1290 Richmond Rd., Staunton. (540)332-7850, frontiermuseum.org.
July 4th at Monticello
Monticello hosts its 57th annual Independence Day celebration with a not-to-be-missed naturalization ceremony; this year, more than 70 people will take the oath to become U.S. citizens. (The scheduled tour of Thomas Jefferson’s residence is sold out.) The keynote speaker is Charlottesville resident and Gold Star parent Khizr Khan, whose son, UVA grad and U.S. Army Captain Humayun Khan, died in 2004 trying to stop a suicide bomber in Iraq, and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Since Khan’s headline-making speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2016, he has continued to advocate for religious tolerance. 9am, free, 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy., 984-9800; attendees are urged to register at monticello.org for free shuttle transportation to the event from Piedmont Virginia Community College (501 College Dr.), monticello.org.
Nelson County Fourth of July Parade
Nelson County kicks off Independence Day with a children’s bicycle parade followed by a bigger one with floats, marching bands, antique cars, and more. 10am, free. Front Street, Lovingston, 906-1200, nelsoncounty-va.gov.
Patriotism in the Park
McIntire Park is the epicenter of Charlottesville’s July 4 celebration, with local bands, food, and family-friendly activities leading up to the annual fireworks display. 5pm, free, shuttle service available from the Albemarle County Office Building and Charlottesville High School, 970-3260.
Red, White, Blue in Greene Independence Day Celebration
Greene County’s celebration begins this year with a parade down Main Street, and the festivities end with a major fireworks display. Live music, food trucks, and many activities for children and adults. 5-10pm, free, Stanardsville, (540)290-8344, rwbng.org.
Happy Birthday America at Carter Mountain Orchard
Hayrides, family-friendly games, live music all day, and a nearly 360-degree view of the area’s fireworks displays. Oh, and adult beverages from the Bold Rock Tap Room and the Prince Michel Wine Shop. Noon-9:30pm, 1435 Carters Mountain Trail, 977-1833, chilesfamilyorchards.com
July 4-7
July 4th Jubilee
Wintergreen Resort’s celebration churns on through the weekend with live music and activities including a bonfire, arts and crafts, stargazing, an outdoor movie, a block party for kids, chairlift rides, games, and axe throwing (yes, you read that correctly). 9am July 4 through 8pm July 7, activity prices and times vary, Route 664, Wintergreen, 325-2200, wintergreenresort.com/July-4th-Jubilee.
This week you won’t be able to wave a sparkler without hitting a parade, concert or fireworks display. Here’s a list of some our favorite Independence Day happenings.
June 29-July 4
July 4th Jubilee The United States is having a birthday and Wintergreen Resort is hosting a four-day celebration with live music, a bonfire, arts and crafts, stargazing, a movie under the stars, a block party for kids, chairlift rides, games and, of course, fireworks—at 9:30pm on July 3. Prices and times vary. Route 664, Wintergreen. 325-2200.
June 30
Crozet Independence Day Parade and Celebration Parade through downtown Crozet to Claudius Crozet Park for a celebration that includes live music, kids’ games and rides, bounce houses, laser tag, food and fireworks. Free, 5pm. Crozet Ave.
July 1
Free Union Independence Day Parade Decorate your wagon, bicycle, scooter, dog, horse, float, even your lawn mower, and join the parade from the Church of the Brethren to Free Union Baptist. Free, 4pm. Millington Rd., Free Union. 973-7361.
July 4
4th of July in Scottsville The city of Scottsville hosts its annual Fourth of July parade, complete with floats, musical performances and the Scottsville Volunteer Fire Department, followed by a party in Dorrier Park that includes more music, food and fireworks at dusk. Free, 9am. James River Rd., Scottsville. 531-6030.
Earlysville 4th of July Parade This annual parade features floats, bicycles, antique cars, wagons, horse-drawn buggies, scout troops, music, food and more. Sponsored by the Earlysville Area Residents League. Free, 3pm. Earlysville Rd.
Independence Day at James Monroe’s Highland Celebrate the nation’s birthday at the home of President James Monroe, a Revolutionary War veteran who died July 4, 1831. Activities include tours of Monroe’s home, live music from the Heifetz International Music Institute, children’s crafts and historic games. Free, 11am. 2050 James Monroe Pkwy. 293-8000.
Independence Day Celebration at the Frontier Culture Museum This annual Fourth of July celebration includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, historic games, a pie-eating contest, crafts and historical re-enactments. Free, 9am. 1290 Richmond Rd., Staunton. (540) 332-7850.
July 4th at Monticello Monticello hosts its 55th annual Independence Day celebration and naturalization ceremony, which features guest speaker Andrew Tisch, a businessman, civic leader and co-author of Journeys: An American Story. Visitors can also see a rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation on display. Free, 9am. 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. 984-9800.
Nelson County Fourth of July Parade Nelson County kicks off Independence Day with a children’s bicycle parade at 10am, followed by the main parade, which begins at 11am, with floats, marching bands, antique cars and more. Free. Front St., Lovingston. 906-1200.
CBS19’s Patriotism in the Park Local bands, food and family-friendly activities precede the annual fireworks display over McIntire Park. Free, 5pm. Parking is available at the Albemarle County Office Building and Charlottesville High School, and shuttles are provided. 970-3260.
Tom Sox vs. Waynesboro Generals The Tom Sox take on the Waynesboro Generals under the lights of C-VILLE Weekly Ballpark. When the game’s over, remain in your (nearly) front-row seat for the fireworks at nearby McIntire Park. $2, 6 pm. Charlottesville High School, 1400 Melbourne Rd.
The best thing about staying in town for the long July 4th weekend is that you can’t wave a sparkler without hitting a parade, concert or fireworks display. What follows is a list of some our favorite Independence Day happenings.
July 1-4
July 4th Jubilee: The United States is having a birthday, and Wintergreen Resort is hosting a four-day celebration with live music, a bonfire, arts and crafts, stargazing, a movie under the stars, beach olympics, chairlift rides, games and, of course, fireworks—on July 3 at 9:30pm. Prices and times vary. Route 664, Wintergreen. 325-2200, wintergreenresort.com/July-4th-Jubilee/.
July 2
Crozet Independence Day Parade and Celebration Parade to Claudius Crozet Park through downtown for a celebration that includes live music, kids’ games and rides, bounce houses, laser tag, food and fireworks. Free, 5pm. Crozet Avenue. facebook.com/Crozet.Independence.Day.Celebration/.
July 3
Free Union Independence Day Parade Decorate a wagon, bicycle, scooter, dog, horse or float and join the parade from the Church of the Brethren to Free Union Baptist. Free, 4pm. Millington Road, Free Union. 973-7361.
July 4
4th of July in Scottsville The city of Scottsville hosts its annual 4th of July parade, complete with floats, musical performances and the Scottsville Volunteer Fire Department, followed by a party in Dorrier Park that includes more music, food and fireworks at dusk. Free, 9am. James River Road, Scottsville. 531-6030.
Independence Day at James Monroe’s Highland Celebrate the nation’s birthday at the home of President James Monroe, a Revolutionary War veteran who died July 4, 1831. Activities include live music, children’s crafts and historic games. Free, 9am. 2050 James Monroe Parkway. 293-8000, highland.org/event/independence- day-celebration/.
Independence Day Celebration at the Frontier Culture Museum This annual 4th of July celebration includes a reading of the Declaration of Independence, games, contests, crafts and historical reenactments. Free, 9am. 1290 Richmond Rd., Staunton. (540) 332-7850.
July 4th at Monticello Monticello hosts its 54th annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony, which features guest speaker Dr. Larry J. Sabato, founder and director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Free, 9am. 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. 984-9800, monticello.org/site/visit/events/july-4th-monticello.
Nelson County Fourth of July Parade Nelson County kicks off Independence Day with a children’s bicycle parade at 10am, followed by the main parade, which begins at 11am with floats, marching bands, antique cars and more. Free. Front Street, Lovingston. 906-1200.
Stanardsville Independence Day Celebration This year’s parade down Main Street includes two grand marshals: Tom Hayes and Haywood Lawson, Greene County’s last-known surviving World War II veterans. After the parade, enjoy games, concessions, live music, a living history exhibit, tethered balloon rides, a car show, water balloon battle, raffle and fireworks. Free, 10am. Main Street, Stanardsville. thestanardsvilleparade@gmail.com.
Earlysville 4th of July parade The 20th annual parade features floats, bicycles, antique cars, wagons, horse-drawn buggies, scout troops, music, food and more. Free, 3pm. Earlysville Road.
Patriotism in the Park Local bands, food and family-friendly activities precede the annual fireworks display over McIntire Park. Free, 5pm. (Parking is available at the Albemarle County Office Building and Walker Upper Elementary School, and shuttles are provided.) 970-3260.
Tom Sox vs Waynesboro Generals The Tom Sox take on the top-ranked Waynesboro Generals under the lights of C-VILLE Weekly Ballpark. When the game’s over, remain in your (nearly) front-row seat for the fireworks at nearby McIntire Park (see above). $2, 6 pm 1400 Melbourne Rd. tomsox.org.
