The Fourth of July holiday and the weekend before the holiday offer lots of local family fun with fireworks, festivals and food for the entire family to enjoy. How will you celebrate Independence Day? These events in Lynchburg and the surrounding area will help your family celebrate the birthday of the United States of America.
Salute to America takes place at Appomattox County High School on Saturday, July 1. Desmond Doss, Jr will share his father’s compelling story of heroism. Desmond Doss, a Lynchburg native, was the first non-combatant to receive the congressional medal of honor from President Harry Truman. The Desmond Doss story was the basis of the recently release movie “Hacksaw Ridge.” The event begins at 6 PM with a pre-screening of a documentary about Desmond Doss, patriotic music, the talk by Desmond Doss, Jr. at 7:30 PM, and a fireworks show at 9:30 PM. This free event is open to the public.
Lexington Annual Fireworks and Festival takes place on Sunday, July 2 from 2-9 PM. This event moves this year from its previous location (VMI campus and parade grounds) to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. Parking is $5 per car with free admission to the event.
Smith Mountain Lake Fireworks show takes place on Sunday, July 2, starting at 5:30 PM at Parkway Marina. The cost is $10 per car load. Admission to the YMCA Kidz Zone is $5 per child with unlimited admission. The rain date for this event is Monday, July 3rd.
July 4th Celebration: Balloons Over Rockbridge, takes place daily on July 3-5 from 2-5 PM at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. This festival includes hot air balloons, live local music, local food trucks, Devils Backbone Brewery, Rockbridge Vineyards, local fire departments, and much more. The event is free with a $5 per car parking fee.
Celebrate America! takes place at Thomas Road Baptist Church on Sunday, July 3, beginning at 5 PM with fireworks at dusk. This event features Slidezilla, rides, games, patriotic music, bounce houses, and more. The event is free.
The Independence Day Fireworks Show takes place on Monday, July 3 at dusk in Bedford. The fireworks will be set off from the D-Day Memorial. Handicap parking will be available at the Welcome Center. There will be free parking offered at Liberty Lake Park as well. Please note that there is NO PARKING on Rt. 460 or the exit ramps.
The Independence Day parade on Village Highway in Concord begins at 10 AM on Tuesday, July 4. There will be fire engines, antique cars, musical tributes and more. Bring your chair and your pride.
The Independence Day parade on Front Street in Lovingston on Tuesday, July 4, begins with the children's bike parade at 10 AM., followed by parade at 11 AM. Parade includes children's bike parade, patriotic units, floats, horses, antique motor vehicles, motorcycles, patriotic music, fire and rescue vehicles and more. Bring your chair and an American flag to wave.
The 32nd Annual 4th of July Children's Bike Parade down Main Street in Lexington begins at 11 a.m. Bring your kids and their bikes to begin decorating at 10 a.m. Make this long-standing community tradition your new tradition.
Independence Day at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest takes place July 4 from 11 AM to 4 PM. Enjoy music, dancing, storytelling, games, historic entertainment and the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Admission is $9 for ages 15 and older with free admission for children 14 and under.
Independence Day at Red Hill, the Patrick Henry National Memorial site in Brookneal, begins at 3:00 PM on July 4. Patrick Henry's speech takes place at 7 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Admission is $10 per car - up to 5 passengers; $2 for each additional passenger. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets.
Enjoy an evening with the Lynchburg Hillcats on July 4 at Lynchburg City Stadium. The game begins at 6:30 PM, followed by a fireworks show.
If you'll be in the Roanoke area for the 4th of July, check out Roanoke's signature July 4th event:
Fireworks on the 4th, Roanoke's signature event, takes place on Tuesday, July 4th with music and festivities starting at 7:00 PM at River's Edge Sports Complex. The fireworks show begins at approximately 9:30 PM. Admission is free.
For more Roanoke area July 4th festivities, visit the Roanoke Macaroni Kid website.
Maybe you're planning to celebrate with a weekend at the beach, Washington DC or your favorite Virginia State Park. Perhaps your family will host or attend a block party or cookout.
However your family celebrates the anniversary of the publication of our country's Declaration of Independence, fly your American flag and give thanks for the gift of freedom!
