Gearing up for some July Fourth festivities

DESPITE ROUGH WEEKEND AND PERSISTENT HEAT, AREA HAS A LOT TO OFFER ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

RELATED: Enjoy Fourth of July, but take some precautions

BY LIANA BAYNE

The Free Lance-Star

Fourth of July activities around the Fredericksburg area will go on as planned despite the heat and Friday night’s massive storm that caused widespread power outages.

Roberta Gold, coordinator of the Fredericksburg Heritage Festival, said no changes are planned for Wednesday’s events.

“As far as I know, everything is a go,” Gold said.

She said there would be one misting tent available during the Festival of the Streets downtown. The tent is always at the festival, and others won’t be installed.

“It’s never been less than 95 degrees,” Gold said. She’s coordinated the festival for the past 13 years.

The National Weather Service forecast now calls for the high to reach 96 in Fredericksburg on Wednesday.

Water will be available for sale, she said.

Staying hydrated is key for people venturing to outdoor festivals on the Fourth.

High temperatures took a toll on 10 to 12 people who were treated for heat-related illnesses—all non-life-threatening—at the Spotsylvania Stars and Stripes Spectacular Saturday evening, said Spotsylvania spokeswoman Kathy Smith.

She said county officials distributed bottled water and were on the lookout for anyone who needed help. The event also had a misting tent to cool people off.

“Every place you went, bottles of water were handed out to people,” Smith said.

Organizers of July Fourth events hope to help people stay cool when they come out on Wednesday.

Paula Raudenbush of George Washington’s Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm said they would try to provide water to attendees, and that there is ample shade on the property off State Route 3 east in southern Stafford County.

“Hopefully the weather will cooperate,” she said.

Jessica Brewer of the Culpeper Renaissance group said the classic car show and other events in Culpeper would continue as planned. She said the planning groups hope to add extra fans or cooling areas.

Also, according to a press release from the Virginia State parks, 31 parks will be open as usual and ready for visitors on the Fourth. As of Monday, only three parks—none in the Fredericksburg area—had no power and were closed. Go online to virginiastateparks.gov to check out information and status of the parks.

To check on any changes in events on the Fourth, contact the coordinators on the accompanying list.

Folks taking part in Independence Day festivities outdoors should drink water and apply sunscreen often. Young children and older people can be especially at risk in high heat.

“We tell them to bring water and dress cool,” Gold said.

CELEBRATING THE NATION’S BIRTHDAY

JULY 4

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. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 540/371-3363.

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, Pratt Park, 120 River Road, Stafford. Opens at 6 p.m. Music by the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra at 8 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and picnic. 540/371-4811.

Independence Day Celebration, Port Royal. Reading of the Declaration of Independence, patriotic music, 18th-century dancing, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, living-history encampment, children’s games, surrey rides. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. 804/633-7006.

Fourth of July Celebration, Main Street, Davis Street and Yowell Meadow Park, Culpeper. Sporting events, patriotic speeches, parade, children’s activities, entertainment, fireworks. 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Rain date for fireworks and park events: July 5. 540/829-8278.

Rock the Fourth, 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 (EVENT IS SOLD OUT)

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 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to spectators. 540/825-4416; culpeperdowntown .com.

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 in advance at 540/653-8785). Events begin at 4 p.m. Free. All attendees over the age of 16 must provide a photo ID to get onto the base. Lawn chairs permitted. coolers, alcohol, personal firearms, fireworks, awnings and pets are banned. 866/359-5540 or

540/653-8153.

July 4th Celebration, Colonial Beach. Trolley service, boat tours and fireworks from the municipal pier; colonialbeach.org.

July 4th Celebration, Graves’ Mountain Lodge, Syria. Pony rides, food, music by Dry Run Band, fireworks. 4–10 p.m. Free. 540/923-4231.

Independence Day Celebration, Great Meadow Foundation, 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains. Stick pony races, face painting, petting zoo, rain machine, helicopter displays, rocketry launches and polo matches. 4–10 p.m. $40 per vehicle. 540/253-5000.

JULY 6

Fourth of July Children and Pets Parade, downtown Warrenton. Parade of children, bikes, wagons and pets marches down Main Street; Fauquier Community Band performs at the Old Courthouse.

6 p.m. 540/349-8606.

Liana Bayne: 540/374-5444

lbayne@freelancestar.com

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