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<ro1>Annual July 4th Independence Day Celebration
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The City of Falls Church Recreation & Parks is sponsoring its annual July 4 Independence Day Celebration at George Mason High School. Activities and entertainment start at 7 p.m. and will go until 9:30 p.m. The firework display is sure to be a spectacular end to the evening. George Mason High School is located at 7124 Leesburg Pike in Falls Church. For more information, call the events hotline at 703-248-5178.
<ro1>Musical Entertainment and Fireworks
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Fairfax High School will be hosting a July 4 celebration with musical entertainment and fireworks. The City of Fairfax Band, Eric Felton and Swing Set will be among the musical acts giving live performances. The event goes from 7-10:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Shuttle buses will run from 6-11 p.m. from Woodson High School; no parking will be available at Fairfax High School. Fairfax High is located at 3500 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax. For more information, call Leslie Herman at 703-385-7858.
<ro1>Evening Activities and Fireworks Display
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Langley High School promises to entertain this Fourth of July with entertainment and fireworks from 6-10 p.m.. The fireworks display will take place after dark; enjoy free musical performances, food, games, and activities such as face-painting for children beforehand. Langley High School is located at 6520 Georgetown Pike in McLean. Call 703-790-0123 for more information.
<ro1>Independence Day Celebration
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Come celebrate Independence Day at the Herndon Community Center this year. The event is free and activities include kick-ball, sack races, arts and crafts and Bingo. Spend the evening with family and friends while being entertained by clowns, jugglers, and fireworks. Festivities go from 6:30-10 p.m. The Center is located at 814 Ferndale Ave. in Herndon. Call 703-787-7300 for more information.
<ro1>Fourth of July Fireworks
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Enjoy live music, good food and children’s activities from 6-9 p.m. at Manassas Park. A lively fireworks display will start after dark. Parking is $3 and limited. Manassas Park is located at 9300 Signal View Dr. in Manassas. Call 703-335-8872 for more information.
<ro1>Leesburg Fourth of July Celebration and Parade
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The city of Leesburg offers up a night of patriotic fun this Fourth of July at Ida Lee Park. The celebration and parade will take place from 5-9:30 p.m. The festivities begin with a crowd-pleasing parade through the historic streets of Leesburg, followed by food and fireworks later on in the evening. Admission is $2. Ida Lee Park is located at 50 Ida Lee Drive in Leesburg. Call 703-777-1368 for more information.
<ro1>Fourth of July Concert
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Come out to celebrate the Fourth of July and support a good cause all in one night! St. Paul’s Church will be hosting a free concert, but donations made to benefit their music ministries would be greatly appreciated. The concert is open to the public and will feature St. Paul’s organist, Douglass A. Beck. Bring family and friends of all ages to enjoy a night of music from 10-10:45 p.m. The church is located at 228 S. Pitt St. in Alexandria. Call Morgan Hilton at 703-549-3312 for more information.
<ro1> Annual Red, White & Blue Independence Day Celebration
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Celebrate the holiday at Mount Vernon. The annual Red, White and Blue Independence Day Celebration will take place from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the first president’s estate and gardens. The George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) leads this yearly event to commemorate all of Washington’s contributions to his country. A procession to the president’s tomb will be accompanied by Fifes and Drums of Price William III and the First Virginia Regiment. Come honor our first president on this patriotic day! All events are included in the regular estate admission price. For more information, call 703-780-2000.
<ro1>The Smithsonian Folklife Festival
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Visit the Smithsonian Folklife Festival from June 27-July 1 and from July4-July 8. The free event is sponsored by the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Festival hours are from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; evening events begin at 6 p.m. The event is sure to please, as it includes music, dance performances, cooking and craft demonstrations, storytelling and many more activities. Visitors will also learn about the many different cultures of the Mekong River, Northern Ireland and Virginia. The festival is located at the National Mall, between 7th and 14th St. in Washington, D.C. For more information, call 202-633-5541 or visit www.folklife.si.edu/center/festival.html.
<ro1>Ol’ Fashioned Family 4th of July
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Come celebrate the Fourth of July the old-fashioned way at Claude Moore Park’s Ol’ Fashioned Family Celebration. The festivities include a reptile show, crafts, and hay rides. Take a tour of the historic area and see displays of the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum. Event runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The park is located at 21544 Old Vestal’s Gap Road in Sterling. For more information, call 703-444-1275.
<ro1>Go Fourth 8K Run
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Ready to run this Independence Day? Come participate in Alexandria’s Go Fourth 8k Run. Registration starts at 6:30 a.m.; the race begins at 7:30 a.m. There is no pre-registration requirement. Sponsored by the Potomac Valley Track Club, the top three finishers in the ten-year age groups for both men and women will receive patriotic prizes. Registration costs $4 for PVTC members; $5 for non-members. The course is located at the Belle Haven Park and Marina in Alexandria. For more information, call 703-481-3530 or contact the PVTC at trackclub@aol.com.
<ro1>National Mall Independence Day Celebration
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Washington D.C. offers all-day entertainment and activities, leading up to the always amazing firework show. Public access to the National Mall begins at 10 a.m. D.C.’s Independence Day parade will kick off the festivities at 11:45 a.m. The parade route runs on Constitution Avenue and 7th to 17th Sts. A live concert by the National Symphony Orchestra will follow at 8 p.m.; free admittance begins at 5 p.m. The fireworks display is expected to light up the sky above the Washington Monument around 9:15. The Smithsonian Metro stop will be closed on the fourth, but other stops will remain open. For more information, visit www.dcpages.com/tourism/fourth_of_july/.
Note: Alexandria residents, take note that it is illegal to store, sell, use or explode any fireworks (including sparklers) within city limits. The Fire Marshal will, at the owners expense, seize and take all fireworks found in the city. The above offenses are Class One misdemeanors and punishable by a $2,500 fine and/or up to 12 months in prison. Fireworks violations may be reported to the Alexandria Fire Department at 703-838-4360 or the Alexandria Police Department at 703-838-4444. Residents can enjoy the excitement of fireworks at city-sponsored events presented by professionals. For a list of these events, call the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities special events line at 703-838-4844.