Thursday, July 02, 2009
Happy birthday, U.S.A.!
The Roanoke Times Music for Americans is just one of many Fourth of July events around the Roanoke area.
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Music for Americans
The Roanoke Times Music for Americans
What: Roanoke’s largest Fourth of July celebration featuring fireworks, live music and children’s activities sponsored by The Roanoke Times, the city of Roanoke and Kroger.
Where: River’s Edge Sports Complex, Wiley Drive, Roanoke
When: Gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Family fun: The Family Fun Zone (5 to 8 p.m.) near the tennis courts will feature inflatable games, a moonwalk, a giant slide, a Velcro wall, a water balloon toss (5:30 p.m.) and a watermelon-eating contest (6:30 p.m.).
Food: Picnics are welcome. Vendors will be selling Homestead Creamery ice cream, funnel cakes, mini doughnuts, Sno-cones, hot dogs, corn dogs, lemonade, kettle corn and more.
Live music: At 8 p.m., the Big Lick Brass Band will perform patriotic and Americana songs, followed by Abbey Road Live, a Beatles tribute band that will sing “Hey Jude” and “A Hard Day’s Night.” Kristofer Sanchack, a Hollins University music instructor, will perform the national anthem and conduct the audience during a salute to the armed forces.
Fireworks: Begin at 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Don’t forget: Chairs, coolers, blankets and picnics are welcome.
Please don’t bring: Alcoholic beverages, fireworks, sparklers, pets, tents, grills or large umbrellas.
Parking: There is no on-site parking available. Use the continuous shuttle service (details below).
Shuttle information: Bus service begins at 5 p.m. and runs until everyone has been returned to their cars. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations are:
- Downtown parking garage at Williamson and Franklin roads
- The parking lot at Virginia Western Community College on Colonial Avenue
While all shuttles are handicapped-accessible, parking for handicapped patrons is reserved on the street-level floor of the downtown parking garage. If you park at this location, you will be dropped off directly on the field. At the end of the fireworks, handicapped guests will be given priority when boarding the shuttle buses. More information
Call 345-4030 or visit www.musicforamericans.com.
All American Celebration
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest tours and a celebration with fife and drum corps, sword swallowers, historic dance and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Demonstrations, music, dance, living history interpreters, children’s activities, food vendors and more.
Where: Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 1548 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $10
Contact: (434) 525-1806, poplarforest.org
Blacksburg July Fourth Parade
Theme is “Amazing American Heroes.” Starts at old middle school and ends near YMCA thrift shop on North Main Street. Sponsored by Mount Tabor Ruritan Club.
Where: Old Blacksburg Middle School, 600 S. Main St., Blacksburg
When: 2 to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 449-6178, faulkner@bev.net, mttaborruritan.org
Buchanan Fireman’s Carnival
Enjoy an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration. Enjoy dozens of rides, games, musical performances and great food.
Where: Downtown Buchanan
When: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: Prices vary
Contact: 254-1212
D-Day Memorial tours and fireworks
Celebrate Independence Day with a visit to the National D-Day Memorial. Tours will be offered throughout the day. The D-Day Memorial will close at 5 p.m. However, evening fireworks can be viewed from Centertown Bedford or Liberty Lake Park.
Where: National D-Day Memorial, 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Regular fees apply
Contact: 586-3329
Chili Festival
A festive event for the whole family with many activities for children. All proceeds will be donated to Pathway Christian Academy for the construction of its new school.
Where: Motor Mile Speedway, U.S. 11, Radford
When: 2 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $10; children, $5
Contact: 381-2670
Freedom Blast ’09
Fireworks, games, music, and more.
Where: Roanoke County’s Green Hill Park, Salem
When: 4:30 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 375-0099, freedomcentersalem.com
Fincastle Fireworks
The Town of Fincastle will hold a fireworks show.
Where: Breckinridge Elementary ballfield
When: 9:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 473-2200
Fireworks and Fire Company Fundraiser
The Saunders’ Volunteer Fire Co. fundraiser with fireworks, music by The Worx and others, a car and bike show, and food and beverage vendors.
Where: Parkway Marina, Huddleston
When: 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: smlfireworks.org
Historic Hillsville Salutes America
5K run, parade, fireworks, live beach music food and games.
Where: Downtown Hillsville and VFW Post 1115, 410 N. Main St., Hillsville
When: 4 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: (276) 728-2128, townofhillsville.com
Independence Day celebration
Take a picnic lunch to historic Smithfield Plantation and see historic re-enactors in celebration of America’s independence. House tours will be given at a reduced rate and there will be barbecue and Sno-cones for sale. Celebrate the Fourth of July in a colonial setting before watching the town parade and fireworks.
Where: Historic Smithfield Plantation, 1000 Smithfield Plantation Road, Blacksburg
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: House tours will be given for $4.
Contact: 231-3947, smithfieldplantation.org
Independence Day Cookout
The buffet will include local hand-patted hamburgers from Grayson Natural Foods, local Italian sausage from Cross Creek Farm, a low country boil along with sides. Fireworks will take place after dinner.
Where: Journey’s End Restaurant, 119 Journey’s End Drive, Independence
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $19.95
Contact: 276-773-9384, www.davisbourneinn.com
Independence Day at Chateau Morrisette
Celebrate freedom with music in the courtyard. The grill will be open to sell food and wine.
Where: Chateau Morrisette, 287 Winery Road SW, Floyd
When: 1 to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 593-2865, info@thedogs.com, thedogs.com
Lexington July Fourth Celebration
Reading of the Declaration of Independence, games, children’s bike parade, inflatable play sets, music, antique car show, VMI parade and more.
Where: Downtown Lexington
When: 10 a.m.
Contact: 463-5375
Mariners Landing celebration
The celebration continues all weekend with live entertainment featuring Fuzzy Logic and The Clue.
Where: Mariners Landing Resort Community, 1217 Graves Harbor Trail, Huddleston
When: 5 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $10 adults, $5 children 6-11, children 5 and under free
Contact: (800) 851-4988, info@marinerslanding.com, marinerslanding.com
Our Nation’s Birthday
Live music with Cure the Enemy (formerly known as Viper Nora) rock, reggae and original compositions.
Where: Tuggles Gap Restaurant, 3351 Parkway Lane South, Floyd
When: 2 to 5 p.m.
Cost: Donations will be accepted for the band
Contact: 745-3402, tugglesg@swva.net, tugglesgap.biz
Radford July Fourth Celebration
Day-long event featuring 5K race at 8 a.m., kids games at 11 a.m., karaoke and dog show at noon, inflatable games, mechanical bull, climbing wall, pony rides, Carilion Life-Guard helicopter.
Also featuring music with His Purpose, The Rock’n Cruisers, Sam & Danny, The Java Brothers, The Blues Brothers tribute, and f Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. sponsored by Third Security.
Where: Bisset Park in Radford, Berkeley Williams Drive, RadfordCost: Free
Contact: 731-3633, goodyeark@radford.va.us, radford.va.us
Vinton July Fourth Celebration
Entertainment, fireworks, children’s activities, food and special activities highlighting the 125th anniversary of the town.
Where: Vinton War Memorial Grounds, 814 Washington Ave., Vinton
When: 6 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: 983-0613, vintonva.gov
