Virginia's State Capitol grounds will host a Fourth of July celebration this year, its first since the 1800s.
Why it matters: The family-friendly and free event will also serve as the state's official kickoff for the U.S.' 250th birthday, coming in hot in 2026.
And this will be the only year a Fourth of July celebration happens in Richmond as part of Virginia's 250th anniversary events.
Zoom in: The July 4 event will be divided into two sections.
An old timey festival will take place from 5-7pm, with popup museums from more than 20 institutions across the state, dancing, spoken word and food trucks, including Gelati Celesti.
The Richmond-based ice cream shop created an official flavor for the event, Apple Doodle Dandy, made from Virginia apples, and they'll be scooping it up on the Fourth.
Thomas Jefferson (as portrayed by Colonial Williamsburg's Kurt Smith) will be there, too. He designed the state Capitol, after all.
"PBS NewsHour" co-anchor Geoff Bennett will emcee the event, with keynote speeches from Gov. Youngkin, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott and VA250 National honorary chair Carly Fiorina.
/2024/06/17/1718655217193.gif?w=3840)