Updated: Richmond's guide to celebrating America's 250th
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The very stellar fireworks during SailFest in June. Image: Courtesy of Virginia Museum of History and Culture
America's big 250th birthday is finally here.
Why it matters: If there was ever a Fourth of July in your lifetime worth celebrating, it's this one.
Here are some ways to celebrate America's big birthday this year:
- Caveat: The city cancelled its annual Fourth of July celebration at Dogwood Dell due to the forecasted extreme heat.
- What they're saying: "City leaders determined that proceeding with the event would present unacceptable health and safety risks for attendees, performers, volunteers, staff, and first responders," officials wrote in a news release.
- Many other traditional celebrations pushed back their start times.
🎆 Fireworks shows
Henrico celebrates the Fourth of July with a free laser light show instead of fireworks, and this year, for America's 250th, it's doing it twice.
- On Friday, the show will be at Dorey Park from 7-10pm with live music, food vendors, kids' activities and a hot air balloon display.
On Saturday, it's at Crump Park, the usual spot, from 6-10pm, and the show is accompanied by music from the Richmond Symphony.
- Plus: there will be food vendors, more live music and kids' activities, including bounce houses and face painting.
- 🐶 Coolers are welcome — and so are (leashed) dogs; booze is not.
Fireworks at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
The festivities start at 6pm at Chesterfield's free event, with fireworks at dark.
- There will be live music, food vendors and kids' activities. Coolers are welcome but subject to search; booze and dogs are not allowed.
- Expect additional elements to help attendees keep cool.
Star-Spangled Squirrels Fest at CarMax Park
The Flying Squirrels are once again out of town for the Fourth, but their annual fireworks show will go on. Gates at 5:30pm, fireworks at 9pm.
- The Squirrels' Star-Spangled fest — their first at CarMax Park — includes live music, games for kids, food and drink specials and, of course, fireworks.
- Grateful Shred and No BS Brass Band will perform.
- Tickets start at $17.05, and $27.75 gets you onto the field for the fireworks.
🇺🇸 All-American fun
Ashland July Fourth Parade and Celebration
Ashland celebrates the Fourth with a parade, apple pie-baking contest, patriotic pet costume contest and an old-timey lawn party with old-timey games, from 11am-2pm. Free. 500 S. Center St.
"Give me liberty, or give me death" reenactment
Richmond's St. John's Church will have its annual reenactment of Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty, or give me death" speech there, at the site where it happened in 1775. Saturday and Sunday, 1:30pm. $24.
- Plus, they're hosting a special reading of the Declaration of Independence at 11am on the Fourth. $12
New Americans' Oath of Allegiance
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is hosting its annual naturalization ceremony for new Americans. Watch for free in person or online beginning at 11am, but there will be Ukrop's cake, lemonade and live music in person.
Zoom out: If you're looking for the biggest 250th celebration in Virginia, head east to Colonial Williamsburg.
- "America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together," the state's major July 4 celebration, will feature live music, military bands and fireworks, 8-10pm.
- It'll also be broadcast nationally on PBS. Visitors can attend for free and catch performances by folk legend Judy Collins and others.
Axios D.C.'s Anna Spiegel contributed to this report.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to show the Dogwood Dell celebration is cancelled this year.