Fourth of July events around the Charlottesville Area
The United States of America is celebrating its 243nd Birthday this year and we’re pleased to see many of our surrounding communities, including the city of Charlottesville, are planning fun celebrations. Here’s a short round up of what’s available.
Crozet
The July 4th weekend will start on Saturday, June 29, in Crozet with the 9th Annual Crozet Independence Day Celebration. The Crozet Independence Day Celebration begins with the Crozet Volunteer Fire Department parade, at 5 pm, followed by live music, children amusements and games, food, local beer & cider, and finishing with fireworks at 9:30 pm.
If you would like to be a part of the 2019 Crozet Fireman’s parade, please submit your entry to be in the parade to ensure you are included in the lineup. Lineup will be based on a first come basis. Horses/livestock will be placed near or at the end of the parade. Lineup will begin at 4 pm at Crozet Elementary School and the parade ends at Claudius Crozet Park. Awards will be presented around 7:30 pm.
There are no pets allowed in the event and we’ll provide designated smoking areas and ask that you only smoke in those areas. If you live nearby Crozet Park, we encourage you to walk.
All that’s asked is a donation of $4 per person (and suggested donation for children 12 and under of $2 for the child amusements) as you enter the festivities (parking is free).
The non-profit civic groups in Crozet are the ones that benefit from any money raised above the cost of the event, so please be generous. Each of the past two years, we’ve donated over $7,000 to CVFD, WARS, Crozet Park, and other civic groups.
The event is sponsored by the Crozet Volunteer Fire Department, the Crozet Community Association, Claudius Crozet Park, Crozet Lions Club, Crozet Life Journey Church, Crozet Board of Trade, as well as many citizen volunteers.
Free Union
The fun continues on Sunday, June 30, over in Free Union where everyone is invited to either participate or watch the Independence Day parade and catch flying candy on Sunday, June 30, starting at 4 pm.
If you’d like to be in it (dress up, decorate a bike, a wagon, make a family float out of your pickup truck, ride a horse, etc.) then just show up at the parking lot of the Church of the Brethren at 3:30 pm, and you’ll be part of the lineup. It’s that easy!
Stanardsville
On Thursday, July 4, just to the north of Charlottesville, the town of Stanardsville will host the Red, White, Blue ’n Greene 4th of July Celebration, starting with a parade through the main streets at 5:30 pm, and continuing with live music, games and contest and a bounce house.
The Capitol Sheds Fireworks will start at dusk.
Scottsville
Just south of Charlottesville, Scottsville will hold its 106th – wow! – July 4th celebration on Thursday, July 4. Events will include their highly touted annual parade at 9 a.m, vendors at Dorrier Park during the day, music at Dorrier Park from 6 to 9 p.m. and then fireworks at dusk.
The Scottsville Volunteer Fire Department parade will proceed from James River Road (east) down Valley Street (Route 20) to East Main Street (Route 6). These streets will be closed from 8:45 a.m. until approximately 10:30 a.m.
There will be no parking on Harrison Street from 6 until 11:30 a.m. Any vehicles parked on Harrison Street during this time will be towed.
Road Closure Information: Starting at 7:30 a.m. James River Road between Blenheim Road and Valley Street will be limited to parade traffic only. Traffic on James River Road will flow from Blenheim Road towards Valley Street.
Starting at 9 a.m. the following roads will be closed to traffic: James River Road between Blenheim Road and Valley Street, Valley Street between James River Road and East Main Street, and East Main Street between Valley Street and Poplar Spring Road.
Charlottesville
We’re fortunate in Charlottesville to have Monticello, the home of one of the crafters of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, available for the 57th annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony on July 4th.
This year, constitutional rights and national unity advocate and a Gold Star parent, Khizr Khan, will deliver the keynote address.
Past speakers have included: Larry Sabato, Gen. Colin L. Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense; Madeleine K. Albright, former Secretary of State; I.M. Pei, architect; George W. Bush, President of the United States; Tracey Ullman, actress and comedienne; Nadia Comăneci, Gold-medal-winning Olympic gymnast; and local musical favorite, Dave Matthews.
Parking is available at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Shuttle reservations are recommended to secure a shuttle time to Monticello. Please arrive by 8 AM to allow time for parking and security
Music performed by the Charlottesville Municipal Band will start at 9 am and the ceremony starts at 10 am.
Carter Mountain Orchard – Thursday Evening Sunset Series on July 4 – come help celebrate the 4th in style – venue is open later than usual in order for you to view the fireworks all around Charlottesville – closing at 9:30 pm.
TWO bands are performing, starting early in the afternoon – Lockjaw will be performing from 3-6 pm, and The John Marshall Mays Band will play from 6 until 9 pm. Mountain Grill will be serving an “All American” dinner from 5:30-8:30 pm.
Ashlawn-Highland – Heifetz Festival of Concerts: July 4 Independence Day Concert and Celebration from 2-4 pm. Celebrate the holiday with some fine fiddling and other music fit for the Glorious Fourth! The Heifetz Institute’s Traveling All Stars head over the mountain to Charlottesville for a free, patriotic “picnic concert” at the historic home of President James Monroe. FREE
McIntire Park will open for Fourth of July Patriotism in the Park festivities at 5 pm on the 4th of July. There will be entertainment and food vendors starting at 6 pm. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 pm. There’s no parking at the park, or golf course for the public. Both areas will be gated.
Beginning at 4 pm the CTS will offer free shuttle bus service from the Albemarle County Office Building. Free parking at Charlottesville High School. Two buses will serve Walker Middle School Upper parking Lot for passengers with disabilities, to McIntire Park. Return shuttle service until the park is empty.
Title sponsor this year is the Bank of the James for having the largest contribution towards making sure the firework show goes on. The University of Virginia also could not imagine the Fourth of July without fireworks in the city. Jon Bowen, the special advisor to president Jim Ryan for external affairs, said the President’s Office jumped in and sponsored them as part of President Ryan’s goal to be more involved in the community. Eleanor Hoppe, the director of FUN for Patriotism in the Park, helping Wahoo Consulting take over the organization of the event. Other sponsors include TD Ameritrade, Cville Weekly, and Southern Development.
No dogs, alcohol, or personal fireworks will be allowed in the park. Fees for some events, but the fireworks are free. All ages welcome.
Happy 243rd Birthday America!
