What's Happening On July 4, Plus Insider's Guides

By Amber Lester Friday, July 02, 2010

In between the hamburgers and the fireworks, Fourth of July revelers will have a chance to remember just how the Historic Triangle earned its name this Sunday.

Our area is perhaps one of the most apropos places to celebrate the day that the nation’s early leaders, many of them Virginians, signed a piece of paper declaring independence from Britain. Much of the country’s early history occurred in James City County, Williamsburg and Yorktown; this weekend, you can celebrate it with several special events.

Salute the past
Colonial Williamsburg will commemorate America’s early days with a day full of events on Sunday. At 10 a.m., a special militia muster will honor the 13 original colonies for Salute to the States. The Fifes and Drums will perform, and muskets and cannon fire will mark the event on Market Square. No tickets are required.

At 11 a.m., guests can go to the Capitol Green to watch Patrick Henry recall the lessons in citizenship learned in the colonial capital; tickets are not required. In the backyard of the Coffeehouse at 11:35 a.m., popular 18th-century African-American preacher Gowan Pamphlet will talk about his hopes for the new country.

At 12:30 p.m., visitors can watch as the citizens of Williamsburg learn of the Declaration of Independence at Capital Circle on Duke of Gloucester Street. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., the Cobham Consort will perform political songs and popular tunes from the colonial era at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. Admission to this program will be included in all admission passes.

In Yorktown, the Victory Center will host a “Liberty Celebration” on Saturday and Sunday. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, visitors can observe tactical and artillery drills, participate in military exercises and learn about the sacrifices of the founders. Admission to the Victory Center is $9.50 for adults and $5.25 for youth ages 6 through 12.

Drills will take place at the Continental Army encampment. At 11:05 a.m. and 3:05 p.m., visitors can join an 18th-century artillery crew to learn how to fire a brass battalion gun, then observe its firing. At 1:05 p.m., visitors can learn the role of mortar at the Siege of Yorktown. Finally, at 4:05 p.m., visitors can watch historical interpreters take up arms for a tactical drill.

At the 1780s farm, visitors to the kitchen at 12:35 p.m. each day will learn about the origins of popular American foods, including apple pie. At 5:05 p.m., the farm’s visitors can try 18th-century games, such as quoits, mancala and hoop and stick.

Visitors can peek at a rare early broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence at the museum. The document was printed in Boston soon after its adoption by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 and before a handwritten version was signed by the members of the Congress on Aug. 2.

Burst in the air
If you live for fireworks, you have several chances to take in the shimmering shows. Busch Gardens will kick off its Independence Day weekend July 2 and continue its nightly fireworks display, IllumiNights, through July 4. The fireworks extravaganza is included with park admission and begins nightly at 9:30 p.m.

Colonial Williamsburg’s fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m. The best places to observe the fireworks are from Market Square or Palace Green. Parking is available at the Visitor Center; due to heavy traffic, shuttle bus service will not be offered between 8:45 and 10:45 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. No tickets are required to observe the fireworks.

Yorktown will welcome crowds for its afternoon fun prior to its fireworks show. Visitors are urged to arrive in Yorktown before 5:30 p.m. due to heavy traffic; once the parking area has reached capacity, the entire downtown area is closed to vehicular traffic. The fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m.

Visitors arriving early can enjoy the following activities: performances from the Fifes & Drums of York Town at 4 and 7 p.m. by the Victory Monument; the Voices of Yorktown Chorale at 4 p.m. in York Hall; Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony at 5 p.m. at the Nelson House; a parade down Main Street at 6 p.m.; a presentation on the origin of the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 p.m. at the Victory Monument; and a performance from the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band at 8 p.m. at the Victory Monument. From 4 to 8 p.m. children can enjoy games at the intersection of Main and Nelson streets.

Getting around and where to park
Williamsburg Area Transit Authority will increase the operating hours for the Williamsburg Trolleys until 11 p.m. on Sunday, July 4. Residents and visitors can take advantage of ample parking in New Town and High Street and use public transit to get to and from Colonial Williamsburg.

Public parking for the Yorktown celebration will be on the Yorktown Battlefield at the Cook Road and Ballard Street intersection. Parking is free and available beginning at 3 p.m. For handicapped and special needs visitors, a special parking area with a golf cart shuttle service will be set aside. Visitors using that parking area must first obtain a pass at Yorktown Middle School between 3 and 7 p.m. The shuttle services will be available from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The Yorktown Trolley service will provide the only means of transportation in Yorktown on the fourth. The trolley will make stops at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, the York-Poquoson Courts and Office Complex, the York County Administration Building, Main and Ballard Streets intersection, Riverwalk Landing, Watermen’s Museum and the Yorktown Victory Center. Service begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.