Have Fun with July 4 Activities in Yorktown, Williamsburg

By WYDaily Staff Monday, July 04, 2011

Making plans for the Fourth of July? Here's a listing of what's going on in the Historic Triangle.

YORKTOWN
Public Parking for Yorktown's July 4 Celebration
Public parking for the Yorktown Fourth of July Celebration will be on the Yorktown Battlefield at the Cook Road and Ballard Street intersection.

Parking for the activities that begin at 4 p.m. is free and available beginning at 3 p.m. Visitors should be prepared to walk approximately one-third of a mile from the Battlefield parking area to the Victory Monument to attend the majority of the events.

Handicapped and Special Needs Parking
A special parking area with a golf cart shuttle service will be set aside for handicapped and special needs visitors. Visitors accessing this parking area must first check in to obtain a pass at Yorktown Middle School, 11201 George Washington Memorial Highway, (Route 17 and Goosley Roads). Operating hours for the check-in station on July 4th are 3 to 6 p.m. Golf cart shuttle services will be available from the handicapped/special needs parking area to the Victory Monument from 3 to 10:30 p.m. Parking passes and golf cart shuttle services are free.

Yorktown Trolley Holiday Service
The Yorktown Trolley will provide the only means of public transportation in Yorktown on July 4. The Trolley will operate on a route that includes 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. The Yorktown Trolley is handicapped accessible and free.

For a complete schedule and detailed information on the Yorktown Fourth of July Celebration, click here or call York County Parks and Recreation at 890-3500.

During the Day Activities
Visitors arriving early for the fireworks show - this is recommended, as parking will be tight in Yorktown - are encouraged to enjoy the following activities:

4 p.m. - The Fifes & Drums of York Town – Victory Monument
4 to 8 p.m. - Children’s Fun & Games Area – Main and Nelson Streets
5 p.m. - Voices of the Yorktown Chorale – Victory Monument
5:30 p.m. - The Story Behind the Hallowed Words of the Pledge of Allegiance – Presented by Guy Manchester – Victory Monument
6 p.m. - Parade on Historic Main Street – Begins at Main & Ballard Streets, heading toward the Victory Monument – background music by U.S. Coast Guard Band
7 p.m. - Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony – Victory Monument

July 4 Nighttime Activities
The evening gets going with a free concert by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band, which begins at 8 p.m. at the Yorktown Victory Monument.

Visitors should bring lawn chairs and blankets to listen to the band, which features
38 musicians and performs music ranging from Broadway to symphonic band, from jazz to patriotic marches. Stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, they travel more than 30,000 miles each year, performing concerts for the public and providing music for military protocol events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

July 4 Yorktown Fireworks
The 32nd annual Yorktown Fourth of July fireworks display promises to light up the sky over the York River beginning at 9:15 p.m.

The best viewing areas are along the waterfront and at the Yorktown Victory Monument. The Beach Picnic Area will not be open to the public as it will be used as the launch site for the fireworks show.

Visitors are urged to arrive in Yorktown before 5:30 p.m. for the fireworks show due to heavy traffic volumes. Once the parking area has reached capacity, the entire town will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Once the fireworks conclude, be prepared to wait in the parking lot to leave the area. Traffic volume is significant, and there will be one way out of the battlefield lot. Patience will be key!

WILLIAMSBURG
Prepare to get your history fix on the 4th in Williamsburg, where you’ll experience a day filled with music and see historical figures walk the streets like its 1776.

The events of the day include:
10 a.m. - “Salute to the States” on Market Square behind the Courthouse, recognizing  the 13 original colonies. The Fifes and Drums perform, flags of each state are displayed, and music and cannons celebrate the event.
11 a.m. - Patrick Henry invokes his famous speech that calls America to arms in front of the Raleigh Tavern.
Noon - “All men are created equal” when a special interpretation of The Declaration of Independence happens at the Capitol gives voice to “the People’s” document.
8 p.m. - “Music for the Fireworks” will be behind the Courthouse on Market Square, Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums perform a concert of patriotic music.
9:15 p.m. - Fireworks begin and can be enjoyed on Palace Green or from Market Square.

Parking is available at the Visitor Center. Due to heavy traffic, shuttle bus service to the Historic Area is not available between 8:45 and 10:45 p.m. Shuttle bus service is available with or without Colonial Williamsburg admission tickets.

Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and park at the Visitor Center and take Colonial Williamsburg’s buses to the Historic Area.

Special Dining Events
The Governor’s Palace Picnic is an all-American picnic and festive patriotic entertainment. Dine on a variety of chilled picnic favorites and Colonial Williamsburg specialties at the annual summer evening picnic from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the Governor’s Palace grounds. Guests receive a free commemorative picnic blanket, so all you’ll need to bring are your chairs. March with the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums to a premium, reserved viewing area for the fireworks extravaganza. Cost is $55 adults and $25 youth (12 and under) and includes tax and gratuity.

If barbeque and specially brewed beer is more your thing, Brews, Blues & BBQ is celebrating the American tradition of barbecue in the place where America’s quest for independence began. Enjoy the sights of Colonial Williamsburg, specially brewed beer and the traditional blues sound of Li’l Ronnie and the Grand Dukes, "the hottest swing blues band on the east coast.”

Williamsburg Ale Werks draft beer and Williamsburg Winery wine will be among the beverages served. Tickets are $28 for adults and $12 for children six to 12. Price includes nonalcoholic beverage, tax and gratuity. Reservations are not required. Dinner is served from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on the Virginia Lawn at the Williamsburg Lodge.
For more information, call 1-800-HISTORY or click here.

Busch Gardens
In addition to their IllumiNights Firework display, Busch Gardens will be offering a 4th of July picnic. Located in the Black Forest, the picnic will begin at 8:30 p.m. and will be an all-you-care-to-eat buffet with all-American favorites like fried chicken, barbeque ribs and apple pie. Tickets are $32 for adults and $16 for kids ages three to nine. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.