Fredericksburg Fourth Of July 2018 Fireworks, Parades And More

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — July 4th is quickly approaching, which means it's time to fire up that grill, stock up on sparklers, and find out what Fourth of July fireworks and festivities are going on near you this Independence Day. We gathered up all the fireworks shows, parades and festivals happening in and around Fredericksburg so you can start planning how you'll celebrate our country's 242nd birthday.

As for the weather, here's the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:

Independence Day
Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night
Isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Here's what's in store this July 4th in Fredericksburg and other area locales:

Fredericksburg Heritage Festival

The Fredericksburg Heritage Festival on Wednesday, July 4, is an all-day affair that includes a 5-mile run, a downtown parade, car show, a street festival, live music and, it's all capped by a fireworks display. All events will be held rain or shine in downtown Fredericksburg. The schedule of events includes:

7:45 a.m.: Heritage Festival Five-Mile Run

9:30 a.m.: Heritage Day Parade

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

• Festival of the Streets in downtown Fredericksburg, Sophia Street
• Free Sight & Hearing Screenings.
• Classic Car Display.
• Children’s Activities: face painting, moon bounce, photo booth, gyroscope ride and Misfit Acres Petting Zoo.
• Live Music: Patsy and the Country Classic Band Mike Gill

Noon: Presentation of the Colors by the American Legion and a welcome by Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw

10 a.m.- 5 p.m.: Fourth of July at Ferry Farm, $1 admission

Noon: Performance by Enduring Freedom Honor Team

1 p.m.: Flag Retirement Ceremony

In the Evening:

4:30 p.m.: John Lee Pratt Memorial Park opens for the July 4th Spectacular

4:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.: Children’s activities, backyard games and face painting. Food vendor trucks on site

5:30 p.m.–7 p.m.: Groove Motive

7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.: US Navy Band: Country Current

9:30pm: Fireworks View fireworks from Pratt Park or Old Mill Park

*Bring lawn chairs
*No tents allowed in concert area
*No alcoholic beverages
*No sparklers
*No grills
*Dogs must be on leashes

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Spotsylvania Stars and Stripes Spectacular

Saturday, June 30

3-10 p.m.

The Spotsylvania Stars and Stripes Spectacular returns in the Spotsylvania Courthouse area beginning at 3:00 p.m. Join your family, friends and neighbors for this hometown, all-day family event. Come for the music, come for the food or come for the fireworks! Special shuttle bus service from nearby locations is offered to make your travel around the area simpler.

Not on the 4th Fireworks

Where: Tim's Rivershore, 1510 Cherry Hill Road, Woodbridge
When: June 30, all day and all night

Every year on the weekend prior to July 4th, Tim's Rivershore hosts a professionally managed fireworks show, launched from our barge in the Potomac River. Guests should plan to come early to secure a table at our Tiki Bar, outdoor seating area, or on our beach. Our location can be quite crowded for this event, and multiple shuttle buses will be running from Pope John Paul the Great Catholic High School (Location & Directions). A water taxi service from Occoquan to Tim's Rivershore is being operated by Rivershore Charters. Contact Captain Mark Perry at 703-498-4348, or visit MissRivershoreCharters.com for more information. Live music, food specials, and activities for the kids are always a part of this fun day at Tim's. contact us or follow us on our Facebook page for more details.

Fairfax's 52nd Annual Independent Day Celebration: July 4, 10 a.m.
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax
A parade will loop around downtown Fairfax in the afternoon. As the sun sets, head over to Fairfax High School at 3501 Rebel Run, where there will be music and dancing as well as children's activities. On-stage entertainment begins at 6 p.m., and the fireworks show will begin after dark, which is around 9:15-9:30 p.m.

Workhouse Arts Center Fireworks in Lorton: June 30, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
9518 Workhouse Way Lorton
The 30-minute fireworks show will follow a performance by the US Navy Band Commodores, the Navy's premier jazz ensemble. Visitors can enjoy local food trucks, craft beer, fine wine and non-alcoholic drinks.
Guests may bring blankets and lawn chairs, but coolers, outside food and beverages, and pets are not allowed. Service animals are welcome.
Admission to Workhouse Fireworks is free, while parking is $20 per car (cash only) at the Workhouse campus (enter via eastbound Workhouse Road).

Alexandria Birthday Celebration: July 7, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Oronoco Bay Park, 100 Madison Street, Alexandria
Alexandria celebrates America's 242nd birthday and Alexandria's 269th in one big celebration. Visitors can enjoy live music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, patriotic birthday cake, food vendors and a dazzling fireworks display over the Potomac River.
Fireworks at Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Hwy, Mount Vernon

Independence Fireworks: June 29-30, 6 p.m.-9:45 p.m.
A fitting destination for Independence Day festivities is the first president's mansion. Watch fireworks choreographed to patriotic music. Cost with a mansion tour is $35 for adults, $25 for youth; without mansion tour is $30 for adults and $20 for youth.

An American Celebration at Mount Vernon: July 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visitors will flock to Mount Vernon to see daytime fireworks over the Potomac River, cannon fire and military re-enactments. The cost is included in admission to the estate.

Vienna Fireworks: July 4, 7:15 p.m.
Yeonas Park, 1319 Ross Drive SW
Enjoy Vienna's annual fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m. Beforehand, Mars Rodeo will provide musical entertainment, and the Vienna Little League concession stand will sell food and drinks. Attendees should bring their own chairs and blankets for the shows.

National Independence Day Parade: July 4, 11:45 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Constitution Avenue NW from 7th Street NW to 17th Street NW
Marching bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams and more celebrate Independence Day in this patriotic, flag-waving, red, white and blue celebration of America's birthday.

A Capitol Fourth: July 4, 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.,
West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
Co-sponsored by the National Park Service and the National Symphony Orchestra, join Jimmy Buffett and the Broadway cast of Escape to Margaritaville, pop superstars the Temptations and the Beach Boys, country music star Luke Combs, host John Stamos, and many more as they honor our country's 242nd birthday. Gates will open at 3 p.m.

DC Fireworks Display: July 4, 9:09 p.m. - 9:27 p.m.
National Mall
Independence Day culminates with a spectacular fireworks display over the National Mall. The fireworks will be launched from the area of the Reflecting Pool, and will be visible from many locations throughout D.C. and Northern Virginia. The fireworks will be cancelled in case of heavy rain, thunderstorms or high winds.

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Photo by Richard Scinto/Patch