Celebrating the Fourth

Leave it to Thomas Jefferson to have words that would fit any occasion, especially the Fourth of July.

“Let the love of our country soar above all minor passions … .”

Independence Day will be celebrated at the third president’s private retreat home, Poplar Forest, as well as at sites around Central Virginia.

--Jefferson —author of the Declaration of Independence — resolutely believed in celebrating the Fourth, according to a news release from Poplar Forest. A reading of the declaration will be part of the Poplar Forest Independence Day celebration, set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the reading at 1:30 p.m. There also will be music by the Itinerant Band and Uncle Henry’s Favorites, dance by the Virginia Academy of Historic Dance, a fife and drum corps parade, period entertainers, African-American storytelling and basketweaving, not to mention food, drink and hands-on family activities.
Entry will be $10 per car and $30 per bus. An admission fee will be charged for interior tours of Jefferson’s octagonal house.

-- Start the day with the fourth annual Fourth One Miler, the Academy of Fine Arts family race.
The first race begins at 8 a.m. on Commerce Street in downtown Lynchburg. It’s an all-ages event, with prizes given in three age brackets.
The event includes Teddy Spaghetti, face painting, art activities for kids. Pre-race registration at Riverside Runners; race day registration is $15 at the Academy. (434) 528-3256 or www.AcademyFineArts.com.

-- Nelson County loves a parade. The annual Fourth of July Parade along Main and Front streets is scheduled to step off at 11 a.m. In addition to the marching bands, old cars, horses, beauties and clowns go by, there’s the children’s bike parade, with sign-up at 10 on Front Street.
For more on the high-stepping, visit http://nelsonparade
.blogspot.com.

The day will go out with a bang at several locations.

-- In what has become tradition, fireworks will light up the night after the Lynchburg Hillcats’ games on July 3 and 4. The Hillcats play Winston-Salem both nights, with the Friday game set to begin at 6:05 and Saturday’s at 7:05.
-- The Smith Mountain Lake Fireworks will go off and Independence Day celebrated from The Point of Parkway Marina, offering a chance to view the spectacle by land or water. Saunders Volunteer Fire Department organizes the fest, and all proceeds go to benefit the department.
Fireworks are preceded by activities beginning at 5 p.m. Those are music by the Worx, a custom bike show, an antique and custom car show, and rides for kids — including on the Parkway Carousel.
While there is no admission fee, parking is $10 per car; as parking is limited, organizers ask people to consider car-pooling.
They are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. No pets, coolers or picnic baskets allowed.
Rain date for the fireworks only is July 5.

-- Fireworks will highlight the celebration at Red Hill, the historic home of another man who helped the cause of freedom, Patrick Henry.
The Brookneal home, which is now a national museum, opens at 10 a.m. and Fourth of July events begin at 3 p.m. Those include a visit around 7 by the man himself, who will recite his speech with the rallying line, “Give me liberty or give me death.”
There also will be music by Fear One Band. There will be food by the Charlotte Lions, the Keysville Ruritan Club, the Brookneal Masons and Schwann’s Ice Cream. And there will be historical interpretations of period activities, such as spinning, weaving, box making, basket making, blacksmithing and medical practices.
After a raffle drawing, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and singing of patriotic songs, fireworks will go off.
Entry costs $10 per vehicle carrying up to eight people. No alcohol, fireworks or grills allowed. For more information, call (800) 514-7463.

-- Fireworks will burst over Bedford, set off from the National D-Day Memorial, thanks to the Parks and Recreation Department. However, there will be no LibertyFest at the Farmers’ Market this year. People still can view the fireworks from various vantage points. The D-Day Memorial itself will be closed by the time they go off, although it will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, visit www.dday.org or call (540) 587-8973.

-- Watching fireworks below will cap a day of activities at the Peaks of Otter and The Blue Ridge Parkway.
The day starts with fishing at Abbott Lake by the dam from 9 to 11 a.m. Cane poles, tackle and live bait will be provided. Virginia-Carolina, a bluegrass band based in Roanoke, will play from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Visitor Center.
At 7 p.m., National Park Service rangers will lead a hike to the top of Sharp Top Mountain to watch the sun set and to view fireworks in communities below. Independence Day is the only time hikers are allowed to take the three-mile bus road. The six-mile roundtrip hike is moderately strenuous; hikers should wear sturdy shoes, carry a flashlight and water, and be prepared for weather conditions. The hike will end in the parking around below Sharp Top around 11 p.m.
All events are free and open to all. For information, call (540) 586-4496.

-- For a laid-back night, there will be Bluegrass Under The Stars at James River State Park in Gladstone. In The Tradition is scheduled to perform, with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10, with those 12 and younger admitted free of charge. For information, call (434) 528-4049.