Fun with Fireworks
Image: Fireworks over the Potomac. Photo credit.
If you haven’t already made plans for the 4th, be sure to check out WashingtonPost.com’s round-up of festivities. If you’re house hunting, attending events like these in your target neighborhood(s) is a fantastic opportunity to get a feel for the community and your potential neighbors. If you’re interested in DC events in specific neighborhoods, click on the links in the “Blogs We Like” section on the right of this page; they are excellent sources of information for that sort of thing, as well as other goings-on in the areas they cover.
Happy Independence Day!
DC (Partial List; full list here. All event descriptions pulled from the Post.)
NATIONAL ARCHIVES– 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Activities include a presentation of colors by the Continental Color Guard, a performance by the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry (the Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps, keynote remarks by U.S. Archivist Allen Weinstein, and a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence by Riley Temple of the Foundation for the National Archives. 202-357-5000. Click here for more information, including activities for kids.
SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL– 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Learn about the Kingdom of Bhutan, the 50th anniversary of NASA, and experience the music, food and wine of Texas. Events include art exhibits; performances by musicians, dancers and storytellers; and demonstrations by craftspeople. The Mall, between 7th and 14th streets SW. Free. 202-633-1000 or http://www.folklife.si.edu.
FAIRFAX COUNTY
(Partial list; full list here.)
MOUNT VERNON: AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION– Patriotic music by the National Concert Band of America, military reenactments by the First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line, a wreath-laying by the Sons of the American Revolution at Washington’s tomb, where visitors are invited to place a carnation and enjoy Happy Birthday America cake. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mount Vernon, 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Alexandria. $13; seniors, $12; children ages 6-11, $6; children 5 and younger, free. 703-780-2000 or http://www.mountvernon.org.
FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVAL– Rides, games, an antique car show, live entertainment, crafters, community organizations and food, beginning at 11 a.m. Watch a laser light show with graphic images and music, 9:15 p.m., Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna. Free. 703-255-6360. More information is available here.
CELEBRATION AND FIREWORKS– Family fun, featuring games, races, craft activities, bingo, live entertainment and fireworks. Hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cake and cotton candy for sale. 6:30-10:30 p.m.; fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., Bready Park, adjacent to the Herndon Community Center, 814 Ferndale Ave., Herndon. Free admission; parking is also available at Herndon Middle School, 901 Locust St. and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 750 Peachtree St. 703-787-7300. Click here for details.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
(Partial List; full list here.)
GAITHERSBURG BIG BANG WEEKEND– July 3-7. Concerts July 3 and 5-7 at the City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg. Visit http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov for schedule.
ROCKVILLE– 7 p.m. July 4. The Fugitive Brass Quintet, RedLine band and the Rockville Concert Band perform. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Montgomery College Rockville campus, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Parking available at all campus parking lots, but expect a wait of up to an hour to exit after the fireworks. Blankets and chairs welcome, but no barbecuing or alcohol permitted. Free. No rain date. 240-314-8620, 240-314-5022 or http://www.rockvillemd.gov/events.
TAKOMA PARK PARADE AND FIREWORKS– 10 a.m. July 4. Takoma Park’s 119th Independence Day celebration begins with a parade at Carroll and Ethan Allan avenues. A concert by Bele Bele Rhythm Collective and the Takoma Park Community Band starts at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring. Free. 301-270-6876, 301-565-0190 or http://www.takomapark4th.org.
Recent Sweet Digs Posts
NW Reductions of the Week
See Palisades Spirit on 4th of July
