Here is my 2010 annual list of area fireworks and 4th of July celebrations for the Williamsburg, Yorktown and Hampton Roads VA areas .
View Independence Day fireworks at any of our region’s displays this weekend, and ooh and ahh en masse. Or watch the sky light up from the relative privacy of a neighborhood street, the top of a building, or a park bench near the water.
If I missed any please drop me a line at John@MrWilliamsburg.com If you have questions about the specific events please contact them directly. The list includes events in Chesapeake, Gloucester, Hampton, New Kent, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Yorktown, Williamsburg and VA Beach, Virginia
Have any secret tips about what to do or where to park. Please add them in them in the comments section below for all to share.
Thanks and Have a Happy 4th !
Chesapeake VA Independence Day Concert & Fireworks at the Bagley
Date: Saturday, July 03, 2010
Chesapeake City Park
900 Greenbrier Parkway
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Phone: (757) 382-6411
Email: prgeneral@cityofchesapeake.net
Opens: 7:30:00 PM
Children Welcome
Join us @ 7:30pm for a holiday concert with/ Fireworks on the Bagley Stage featuring the renowned “U.S. Fleet Forces Band.” Come out and celebrate our nation’s birthday under the stars, featuring lively music and a fireworks finale! FREE admission. ($5 fee for site parking will help us continue this great family event!) Bring lawn chairs and/or blanket. You can purchase food at the concessions for a picnic supper.
Chesapeake VA 4th of July Celebration at Lakeside Park-
Date: Saturday, July 03, 2010
Lakeside Park
1441 Bainbridge Blvd
Chesapeake, VA 23324
Phone: (757) 382-6411
Email: prgeneral@cityofchesapeake.net
Opens: 10:00:00 AM
Closes: 4:00:00 PM
Children Welcome
Parade, entertainment, food, games and paddleboat rides. Event is FREE to the public.
Gloucester VA- Celebration & Fireworks. A day of family FUN at the beach…picnic, swim or fish. A variety of entertainment throughout the day. Gloucester Point Beach on the York River north side of the Coleman Bridge. Watch the Yorktown Fireworks here.
Sunday July 4th, 2010 10 am – 9 pm.
(804) 693-2355.
Hampton VA Fourth at The Fort-
Sunday July 4, 2010 from 4:00pm – 11:00pm
Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe
Hampton, Virginia 23651
757 788 3151
Get Directions
This lively celebration of our nation’s independence takes place at the largest stone fort ever built in the U.S. Enjoy live music, children’s games and rides, food and beverages, military exhibits and of course, fireworks! Walker Field. Free.
Free Concert:
Emily West performs at 7pm
Jimmy Wayne at 815pm
:
Fort Monroe MWR: (757) 788-3151
| Note: You must have Photo ID, Drivers License and Vehicle Registration to get on the base |
Mathews County Sunday, July 4, at Mathews High School Athletic Field. YMCA Family Olympics with games for all ages for kids from 5 to 7 p.m., followed at 7 p.m., Riptide (band), and professional fireworks display until 11 p.m. Food available on grounds. Free. Call (804) 725-1488.
Newport New Va 4th of July Stars in the Sky
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
Victory Landing Park
50 26th Street
Newport News, VA 23605
Phone: (757) 926-1400
Opens: 6:00:00 PM
Closes: 10:00:00 PM
Children Welcome
Everyone is invited to the Virginia Peninsula’s biggest Fourth of July party – Fourth of July Stars in the Sky at Victory Landing Park. This waterside park, which offers spectacular views of the James River, is filled with 30,000 people who come to celebrate our nation’s birthday. The evening begins as crowds gather to enjoy summer’s favorite foods from a variety of vendors and children check out the rides and crafts. As dusk approaches, the stage comes alive with the music of a nationally-known entertainer. As the last note from the concert ends, the sky over the James River explodes with a kaleidoscope of color in a spectacular fireworks show. Free parking. Victory Landing Park is located at exit 6 from I-664, just minutes from Colonial Williamsburg, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and all Newport News attractions.
New Kent VA Colonial Downs’ "Racing to the Stars and Stripes"
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010 Colonial Downs
10151 Colonial Downs Parkway
New Kent, VA 23124
Phone: (804) 966-RACE
Opens: 5:00:00 PM
Closes: 10:00:00 PM
Admission Fee
Children Welcome
Enjoy a horse racing/live concert/fireworks tripleheader at a special 5:00 PM post time. After the fireworks, stick around for a live concert, entertainment, free ice cream, kids activities & a $500 cash 
giveaway! Get the best seats in the house & buy a trackside "Blast Zone" Table for 4 — you’ll have the best vantage point for the fireworks!
Norfolk VA Town Point Park… located at the tip of Norfolk’s Downtown on the Elizabeth River, is the site of Norfolk’s daylong Independence Day Celebration. Lots of Musical Acts and Entertainment start in the afternoon, and end with a really big Fireworks Display at 9:30 PM. Thousands of People will turn out, but you can also view the fireworks from a variety of `less crowded‘ spots nearby. July 4th at Town Point Park activities begin at 2 PM and end at 10 PM.
Norfolk VA The Shore Thing Concert and Independence Day Celebration, music by The Janitors at 6 p.m, fireworks (9:30 p.m.) and more. 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Ocean View Beach Park, 111 W. Ocean View Ave., Norfolk. 441-2345. www.festevents.org.
Portsmouth VA 4th of July Fireworks over the Elizabeth River
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
On the Elizabeth River between Downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth
Crawford Parkway, between Washington and North Streets
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone1: (757) 393-5111 Portsmouth Visitor Information Center
Phone2: (757) 441-2345 Norfolk’s Festevents
Email: festevents@festevents.org
Opens: 9:30:00 PM
Closes: 10:00:00 PM
Children Welcome
Pets Welcome
View Independence Day Fireworks from the Seawall in Olde Towne Portsmouth or along Crawford Parkway, between Washington Street and North Street. Cradock’s Historic Patriotic Salute begins with a children’s bike parade at Afton Parkway and George Washington Highway at 9:30 a.m. Music and a flag ceremony continue at the Cradock gazebo.
Suffolk, VA Stars & Stripes Spectacular
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
Constant’s Wharf Park
100 East Constance Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
Phone2: (866) SEE-SUFK Suffolk Visitor Center Toll Free
Children Welcome
Celebrate Independence Day Suffolk-style with fireworks, live music, food and family fun at the Constant’s Wharf Park & Marina in downtown Suffolk on the Nansemond River. Free and open to the public.
Va Beach July 4th Celebration at Mount Trashmore
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
Mount Trashmore Park
310 Edwin Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone: (757) 385-2990
Email: smoore@vbgov.com
Opens: 4:00:00 PM
Closes: 10:00:00 PM
Children Welcome
Celebrate America’s birthday and salute the military with live main stage musical entertainment, children’s activities and delicious festival foods! The night concludes with a BANG – ooh and ahh at our fabulous fireworks display that will fill the summer sky. Free and open to the public with on-site (fee), sponsored by The City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation. Experience the Fun!
VA Beach Stars and Stripes Explosion
Date: Sunday, July 04, 2010
Virginia Beach oceanfront
on the beach at 20th Street and in the 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 491-SUNN Virginia Beach Visitor Center
Children Welcome
Multiple performance venues at the oceanfront attract thousands of out-of-town visitors and locals alike for a "Star-Spangled" salute to this great country of ours! With a program that encompasses patriotic songs, Broadway tunes, movie themes and folk music, nostalgia reigns as the presentation segues into a magical fireworks show that explodes over the oceanfront. Stars and Stripes Explosion is an unabashed tribute to the United States of America.
Williamsburg VA –Colonial Williamsburg’s Fourth of July Activities celebrate the founding of a nation.
The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Virginian Thomas Jefferson, was adopted July 4th, 1776. Celebrate the nation’s birthday with Fifes and Drums, militia parades, and Colonial Williamsburg’s famous Historic Area fireworks. Colonial Williamsburg offers programs throughout the day that honor the birth of our nation.
At 10 a.m. on Market Square, Salute to the States kicks off the day’s programming. A special militia muster in commemoration of the anniversary of the birth of our nation honors the 13 original colonies. Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums play while the flags of each state are displayed. Muskets and cannon fire salute the event. No ticket is required to attend.
At 11 a.m. on the Capitol Green, guests can witness the program, The Times that Try Men’s Souls: An American Patriot Speaks about Revolution. Patriot Patrick Henry recalls the origins of the American Revolution in Williamsburg and remembers important lessons in citizenship learned in the colonial capital. He challenges citizens to consider what independence might mean, and what their rights are and responsibilities will be in a self-governing republic. No ticket is required to attend this event.
At 11:35 a.m. in the backyard of the Coffeehouse, catch The Promised Land. Gowan Pamphlet, a popular 18th-century African American Baptist preacher, talks about his hopes for the future in a new society where all citizens are equal and where there will be no state church connected with the government. A young soldier confronts him with questions of faith in the face of war and world-changing events. No ticket is required to attend this event.
At 12:30 p.m. at Capital Circle on Duke of Gloucester Street, A Declaration of Independence will take place. The Declaration of Independence is read to the citizens of Williamsburg. This news arrives only a few weeks after Virginia’s representatives have adopted their own Declaration of Rights and a Constitution for the new state. No ticket is required to attend this event.
Hear music from the collections of our Founding Fathers as well as some of the patriotic pieces that inspired the Revolution during Planters and Patriots: Songs of the Revolution at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. Join the Cobham Consort for a spirited concert of political songs and popular ballads and tunes from colonial Virginia. Admission to this program is included in all Historic Area or Museum admission passes.
At 8:15 p.m., Music for the Fireworks leads up to the fireworks display. The Fifes and Drums perform a concert of patriotic music on stage behind the Courthouse. No ticket is required to attend this event.
Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. The best places to see these spectacular fireworks are from Market Square or Palace Green. 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. No ticket is required to enjoy this program.
Also happening this summer, Spirit of Liberty will take place at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. Former slave, Gowan Pamphlet, recalls the events of 1776 and their impact on the enslaved community. The program will run every Friday, July 2 through Friday, Sept. 3. The time for the event is 3:30 p.m. Admission to this program is included in all Historic Area or Museum admission passes
The 28th annual "Ice Cream Social" has become a tradition for locals and visitors and is sponsored by Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Money raised from the social helps support the auxiliary’s community programs, including free mammogram, bone density and health screenings for the uninsured, scholarship programs, pediatric gift bags in emergency, chemo cap program and holiday tray favors for patients.
The event takes place on July 4th in the Wren Courtyard at the College of William and Mary from 4:30pm until 7pm. We will be serving hot dogs $3 each, cake and ice cream $3 each and soft drinks and water $1 each. The Smith Wade Band will provide entertainment/music. It is a great community event and a nice place to picnic before the fireworks in CW.
There are always a lot of people–and especially families–who attend and we look forward to good weather. Rain date is July 5th.
Please plan to attend and bring your co-workers and friends and family!
Williamsburg VA- Four Nights of Fantastic Fireworks at Busch Gardens as it Celebrates Independence Day 2010- Prepare to “ooh” and “aah” as the sky above the world’s “Most Beautiful Park” explodes with color to top off Independence Day festivities. Celebrate America’s birthday at Busch Gardens with four nights of patriotic fireworks set to music July 1 – 4. The fireworks extravaganza, “Boom ‘n July,” is included with park admission and begins each night at 9:15 p.m..
The villages of Oktoberfest and San Marco are prime viewing areas for the fireworks show.
Guests also can dine in the park’s Black Forest Picnic area behind Das Festhaus during a pre-fireworks buffet that also includes access to an exclusive fireworks-viewing area near Festhaus park. Dinner seating begins at 8:30 p.m.. For more information on the Boom ‘n July fireworks or to make dinner reservations, visit www.buschgardens.com/va or call (800) 343-7946.
| LOCALS TIPS: For those trying to watch the Busch Gardens fireworks for free, don’t try to park on the flyover from Interstate 64. Police will move you along. There are a few places to view them along Rt 60 and Rt 143 |
Yorktown Fourth of July Fireworks. 9:15 p.m. over the York River. 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. Once the parking area has reached capacity, the entire town will be closed to vehicular traffic.
Visitors arriving early can enjoy these activities:
4 p.m. – The Fifes & Drums of York Town – Victory Monument, Voices of the Yorktown Chorale – York Hall (Main and Ballard Street)
4 p.m. – Children’s fun and games area – (Main and Nelson Street)
5 p.m. – Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony – Nelson House (Main and Nelson Street)
6 p.m. – Parade on Historic Main Street – begins at Main and Ballard Street to Victory Monument- background music by U.S. Coast Guard Band
7 p.m. – The Fifes & Drums of York Town – Victory Monument
7:30 p.m. – The story behind the hallowed words of the "Pledge of Allegiance," presented by Guy Manchester at Victory Monument
8 p.m. – U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band – Victory Monument
9:15 p.m. – Fireworks display over the York River
For information, call 890-3500; or http://www.yorkcounty.gov/fourth
Liberty Celebration. 9 a.m. Saturday, and Sunday, July 4. Visitors can observe tactical and artillery drills, take part in a variety of military exercises, discover the origins of "American" dishes such as apple pie, and learn about the sacrifices of our nation’s founders. A rare early broadside printing of the "Declaration of Independence," is featured in the museum’s gallery.The Yorktown Victory Center, located on Route 1020, near Colonial Parkway in Yorktown. Admission is $9.50 for adults and $5.25 for youth ages 6-12. 888-593-4682, 253-4838; http://www.historyisfun.org.
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Secret Viewing Spots From Locals:
Watch the Yorktown Fireworks aboard a boat on the York River. The reflection of the fireworks against the water is magnificent.
Rent a room at The Duke of York Motel in Yorktown. “Viewing from the fourth floor pool area is exquisite,”.
The Yorktown Fourth of July Celebration Committee recommends viewing from the Victory Monument. Fireworks are launched from the beach picnic area directly below the monument.
Parking in Yorktown is difficult. Arrive early enough to score a spot in the parking deck at Riverwalk. From there, it’s a short left down Water Street to the Colonial Parkway or Route 17.
Want a postcard view? Climb to almost any rooftop or parking deck top in downtown Norfolk to catch a sweeping vista and watch the lights play over the city skyline and waterfront. Bring a chair and a beverage. Add your own music. Relax. Leave the traffic delays for the workweek.
The Pagoda and Oriental Garden in Norfolk’s Freemason neighborhood. It’s off West Tazewell, which puts the location slightly away from Town Point Park, but close enough that you feel part of the action. Grab a bench or sit on the steps by the water and people-watch as you wait for the fireworks to start. Some condominiums stand between you and the park, but the fireworks are high enough in the sky that you don’t notice. Plus there’s a nice view of Portsmouth across the water.
The view from the other side Lots of folks enjoy the fireworks and a nice view of Norfolk from across the water in Portsmouth’s Olde Towne.
Plum Point Park along the Elizabeth River in Norfolk’s West Ghent provides close-up views of the downtown fireworks. Driving there is a challenge – there’s no parking. But walking or biking make access easy: Just follow the Elizabeth River Trail, either from Southampton Avenue in the Freemason neighborhood or from an opening off Claremont Avenue just off Redgate Avenue.
Trashmore from a distance Some people park at the old Kmart lot on Holland Road to watch the Mount Trashmore displays, some setting up lawn chairs or sitting on the roofs of their cars. The spot is great for avoiding the tangle of traffic on Independence Boulevard.
Suffolk sights Folks who live in Suffolk’s Eclipse/Crittenden community can walk to their favorite viewing spot toting lawn chairs. People like us, who drive in from other locations, park near the Ebenezer United Methodist Church or the community swimming pool. If you drive to the end of the road afterward, it’s sometimes possible to see Newport News’ fireworks in the distance.
Get out on the water. Take a cruise from downtown Norfolk on the Victory Rover or American Rover, or head out on your own craft.
On the beach in Willoughby you can see Hampton, Newport News, Virginia Beach and Ocean View’s fireworks. Private homes on the beach put on some pretty spectacular fireworks displays as well. Or check out the beaches in Ocean View, at one of the public parks on the Bay.
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Sunday, May 27, 2012 the Broadway spotlight is on Jane Krakowski, the Tony award-winning and Emmy-nominated star of NBC’s “30 Rock,” who will perform classic Broadway hits under the musical direction of Rob Fisher. Ms. Krakowski has appeared on Broadway in “Guys and Dolls,” “Grand Hotel,” “Company,” “Once upon a Mattress,” “Tartuffe” and “Starlight Express.” In 2003, she won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Carla opposite Antonio Banderas in the musical “Nine.” Tickets are $65 and $45 for reserved table seating at 5:30 and 8 p.m. in the Virginia Room of the Williamsburg Lodge.
the great composers and band leaders of the swing era: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Pops Louie Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lucky Millinder, Earl Fatha Hines, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton and more. The New York Times calls their sound “potent music, tailor-made for dancing.” 
This year, celebrities appearing in person will include Richard Erdman, Gary Hudson, Mickey Kuhn, Marilyn Mason, Terry Moore, Tommy Nolan, John Saxon and Peggy Stewart, with True West magazine editor and author, Bob Boze Bell. Celebrities will be interviewed on stage daily by film historians and will sign autographs. Nightly entertainment will feature The Virginia Rounders and Elvis tribute artist, Sterling Riggs. 
Fans will have the opportunity to meet the stars, who will interact with them and pose for photos.
First Night Williamsburg is a family-oriented, non-alcoholic New Year’s Eve celebration of the performing arts presented throughout the City and on the campus of the College of William & Mary.
Ken Johnston, co-chair of the event that benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Virginia Peninsula and Literacy for Life at the Rita Welsh Adult Learning Center, introduced the lineup at a cocktail party last month.
The first annual James River Jam will be held Friday, November 11, 2011, at Busch Gardens’ Royal Palace Theatre in Williamsburg, Virginia. The charity jam session is presented by Tempus Jets and Busch Gardens, and will benefit An Achievable Dream Academy, Folds of Honor Foundation and Eastern Congo Initiative, organizations dedicated to improving educational opportunities for children and young adults.
