YORKTOWN — Riverwalk Landing Piers is gearing up for its summer fireworks display that is taking place on July Fourth for locals’ and travelers’ viewing pleasure.
Trends for the Commonwealth of Virginia are indicating higher than normal boaters expected to hit the water this Independence Day. As gas prices increase, many boaters have been saving to enjoy the holiday out on the water, according to the Boat Owner’s Association of The United States.
York County, however, seems to already be prepared for the increase in boaters.
“We start, and this has been how we’ve run it forever since we’ve had the piers, taking reservations for July Fourth on January first,” said Dockmaster for York County Capt. James Scruggs in an interview with WYDaily. “So we started taking reservations January 1, 2022, for this July Fourth. And so this last month the Marina has been completely booked up.”
This isn’t to discourage anyone who still wants to be able to enjoy the fireworks or a day on the boat, however.
“If you want to come and grab a sandwich or something, we are allowing them to tie up on the outside of our piers,” said Capt. Scruggs. “We just operate on the DHS channel 16 and so people will hale us at Riverwalk Landing docks and then we will respond back to the boater and we usually switch channel for the Coast Guard to work off of. And then we can bring them in or ask questions.
“There are also a lot of shallow areas where people can anchor towards the east where the Mooring balls are,” he continued. “They can’t attach to the Mooring balls cause they’re in that [firework safety] zone, but the shallow water over there on that side, that you can anchor off easily and enjoy the fireworks at a safe but close distance.”
Throughout the day the coast guard will also be conducting checks making sure boaters have the proper safety equipment and maintain a safe distance from the barge that will be hosting the fireworks for display later that evening. For those with questions on what the safety requirements are for your vessel, you can find that information on the Coast Guard’s website.
The Waterfront Fireworks Display will begin at 9:15 p.m. and battlefield parking opens at 4 p.m.
For more information on additional activities for the day, Visit Yorktown’s official website.
