Update: Due to inclement weather forecast for Friday, York County has cancelled the Yorktown Independence Day 8k Run and 5k Walk and the parade on Water Street. A determination on fireworks will be made by 2 p.m. Friday.
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With the nation celebrating its independence Friday, the Historic Triangle has a slew of events for patriotic patronage. In addition to two fireworks displays, there are concerts, military demonstrations and a reading of the document of the day, the Declaration of Independence.
Fireworks
According to York County, the best viewing for fireworks at Yorktown is at the waterfront. The show begins at 9:15 p.m., with fireworks being shot from a barge for a display over the York River.
Fireworks are set to start at 9:20 p.m. in Colonial Williamsburg, with viewing for visitors on Market Square or the Palace Green. After the show, the Fifes and Drums will march from the green down Duke of Gloucester Street to end on Botetourt Street. Check the Colonial Williamsburg Facebook page for updates about possible weather cancellations.
Getting Around
The free Yorktown trolley will run a route with stops at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, the York-Poquoson Courts and Office Complex, the York County Administration Building, the intersection of Main and Ballard Streets, Riverwalk Landing, Watermen’s Museum and the Yorktown Victory Center. Service starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.
Parking for Yorktown’s evening activities begins at 4 p.m. and visitors are urged to arrive before 6 p.m. to avoid heavy traffic. Guests can park on the Yorktown Battlefield and should be prepared to walk about one mile from there to the waterfront to attend the events.
The Williamsburg Trolley will run express service from Colonial Williamsburg to parking areas in New Town, High Street and the College of William & Mary School of Education. Express trolleys will start at 7 p.m. and end around 11 p.m., running about every 20 minutes, with two smaller buses on standby if needed.
The cost to ride is $1 for a round trip or $2 for all day.
Colonial Williamsburg
At 10 a.m., Salute to the States will commemorate the 13 colonies’ military muster. Accompanied by the Fifes and Drums, each state flag will be displayed with musket and cannons firing.
A reading of the Declaration of Independence takes visitors back to July 25, 1776, when the document was first heard in Williamsburg. The reading starts at noon on the courthouse steps.
Two concerts come to the colonial area in the evening. The Fifes and Drums will play from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Market Square North, behind the courthouse, followed by a performance by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at the Governor’s Palace.
Yorktown
The 35th annual Yorktown Fourth of July Celebration starts at 8 a.m. Friday with the Yorktown Independence Day 8k Run and 5k Walk at York High School. Sponsored by the York County Historical Museum, race registration begins at 6:30 a.m. but online pre-registration is recommended.
At 9 a.m., there will be a parade on Water Street with live music by the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Band.
A Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on the Riverwalk Landing stage, followed by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band in concert at 8 p.m.
Other Events
The Yorktown Victory Center will host military drills plus artillery and role-playing demonstrations, starting at 9 a.m. Friday and running until 6 p.m. Guests can also visit the museum galleries to view a broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence dating to July 1776.
Shorty’s Diner will host a Classic Car Show open to all years, makes and models of cars as well as trucks and motorcycles. There is a $10 vehicle fee entrance fee to benefit Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and awards for the top 40 vehicles. Presented by Classic Cruisers car club the event is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Due to predicted weather, the car show has been rescheduled to Saturday.
There will be live music all day at the Watermens Museum in Yorktown. From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the performers include local groups the LCV Project featuring Louis Vangieri at 11:30 a.m. and Shanty Grass at 2:30 p.m. The York River Symphony Orchestra will play from 7 to 9 p.m.
James City County Parks and Recreation will be giving out free ice pops at its outdoor pools, starting at 11 a.m. while supplies last.
