THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 4, 1995 TAG: 9507010030
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROY A. BAHLS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
OUR COUNTRY'S 219TH birthday bash has arrived, and as the backyard barbecues fire up, and the city-sponsored celebrations get under way today, the emphasis is on family fun.
You'll find outdoor parties popping up in their best red, white and blue trimmings from Hampton Roads to the Carolina coast. Join the egg toss, tug of war and horseshoe games. Dig into the palate-pleasing picnic fare and don't forget to unfurl Old Glory. Hey, is that Uncle Sam on stilts over there?
The July 4th Great American Picnic sizzles from noon to 10 p.m. at Norfolk's Town Point Park. Along with the food, music and games is high-flying action by the Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team and Matt Chapman Airshows. They light the fuses for the fireworks show over the Elizabeth River at 9:30 p.m.
Unfortunately, there will be no fireworks show over the Virginia Beach Oceanfront this year, but The 4th of July Family Fun Day display at Mount Trashmore Park promises to be bigger and better than ever. It also starts at 9:30 p.m. The games and fun run from 3 to 10 p.m.
Colonial Williamsburg's Independence Day Celebration kicks off at 10 a.m. with a Fife and Drum Corps
march and concludes with 9:15 p.m. pyrotechnics. Highlights include a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the 1770 courthouse and a picnic at the Governor's Palace.
An 11:55 a.m. 50-gun ``Salute to the Union'' warms things up for the 4 to 10 p.m. Fourth at the Fort patriotic party at Fort Monroe. Expect plenty of military exhibits, music and 9:15 p.m. fireworks.
Join the celebration and don't forget the bug spray and lawn chairs for those fireworks displays. Here's our list of Fourth of July festivities:
The July 4th Great American Picnic. Featuring entertainment, sporting events, fireworks (9:30 p.m.) and more from noon to 10 p.m. at Town Point Park, Norfolk. Matt Chapman Airshows at 1 and 5 p.m., Iron Eagles Aerobatics Team at 3 and 5 p.m. and G.T. Air Show at 5 p.m. Music by Norfolk Southern Lawmen (2 and 6 p.m.), Voices of Virginia (4 p.m.) and Armed Forces School of Music (8 p.m.). Also, free ship visitation on the Barry (guided missile destroyer) at Nauticus International Pier. Rain date for fireworks: 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. 441-2345.
The 4th of July Family Fun Day. Featuring entertainment, games, fireworks (9:30 p.m.) and more from 3 to 10 p.m. at Mount Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach. Musical entertainment by Easy Street (6 p.m.) and The Mann Sisters (8 p.m.). Plus Uncle Sam on stilts, egg toss and tug of war. Independence Day Race, 5K at 8 a.m., 1-mile run at 9 a.m. and Tot Trot at 9:30 a.m. at Mount Trashmore Family YMCA (456-9622). TRT shuttles from Pembroke Mall begin at 5 p.m. Rain date: Wednesday, beginning with live entertainment at 6 and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. 471-5884 or 473-5237.
Independence Day Celebration. Parade, music, fireworks (9:15 p.m.) and more in Colonial Williamsburg. Fife and Drum Corps march to Bruton Parish Church at 10 a.m., Declaration of Independence reading on the courthouse steps at noon, music at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Gallery at 2 and 4 p.m., picnic at the Governor's Palace at 7 p.m., military tattoo on the Palace Green at 8:45 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. 1-800-HISTORY.
Fourth at the Fort. Music, rides, car show, fireworks (9:15 p.m.) and exhibits from 4 to 10 p.m. at Fort Monroe. Music by the Fabulous Cruisers from 4 to 8 p.m. and the U.S. Continental Army Band from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. Also, a 50-gun ``Salute to the Union'' at 11:55 a.m. at Continental Park. Rain date: 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the Continental Army Band followed by fireworks. 727-2312.
Fourth of July Stars in the Sky. Entertainment, carnival rides, and fireworks (9:30 p.m.), noon to midnight at Fort Eustis, Newport News. Music by Killroos at 5 p.m., Roy Ayers at 6:30 p.m. and Delbert McClinton at 8 p.m. Shuttles begin at 3:30 p.m. from City Hall, Todd Stadium and Patrick Henry Mall. 247-8451.
4th of July Celebration. Games, music, rides and more from 4 to 8 p.m. at Constant's Wharf, North Main Street and Constance Road, Suffolk. Music by the Rhondels. 925-6325.
Chesapeake Fourth of July in the Park. Music, games, food, parade (11 a.m.) and more from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lakeside Park, Bainbridge Boulevard and Byrd Avenue. Entertainment includes The Mann Sisters at 3:30 p.m. Shuttled begin at 11 a.m. from Oscar Smith Middle School (no parking at the park). 543-8725 (after 5 p.m.)
Yorktown-Gloucester Family Affair. Music, games, parade (1 p.m.), fireworks (9:15 p.m.) and more from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. off Main Street, Yorktown. Freedom Run, fun run at 8 a.m. and 5K at 8:30 a.m. at the National Park Service Visitors' Center Parking Lot (898-9251). 890-3300. Also, music, games, crafts and more from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Gloucester Point Beach.
Fourth of July Celebration. Parade (11 a.m.), raft race (3 p.m.), fireworks (9:30 p.m.) and games from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Crittenden area of Suffolk. Music by The Maxx Brothers Band at 5:30 p.m. 238-2985.
Cradock Patriotic Salute. Flag-raising ceremony with patriotic music and addresses at 10 a.m. at Afton Square, Afton Parkway, Portsmouth. 485-9471.
Fil-Am Friendship Day. Food, entertainment, games and more at 11 a.m. at Princess Anne Park, Virginia Beach. Sponsored by the Philippine American Community. 425-7963. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Norfolk Festevents
[Fireworks]
by CNB