Places in and near Prince William to go to celebrate America’s birthday on July 4

It is time for the big summer holiday-Independence Day is the highlight of the summer. Whether you want a small town gathering of fireworks or a full day of festivities there are plenty in our area from which to choose.

Manassas

Historic Manassas, Inc. and the City of Manassas are putting on an event called Celebrate America, taking place in Old Town Manassas, according to Taylor Lenz, marketing and communications coordinator for Historic Manassas, Inc.

The celebration will surround the Old Town train depot, the Harris Pavilion and the Manassas Museum. There will be rides for children beginning at 3 p.m. along with food concessions, novelty vendors and live entertainment beginning at 4 p.m. 

Take lawn chairs and blankets and get there early to get the “best seats” on the lawn of the Manassas Museum to celebrate Independence Day by viewing one of the “largest fireworks displays in Northern Virginia.”

Bakers can enter their best apple pie recipe in the 2013 Apple Pie Baking Contest. For more information go to http://www.visitmanassas org c.lick on events, and click on July 4th. Pie Contest applications can be found online or picked up at the Train Depot at 9431 West Street. Call 703-361-6599 for more information.

Manassas Park

Tony Thomas, the Recreation Supervisor for Manassas Park Parks and Recreation says fireworks will by held at Signal Hill Park, located at 9300 Signal View Drive in Manassas Park.

The park will be open to the general public and $5 on-site parking is available for handicap patrons. There will be limited general parking available across from Signal Hill for $5.

A free shuttle service will be provided for people parked at City Hall and the Manassas Park VRE. Shuttle service will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 10:30 p.m. Personal fireworks and alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park.

For details, go to www. manassasparkcommunitycenter.com or contact Brian Hanifin at 703- 335-8872 or email b.hanifin @manassas parkva.gov.

Woodbridge

The Potomac Nationals will be playing the Wilmington Blue Rocks July 4-6 at Pfitzner Stadium that is located behind the Prince William County government center at 1 County Complex Court off Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge.

Games begin at 6:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m. To celebrate, fireworks will be set off of after each game. Kids can run the bases after each game.

On July 5 players will wear Superman-inspired jerseys that will be auctioned during the game. July 6 will be Dan Haren Potomac Cannons Bobblehead Night and the first 1,000 fans through the gates will get a bobblehead courtesy of TGI Fridays.
 
For more information or to purchase game tickets, see http://www.potomacnationals.com.

Fairfax

The City of Fairfax will host its 47th Annual Independence Day Celebration with the “best parade in Virginia” with groups from around the nation and Virginia from 10 a.m. to noon and will go on rain or shine in the Downtown Fairfax Historic District, according to the city website.

They will celebrate with an “old-fashioned” Fireman’s Day at 12:30 p.m. at 4081 University Drive that will include a firefighter competition, food, beverages and games.

The City of Fairfax Band along with the musical group “GrooveLine” will entertain in the evening beginning at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at Fairfax High School, located at 3501 Rebel Run in Fairfax with a rain date for fireworks only on July 5.

For more information, see http://fairfaxva.gov/SpecialEvents/IDC/IDC.asp

Great Meadow

Brianne Casey, office manager with the Great Meadow Foundation invites all to “come celebrate America’s 237th birthday” at Great Meadow, located at 5089 Old Tavern Road in The Plains.

There will be a rock wall, mechanical bull, clowns, Pev’s Laser Tag, music by Andre Fox, pony rides, high powered rocketry, 4H petting farm, American helicopter display, Piedmont Driving Club and Middle-burg Charro Club demonstrations, and Great Meadow Polo Exhibition.

In addition they promise the “largest fireworks show outside of Washington, DC. Reserved spaces are available along the North and South Rails against the famous steeplechase race course. Jefferson boxes and Umbrella boxes are available on Member’s Hill. General admission car passes are available at the gate the day of the event.

All ticket purchases are 100 percent tax deductible, and all proceeds benefit the upkeep of the Great Meadow Foundation.

An all-inclusive, VIP viewing experience can be experienced in the middle of the race course by joining the Twilight Club for the 4th of July picnic Barbeque catered by Marriott Ranch.

Gates open at 4 p.m. and fireworks set to music begin at dusk. To reserve a space or to join the Twilight Club, visit http://www.greatmeadow.org and fill out the reserved space form.

Check back on Tuesday, July 2 for more July 4th activities in the area.