The 4TH OF JULY
Looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got some ideas.
It’s official. We’ve made it halfway through the catastrophic wreck that 2020 has been, and Independence Day is upon us. Thanks to the coronavirus, your plans to celebrate probably look a little different this weekend than they did last year — with a slim chance of capping the Fourth of July with a major fireworks display.
Cities around the region, one by one, canceled their yearly sparkling explosions in the sky. However, there are two nearby-ish cities that plan to put on a show. Currituck County will put on its display Friday night, and Isle Of Wight is hosting a drive-in only fireworks show on Saturday at Heritage Park Fairgrounds starting at 9:30 p.m.
And due to limitations on crowd sizes and which businesses can open, finding the right way to celebrate will be tricky.
We’ve rounded up a diverse list of activities for those ready to venture outdoors Saturday and celebrate.
And if by Sunday you need some help winding down, head to Virginia Beach’s New Realm Brewing, where you can do yoga alongside baby goats. Yes, you read that right: baby goat yoga.
Brews and bands
Just about every brewery in town is holding some sort of patriotic-themed event, complete with the perfect beer pairing and, in most cases, live music. FIFth annual Red, White and Brew Lagerfest at Back Bay’s Farmhouse Brewing Co.
1805 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
For $20, you can taste up to a dozen different lagers from Back Bay and five other breweries. The day’s festivities include food trucks, a hotdog eating contest, and live music from Darcy Dawn. Red, White and Blues Jam with Jason Cale at Big Ugly Brewing
845 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake. 1-5 p.m.
Jason Cale will be playing the blues all day. Grab a beer or bring your instrument and jam along. July Fourth at Commonwealth Brewing
2444 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach. Noon to midnight.
In addition to pouring beers, Commonwealth will have an ice cream sundae and beer float bar and live oysters from Ruby Salts Oyster Co. with live music from noon to 4 p.m. July Fourth Red, White and Brew at Maker’s Craft Brewery
735 E. 23rd St., Norfolk. 4-9 p.m.
Beer, barbecue and a band called Infinite Flava. What else do you need? July Fourth at New Realm Brewing
1209 Craft Lane, Virginia Beach. 2-9 p.m.
Here’s your chance to drink beer and get some axe throwing in. For the fourth, Killin’ Pine Mobile Axe Range will set up at New Realm. Red, Wit, and Blueberry Witbier at O’Connor Brewing
211 W. 24th St., Norfolk. Noon to 10 p.m.
O’Connor has a brew just for the holiday. Their Red, Wit, and Blueberry witbier returns Friday. Stop by and grab a pint of the American flag-inspired suds on Saturday. Fourth at the Finch 2020 at Oozlefinch Beers and Blending
81 Patch Road, Hampton. Noon to 10 p.m.
Want to drink your beer on an old military fort? Head to Fort Monroe’s Oozlefinch. They’ll have food trucks, live music from classic rockers Running With Scissors and a salsa stand courtesy of DaddyG Salsa. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets to spread out and take advantage of their large lawn overlooking the Hampton River. Independence Day at Paradise Ocean Club
490 Fenwick Road, Hampton. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Oceanfront club is throwing an all-day bash where you can catch some rays from your own beach or poolside cabana, take in a game or two of cornhole and volleyball, and listen to live music from Sammy Lee, The Outlaw Kings and Celeste Kellogg. Tickets are $10 for ages 18 and older, $5 for ages 4-17 and children 3 and younger get in free. Reaver Beach Brewing’s Fourth of July Bash
1505 Taylor Farm Road,
Virginia Beach. Noon to 7 p.m.
If you want a beer that’s half octopus, half transformer, this one’s for you. Reaver Beach is releasing their Hoptopus Prime on tap and in cans. Food truck Get Stuffed will be on site slinging tacos and DJ NiNi will be spinning from 2-6 p.m.
For history buffs
Liberty Celebration at The American Revolution Museum
200 Water St., Route 1020, Yorktown. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For the 244th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the museum’s programming will include artillery demonstrations and interpretive programs that showcase the challenges our nation’s founders faced and those to whom the nation’s rights of freedom and liberty did not apply. Watch “Liberty Fever,” a short film about the American Revolution, and visit the “Forgotten Soldier,” an exhibit that tells the stories of enslaved and free Africans and their contributions to establishing America. July Fourth Celebration at Colonial Williamsburg
101 Visitor Center Drive, Williamsburg. 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate in what was the capital city of the Colony and Commonwealth of Virginia from 1699 to 1780. For the holiday, Colonial Williamsburg will hold a reading of the Declaration of Independence and share the stories of enslaved Africans, who made up more than half of the city’s population when the Declaration was signed. Take part in Chownings’ Pig Roast for $45 (adults) or $22 (children) and an auction that included handforged items and American-made furniture.
Virtual celebrations for those at home
Fourth of July at Home, Newport News
Feel like staying home and doing your own thing? You can, but with a little help from Newport News city officials and staff. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families can pick up American flags and LED wands as well as a July Fourth yard sign from one of three locations to aid in celebration:
■ Denbigh Community Center, 15198 Warwick Blvd.
■ Brittingham-Midtown Community Center, 570 McLawhorne Drive
■ Doris Miller Community Center, 2814 Wickham Ave.
Residents are encouraged to decorate their homes and help light up the city at 9 p.m. For more information: 757-926-1400, nnparks.com. Fireworks at Home from Fort Monroe
Starting at 7 p.m., the city of Hampton will air a fireworks show on the Hampton city channel (channel 47 on Cox Cable and channel 22 on FIOS). Residents can also view the show online. For more information, visit fortmonroe.org.
Virtual 5K with the YMCA
For 36 years, the Mount Trashmore Family YMCA has hosted an Independence Day 5K. While they won’t have runners gather at the mount this year, you can still participate from the running path of your choice. The run is open to all ages, and funds for this year’s race will go toward the branch’s annual giving campaign. Register for the race at runsignup.com/ Race/VA/VirginiaBeach/ IndependenceDay5K.