Collegiate Times

For one day in Blacksburg, the orange and maroon is replaced with red, white and blue

The Town of Blacksburg organizes a July 4 celebration each year complete with food, music and fireworks. The day begins with a picnic and tour at the Smithfield Plantation, and ends with   fireworks at the Municipal Park.

The afternoon is highlighted with a parade organized by the Mount Tabor Ruritan Club, a community service organization mostly centered around Blacksburg. 

Gavin Fulkner, the parade coordinator, has been with the organization since it began a July 4 parade for Blacksburg 23 years ago. "Blacksburg needed a parade," he said. "It makes it into a proper celebration."

Groups can create floats - following certain size guidelines - and the floats are judged each year by community members chosen by the Ruritan Club. 

Prizes are awarded to the Best Theme Representation, Best Youth Unit, and Best Overall Unit. The theme this year is "Amazing American Heroes."

While the Blacksburg Community Band normally provides the music for the parade, the 29th Army Band from Roanoke will play this year. 

Groups currently in the parade line-up include Blacksburg Transit, Blacksburg Fire Department, and the Virginia Tech orientation leaders.

The Ruritan Club will also host a free movie at the Lyric after the parade. The movie this year is "A League of their Own" starring Tom Hanks.

The night will conclude with live music and fireworks. Shuttles will run from the Price's Fork Commuter Lot to the Blacksburg Municipal Park.

From 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the Blacksburg Municipal Park, the Blacksburg Community Band and a band called Crash will play.

At 9:30 the fireworks will begin to round out the evening.