Collegiate Times

Calendar of events for the Fourth of July in Blacksburg.

Students spending their first summer in Blacksburg often panic about Fourth of July plans.

If having a cook-out and sparklers isn’t enough to tickle your fancy, Blacksburg has provided a slew events throughout the day in honor of our country’s independence day.

Historic Smithfield Plantation will be having a celebration on July 4 from 10 am - 1 pm where town residents, students, and visitors alike can enjoy colonial music, dancing, kids’ games, and watch a Revolutionary War re-enactors drill.

There will also be a tour of the famous 250-year-old home and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Food from the Log Cabin BBQ will be for sale or participants can pack a picnic lunch.

Hang around Duck Pond or peruse Downtown Blacksburg while the Mt. Tabor Ruritan Club sets up for the 25th annual parade.

This year the parade will begin at 2 pm. Due to construction, the parade route will begin at Old Blacksburg Middle School, head down Main Street, turn left onto College Avenue, and end on Otey Street.

Local restaraunts will be sure to have to special deals and meals for the occassion.

Don’t worry, the dust from the demolition will have settled by the time the parade sets off.

After the parade, the Municipal Park  will host live music at 5 p.m.     

Bands such as No Strings Attached, The Meter’s Running featuring the Big Dog Brass, Blacksburg Community Band, Blacksburg Community Strings, and Celebration Chorus will be performing.

Following the parade, the Lyric Theatre will screen a free movie, Remember the Titans, sponsored by Mount Tabor Ruritan Club.

Weather permitting, the evening will culminate in a fireworks display at the Municipal Park at 9:30 p.m. just after the movie showing finishes. Bring a blanket and some snacks and enjoy a timeless Fourth of July tradition.

Blacksburg Transit will be shuttling from Tech’s parking lot (lot “C” closest to Stanger Street) beginning at 5 pm.

The New River Valley will be roaring with activity next Monday, and it looks like with the events planned by our local community, Fourth of July will be a very memorable one for all involved. For more information on any of the events listed here check Blacksburg’s website at www.blacksburg.gov/recreation and the Blacksburg Recreation Department at 540-961-1135.

A version of this article appeared in the Jun 30 issue of the Collegiate Times.