Collegiate Times

Fireworks, parades, food and friends: these are just a few of the delights that we get to enjoy annually on the 4th of July. Tim Kaine, the governor of Virginia, has declared July 3 a state holiday so that we may all have the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely four-day weekend. Furthermore, Virginia Tech has changed the scheduled start date for second summer session classes from July 3 to July 5 so students can have some time to commemorate the holiday as well. However, as we are granted these days off from our usual busy schedules, we are faced with the difficult decision of deciding where to celebrate this beloved 4th of July.

Don?t think that to enjoy a good time you have to travel all the way to Washington D.C. There are plenty of fun events going on around Blacksburg. Starting in the downtown area, there will be a parade sponsored by the Mt. Tabor Ruritans Club. The parade kicks off at 4 p.m. and will feature floats, marching bands, antique cars, race cars, horses, fire engines and much more. After the parade, there will be a series of performances and live music from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Municipal Park on Patrick Henry Drive. The Blacksburg Parks & Recreation Department will also be entertaining participants with various games, live music and food at the park. Fireworks will commence at 9:30 p.m. at Blacksburg High School. In the event of rain, the fireworks will be re-scheduled for the following night.

If you are looking for something to do in the earlier part of the day, before the town festivities, you can stroll on over to the Christiansburg New River Valley Mall, where they will be holding a special 4th of July sidewalk sale. For this special promotional time, you can save from 50 percent to 70 percent off on your preferred store?s clothing and accessories. Prizes will also be given away, such as a $100 New River Valley Mall gift card.

A little less traditional, but none-the-less controversial, event to check out will be the impeachment advertising that will be held around Christiansburg. Impeachment events are being held on this day in over 20 locations across the country and are designed to promote the ongoing impeachment campaign against the president. If you are really into this cause, there are "ImpeachBush kits" available through the Impeach Bush Resource Center, complete with signs, bumper stickers and other politically oriented mediums.

For a more lighthearted time with the entire family, especially children, head over to Roanoke City to the Mill Mountain Zoo. The zoo will be hosting special keeper chats, amphitheater programs and other animal-oriented activities. These events will be followed by fireworks at dark.

Still nearby, but requiring a little more traveling, you can visit Harrisonburg where there will be free activities, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, contests and live musical performances by Blue Suede and Robin and Linda Williams. There will also be historic walking tours held throughout the downtown area. The parade will begin at 5 p.m., and fireworks will be set off at dusk.

If you do not mind a bit of a drive through the mountains, pack up the car and make haste over to Washington D.C. where you will not be disappointed by their annual July 4th festivities. Events will be held throughout the day in our nation?s capital. From a parade along Constitution Avenue to the famous display of fireworks over the Washington Monument, you will not be at a loss for things to do up north. The Smithsonian will also be holding a Folklife Festival on the National Mall from 11 p.m. to 5 p.m. A parade will go on during this time featuring military units marching through the streets, local floats and special appearances by several noteworthy people. It would not be a bad idea to get into D.C. early, as this is always a popular event for people throughout the country and ensuring a nice firework-watching spot is always a good plan.

While in D.C., it would not be difficult to check out the live concert held by the National Symphony Orchestra with special performances by celebrities such as Gloria Estefan, the Beach Boys and the O?Jays. This will be held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building and is free for the public.

For an educational time, stop by Richmond on your way up north to enjoy a leisurely two-hour tour of ex-patriots? homes. On this tour, you will also be able to visit notably historic landmarks of war and struggle for our country. There will also be visitation periods to the St. Johns Church, where Patrick Henry once gave his most famous speech.

Wherever you choose to go on this 4th of July, just remember to celebrate what this holiday is all about: our freedom we have fought for as Americans. Don?t hesitate to include your friends and families in your enjoyment of these festivities around Virginia, and be sure to be safe wherever you are.