Collegiate Times

Now that students experiencing the sometimes painful and redundant experience that is summer courses have been through an entire session of classes, and many summer jobs and internships are in full swing, most summer Blacksburg residents are eagerly awaiting the break that a sorely needed holiday will bring.

Luckily for them, the Fourth of July is right around the corner and though many offices give employees the day off and classes are cancelled, the excitement of a holiday is overshadowed this year by the fact that the 4th is … a Wednesday.

Without any additional time off, this means that students and locals alike will only get one day of rest before returning to the grind. This leaves little room for road trips or extravagant plans, despite how sorely we might all need a break.

There is still hope, however, for anyone hoping to make the most of their day off with a relaxing, wholesome alternative to some of the other, more outrageous options. In that sense, I’ll leave the plans for Tuesday night up to you, and offer you ways to relax and enjoy what the Department of Parks and Recreation at Blacksburg has organized for our Independence Day.

The day kicks off like any of the great quintessential small-town celebrations, with a parade down Main Street.

“Our goal is a good old-fashioned, 4th of July celebration, including the traditional small town atmosphere,” said Jack Leahy, community center supervisor.

The parade is scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. from the old Blacksburg Middle School on South Main to the new YMCA building on North Main, so if you have any errands to run, expect traffic to be tough.

Following the parade, the rest of the fourth action will be held at the Municipal Park, located next to the Blacksburg Community Center and across from the high school.

“The city has been sponsoring a fourth of July celebration since, it seems like forever,” Leahy said. “We moved it to the Municipal Park a few years back, that added space for parking, and allowed us to set off the fireworks from the fields behind the high school” which makes for an excellent view of the action.

The park is plenty of space for such an event, where attendees can relax with blankets, chairs, picnics, sports equipment, and even pets to enjoy the ambiance.

All of the events being held that day are free to everyone, and as guests arrive at the main show at the park, they will be greeted by patriotic tunes played by the Blacksburg Community Band.

“Under the direction of Ed Schwarz, the band has always done a wonderful job at our fourth of July shows,” Leahy said. They will also be accompanied this year by the community chorus.

Following the band is the main event, a performance by Beatlemania Live starting at 8:15 p.m. “In the last few years we have always had do-wop groups, they tend to have music that is very popular and family-oriented” Leahy said. “The Beatles, being one of the hottest groups that ever performed, lots of people know the words and can sing along” which is always fun. “We just wanted something with a very broad appeal.”

Of course, no Fourth of July celebration would be complete without a dramatic and over-the-top fireworks display. The entire evening culminates in a big fireworks display at 9:15, so even if you can’t make it to the park, you’ll probably be able to see or hear the fireworks from all over Blacksburg.

“Our goal is just to bring people out, let them have a good time, and give them some entertainment with some really good fireworks,” Leahy said.