America turns 234 this year. I think we look pretty good for our 234th Birthday, don't you? Here in Loudoun, we're gettin' all fancied up in our dress red white and blues, because we're serious about celebrating our indepedence! There's so much do to here we have to spread it over three days!
Friday: Leesburg is the place to be!
As a kickoff to their "Hometown Friday" segments, Fox 5 is broadcasting LIVE from the courthouse lawn and Dodona Manor, Friday morning between 6am and 10am. There will be cooking demonstrations, wine pairing, tastings from Mom's Apple Pie, a historian, a representative from the Redskins, live music and MORE. We hope you'll join us... and maybe even get your 15 minutes of fame!
Then, around Happy Hour "First Friday" starts downtown. We do this the first Friday of every month...so if you miss this weekend, catch us in August. Most of the shops are open late and hosting a special event. There are art exhibits and auctions, several live concerts, a luau, some special Independence Day parties, a live comedy show, give aways and more. Check out http://www.firstfridayleesburg.com/ for more information.
ONLINE: If you can't be with us physically, be with us VIRTUALLY! All day we'll be doing fun contests with fans and giving away prizes via social media - check out www.facebook.com/leesburgva for more info!
Saturday
Hillsboro has an authentic hometown feel to their celebrations, where festivities start at 6pm. Boy and Girl Scouts will support the Hillsboro Community Association, pulling together to provide patriotic presentations, music, facepainting, sack races, and good old fashioned fun. The Ruritan club will have meals available for sale (think hot dogs and BBQ), and there will be free ice cream for all! Local businesses and citizens contribute many goodies for raffles and bake sales with proceeds going to preserve the Old Stone School. Aerial and ground fireworks begin after dark. The event (except for fundraisers) is free, but donations are tax deductible and welcomed.
Lansdowne (Eastern Leesburg) Resort is celebrating from 7pm to 10pm...enjoy live music and fireworks from outdoor terraces or bring a blanket and find a comfy place on the lawn. Concert and Fireworks are free, refreshments and picnic baskets are available for purchase.
Lovettsville is hosting a celebration starting at 530 with a parade, ending with the fireworks display that starts at 915. Sandwiched in between will be fun family activities, live music, and refreshments! (Free)
In Sterling, the Sterling Golf Club invites us all to join them at the pool at 1, and then to enjoy food and festivities with them until the fireworks display, which start at 915. (Free)
Sunday
Ashburn Village gets its party started at Fincastle Field where neighbors decorate bikes, wagons, and strollers and show off their spirited garb in a great old fashioned parade (starting at 1030)! Then, on to other fun, like enjoying the live DJ, dunk tank, inflatibles and more! The pool party is 11 to 4, and there's live music and fireworks which start after dusk.
Leesburg's festivities begin at 10am with a downtown parade. Dodona Manor will be open from 2:30 to 5:00 for free tours and an ice cream social with live music. There's a little time to do some browsing in our downtown shops before or after the ice cream social. Then, festivities continue at Ida Lee Park at 6pm, with live music starting at 7, and then fireworks (timed with the music) starting at 930. ($1 donation for ice cream; all other activities are Free)
Middleburg's party starts at the pool at 11am....then they add games, music, contests and food and and fun is had by all. The pool closes at 6pm. Middleburg Fireworks begin at 9. (Free)
Purcellville has activities EVERYWHERE! Starting at noon is the Firemans Parade (from Emerick Elementary to Loudoun Valley High). At 1:30 other festivities begin with childrens rides, food, crafts and live music (nominal fee for childrens rides). Then, at 6pm, head on over to Franklin Park where you'll enjoy more live music and great food until fireworks start soon after dark. (Suggested donation is $5 at Franklin Park, Town activities are free)
Sterling has an event on the 4th, too! This one is at Claude Moore Park (Lanesville Heritage Area)... an Ol'Time Celebration! A pie eating contest, wagon and pony rides, crafts, live music and more! It's all going on 10:30am to 3:00pm.
No matter what corner of our county you're in, there's sure to be fun nearby! I think John Adams would be proud! Did you know that he predicted we'd celebrate our Indepedence in just such a manner? Wherever you are, whatever you do, stop for a minute this weekend to reflect upon the courage it took our forefathers to create this great nation... and the courage and sacrifice made every day by our leaders and soldiers and fellow countrymen to maintain America~ Land of the free, and Home of the Brave!PS One more tip - try out fireworks 3d glasses - they make fireworks (and just about any light) look like this:
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Thinking of buying or selling a house in Loudoun?
Check with a local expert:
Vicky Chrisner
703-669-3142
