Weekend Roundup: Food, Family and Fireworks

By Ryan Lytle

Thursday, July 2, 2009

It's a time for celebration in America, and Loudoun has come prepared to provide you with all your Fourth of July desires. From fireworks to music and food to family, this weekend proves to be a very patriotic one.

Lovettsville Independence Day Celebration

Start the celebrations on Friday, July 3, at the Lovettsville Community Center with a hometown parade, featuring local businesses and families from the area.

Following the parade, there will be activities to entertain the younger crowd.

"We'll have a rock wall, moonwalk, face painting, cake walk," said Lovettsville Community Center Receptionist Kelly Goodman. "It's definitely family friendly."

Along with the parade and activities, there will be food, refreshments and live music.

As night creeps on, fireworks will bring the celebration to a triumphant close.

The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Admission to the celebration costs $4 for people ages 13 and up, $3 for children ages three to 12 and free for children under the age of three.

The Lovettsville Community Center is located at 57 E. Broad Way in Lovettsville. For more information, call 540-822-5284.

Ol' Time 4th of July Celebration

Celebrate July 4th the old-fashioned way Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Claude Moore Park.

For the $5 cost of admission, enjoy pony and wagon rides, games, and an exhibit called "Reptiles Alive."

"[Reptiles Alive] is an exhibit that shows off real reptiles," said Claude Moore Park Naturalist Dodie Lewis. "It's a very animated show. It's fun."

There will also be nature exhibits, tours and crafts.

"We will have a big variety, including patriotic crafts." Lewis said.

Along with these activities will be the acoustic sounds of Gary Smallwood.

Claude Moore Park is located at 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road in Sterling. For more information, call 571-258-3700.

Independence Day Celebration in Middleburg

As the evening begins to settle in, the Middleburg Community Center is hosting a celebration Saturday to keep the fun going until dark.

If you are looking to relax by the pool before the event, the Middleburg Community Center pool will be open from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. for regular admission cost.

As 6 p.m. rolls around, the house DJ will play the crowds' most requested family-friendly songs.

There will also be games and contests for the families to compete with one another.

"There will be the regular picnic-type games," said Middleburg Community Center spokesperson and Parks and Recreations Department Worker Sheri Conrad.

The cost of admission is free, so expect a modest crowd as the fireworks show draws near.

"We usually have about 500 to 800 people," Conrad said.

The Middleburg Community Center is located at 300 W. Washington St., in Middleburg. For more information, call (540) 687-6375.

July 4th Celebration at Franklin Park

If you are looking for a little Bluegrass and Folk music to go with your fireworks, Franklin Park will be offering both at its celebration Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m.

"I think the theme of this year is celebrating our youth in music," said Franklin Park Arts Center Manager Jeff Stern.

Three of the four bands performing - International Gathering of Youths, The Polka Dots and Acoustic Burgoo - are in their late-teens or early-20s.

The lone group above the "youth" description - the Loudoun Symphonic Winds Orchestra - will provide the live background music during the fireworks performance.

"We try to push the music," Stern said. "The music is good, so come early and avoid the hassle of crowds later."

At an admission of $5 per car load, expect there to be a large crowd.

"If the weather is good, we're expecting around 8,000 to 8,500 [people]," Stern said.

Franklin Park is located at 17501 Franklin Drive in Purcellville. For more information on the event, call (540) 338-7973.

Tagged: Claude Moore Park, entertainment, fireworks, Fourth of July, Franklin Park Center, holiday, Lovettsville, Middleburg, parade

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