Fireworks on the Fourth

As we head into the star-spangeled weekend, these annual events are guaranteed to put some red, white and blue into your July Fourth outings. Check out our online events calendar for more things to do. And don't miss the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for your neighbors' thoughts about what freedom means and coverage of Fourth festivities.

Fireworks displays

All are on Saturday unless otherwise indicated.
"Celebrate Freedom": Heritage of America Band in concert of popular and patriotic favorites, children's activities and fireworks, 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY at Genworth Financial headquarters, 6620 W. Broad St. Free. (804) 281-6699.

"Racing to the Stars & Stripes" at Colonial Downs: Horse racing, patriotic concert and fireworks tripleheader starting at 6 p.m.
FRIDAY and SATURDAY. General admission: $2; kids 12 and younger free. (804) 966-7223.

Boom'n July: Fireworks extravaganza set to music, beginning at 9:15 p.m. Busch Gardens, James City County. Included in park admission. (800) 343-7946.

Colonial Heights fireworks: Bring blankets and lawn chairs to the Southgate Square-Wal-Mart area of Colonial Heights for the 9:15 p.m. fireworks display. Free. (804) 520-9390.

Colonial Williamsburg Independence Day: Fifes and drums open the festivities at 10 a.m. followed by the reading of the Declaration of Independence at 12:30 p.m., music at 8:15 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15. Free. (800) 447-8679.

Comcast Chesterfield Fourth of July Extravaganza: Children's activities, entertainment, music by Kings of Swing, food for sale and fireworks at dark, gates opening at 5 p.m. at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road. Free. (804) 796-7045.

Dogwood Dell Fourth of July Celebration: Fireworks follow free concerts featuring Back'N Da Day in doo-wop harmonies (5 p.m.), Carillon bell concert (6:30 p.m.) and Richmond Concert Band in patriotic and popular favorites (7 p.m.) in Dogwood Dell, Byrd Park. Free. (804) 646-3355.

Fourth at the Fort: Music, food, arts and crafts, inflatable KidZone (free 2-4 p.m.; $1 beginning at 5 p.m.) and more, culminating with fireworks at 9:35 p.m. in Williams Stadium at Fort Lee. Free. (804) 765-3176.
Appomattox 4th of July: 9 p.m., Appomattox County High School, 198 Evergreen Ave. Free. (434) 352-8268.

May the Fourth Be With You: Virginia Military Institute's Parade Ground, Lexington. Food, fun, festivities and free fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. http://www.sunriserotarylexva.org or (540) 463-5375.

"Nights of Fire": Fireworks and patriotic music, 10 p.m. at Kings Dominion, Doswell. Included in theme park admission. (804) 876-5000.

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration: Music, patriotic arts and crafts, contests, entertainment and more, 1-5 p.m. at Meadow Farm/Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. Free. (804) 501-5121.

Orange County's July 4th Picnic in the Park: Booster Park, 19046 Constitution Highway (state Route 20), Orange. Music, food and fireworks. $5. (540) 672-1794.

Powhatan Independence Day Celebration: 5-10 p.m., live music, food, fun and fireworks. Bullnanza Arena, 2693 Rocky Oak Road, Powhatan. $15 per car, or bring canned goods for donation to food bank and admission is $10 per car. (804) 512-7964.

Stars and Stripes Explosion: Music on multiple oceanfront stages beginning at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at 17th, 24th and 31st street parks and on the beach at 20th Street, Virginia Beach. Free. http://www.BeachStreetUSA.com or (757) 491-7866.

Smith Mountain Lake Fireworks Display: 5:30-9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, Parkway Marina, 16918 Smith Mountain Lake Parkway, Huddleston. Free. (540) 297-4412.

Compiled by Pat Row and Nancy Guthrie. The Virginia Tourism Corporation has an online Fireworks Finder at http://www.Virginia.org.