The first visitors allowed into the Statue of Liberty’s crown in nearly eight years made the arduous climb yesterday on an Independence Day journey laden with symbolism of freedom - and for one couple, romance. Aaron Weisinger got down on one knee on the crown’s small floor, pulled out a diamond ring and proposed to his girlfriend, Erica Breder. Stunned, Breder squeezed her eyes shut as tears rolled down her cheeks and whispered an immediate yes.

Over the years, Susan Brown spent many Independence Days with family and friends, tailgating in a parking lot behind the Department of Motor Vehicles on West Broad Street in Richmond. It was the perfect place to watch the fireworks show taking place at The Diamond. But with no baseball and no show, the gang needed to find a new place to watch the night sky yesterday.

Fourth of July celebrations in Richmond culminate in spectacular fireworks.

Watch Central Virginians honor July 4 with parades, fireworks and old-fashioned fun.

All are today unless otherwise noted.

We asked hundreds of Virginians to share their thoughts on this holiday. Here’s a sampling of their responses: For Michelle Lingus, freedom is a bright yellow hot-dog cart. Laid off from her job as a certified public accountant and with little savings left after caring for her sick father, Lingus re-evaluated her future.

Tomorrow’s the biggest picnic day of the year—and you have nothing patriotic to jazz up your Fourth of July table. Not to worry. Chris Nease can help you dazzle your guests. Not the pricey, impossibly obscure-materials kind of help. The quick, dollar-store kind of help. Nease, a Chester wife and mother of two, can take a few sheets of paper, some twine, a couple of pillar candles, plain white cups and a shower caddy and turn it into a party table worthy of an upscale home magazine.

Planning to display your American flag for the Fourth? Do it right. Basic respect is the key, according to Mike Darlington, commander of American Legion Post 354 in Bon Air. “The flag should be serviceable,“ Darlington said. “It shouldn’t be faded, torn or tattered. If it’s worn out, go ahead and replace it.“ If you leave the flag flying at night, it should be illuminated, Darlington said. If not, it should be taken indoors.

Growing up, Larry Robinson yearned to be an elevator man, just like the guys operating the lifts in the old-style department stores he loved as a child. He fulfilled that dream—sort of. The other day, he took me on a tour of where he works, and to get there we climbed aboard a 1931 elevator.

During the past two weeks, Times-Dispatch newsroom staff members asked people in the Richmond region, “What does freedom mean to you?“ We’ll run their photos and answers in tomorrow’s Times-Dispatch as part of our special Fourth of July weekend coverage. For Richard Lee, 61, an orthodontist in Midlothian, freedom of religion is most important.

Three families reflect on their new freedoms. Abdul Karim Dumbuya, who has been reunited with wife and son after the strife of Sierra Leone, considers himself “blesed and lucky.“

During the past two weeks, Times-Dispatch newsroom staff members asked people in the Richmond region, “What does freedom mean to you?“ We’ll run their photos and answers in Saturday’s Times-Dispatch as part of our special Fourth of July weekend coverage. Andrea Chavez of Chesterfield County came to the United States in 1979 from El Salvador. She and her husband, Juan, raised three daughters here and started the Association of Hispanic-Americans of Richmond.

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.

Little-known fact: Playing with sparklers on the Fourth of July—or any other day—could land you in jail in Richmond or the counties of Chesterfield and Henrico. Area fire officials are urging people to head to professional displays for the Independence Day holiday. While some forms of fireworks are allowed in certain jurisdictions across the state, the Richmond area allows little in the way of explosive home entertainment.

As we head into a star-spangled weekend, these annual events are guaranteed to put some red, white and blue into your July Fourth outings. Check our weekly calendar, on Page D5, for more things to do. And don’t miss The Times-Dispatch and TimesDispatch.com tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday for your neighbors’ thoughts about what freedom means and coverage of Fourth festivities.