Visitors can take a step back in time in a special July Fourth commemoration at 5 p.m. today at the Goochland County Courthouse. Rob Coles, a descendant of Thomas Jefferson, will portray his ancestor at the event sponsored by the Goochland Bar Association and the Goochland Historical Society. Before Coles’ appearance, F. Ward Harkrader Jr., a retired circuit court judge, and John Williamson, a local attorney, will don colonial attire to read the Declaration of Independence from the courthouse steps.

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.

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. Jake Stargell, 11, of Midlothian, who attends St. Michael’s Episcopal School, said freedom means getting to do what he wants.