PRINCETON — The two Virginia’s will be celebrating America’s Independence this week with food, games, music and fireworks.
Today, the Bluefield State College Community Singers will present a patriotic musical program at the War Memorial Building in Princeton at 3 p.m. The choir is composed of singers from both Mercer and Tazewell counties. The program is titled “Those Who Served” and will feature a variety of songs including “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood; Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” and “America, the Beautiful.” Of special interest will be the hymns of the Armed Services groups-Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy. The program will be free of charge to the public.
“The program is a special activity of the choir and Bluefield State College to honor those who have served to guarantee our life of freedom in America,” said Choir Director Don Kensinger.
The town of Alderson will be hosting the Second Annual Grand Gospel Concert today beginning at 7 p.m. at the Alderson Memorial Field. Suggested donations are $5 and the event will end with a fireworks display at 10 p.m.
The Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce and the town of Tazewell will be co-hosting a celebration on Monday, July 2 on the front lawn of Tazewell High School. Festivities will include a free concert at 6 p.m. featuring musical groups Steele Cookin’ and Black and Blue. Concessions, children’s inflatables and a fireworks display will also be featured during the event. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs. Due to construction there will me no admittance to the football stadium and parking at Tazewell Elementary School will be restricted. For more information on the event contact, Becky Duncan at 276-988-5091.
Residents will get to partake of various festivities beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4 at Hunnicutt Stadium in Princeton. The event is sponsored by the Princeton Rescue Squad , the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, the city of Princeton, and area businesses.
The event will feature bounce houses, food vendors, a sky diving demonstration and a car show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the high school rear parking lot. Music will begin at 3 p.m. featuring artists such as Transit Times, the John Taylor Band, Taylor Made, Rick K. and the Allnighters. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. No alcohol or tobacco will be permitted as the event is on school property.
Stacy Hicks, organizer of the event, said sponsors are hoping to provide fun for the whole family.
“We are hoping everyone has a great time, comes out and enjoys the day,” Hicks said. “We are hoping to have good weather and make this a fun day for everyone.”
The Bluefield Blue Jays will also be celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with America’s pastime on July 4. The Jay’s game against the Danville Braves will begin at Bowen Field in Bluefield, Va., at 7 p.m. and a fireworks display will follow after the game.
The town of Bramwell and Bramwell Volunteer Fire Department are co-sponsoring July 4 activities in Bramwell beginning at 1:30 p.m. with children’s activities on Main Street, a Bluestone Yacht Club Boat Parade at 3:30 p.m., and concerts featuring beginning Jonathan Buckner and Chosen Road and Bryan Goins with River Road featuring Melvin Goins at 7 p.m. A fireworks display will conclude the day’s events at dusk. Attendees are asked to bring their own folding chairs.
The Crab Orchard Museum in Tazewell, Va., will be hosting Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring costumed interpreters, blacksmithing, woodworking, spinning, apple butter making, butter making and other colonial period skills. Music will be performed by Shelby Jewell and the Bluegrass Kinsmen as well as the Bevins Family.
Children’s games will also be a part of the celebration with contests including ice cream and watermelon eating, bubble gum blowing and sack races. Adults can participate in wheelbarrow racing, crosscut sawing and the Whiskey Run. A re-enactment will be held at 3 p.m. featuring an encounter between colonial militia patriots, British loyalists and Indians. Food and drinks will be available on site and admission is free due to generous sponsorship. For more information, contact the museum at 276-988-6755.
CONSOL Energy and the Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a community Fourth of July party at Poplar Gap Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4. The event is free and will feature music by local artists James Meadows and The Sandy Shortridge Band from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Following the musical performances will be a fireworks display sponsored by the town of Grundy, Va. and the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors.
Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chair or blanket as well as a canned food item to help the Buchanan Chamber of Commerce in the Governor’s Food Bowl Challenge. Anyone bringing 15 cans or $10 to donate can enter to win a free door prize.
The Wythe County Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a family festival and firework display on Wednesday, July 4 from beginning at 3 p.m. and with fireworks at 10 p.m.
The Rural Retreat, Va., Lake Park Campground and Pool will be hosting a free Independence Day celebration on July 4 beginning at 3 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. with a fireworks display over the lake.
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Contact Kate Coil at kcoil@bdtonline.com
