Preparing for the 4th

By Uriah A. Kiser

Published: June 27, 2008

STAFFORD — A citywide Independence Day celebration is expected to draw big crowds, offering an alternative to driving long distances to enjoy a fireworks display.

Fredericksburg’s Heritage Festival began more than 35 years ago as a way to bring people downtown to celebrate the Fourth of July, according to Roberta Gold, organizer of the event.

This year’s celebration will include several events in and around the city, culminating with a $21,000 fireworks show in Stafford’s Pratt Park beginning at 9:15 p.m.

“This is just a great way to spend the day with family and friends,” said Gold, who has been organizing the festival for the past nine years.

Accompanying the fireworks will be a live orchestra from the University of Mary Washington, which will be playing a mix of patriotic songs during the show.

“The country needs a little boost of patriotism,” said Kevin Bartram, director of the University of Mary Washington and Community Symphony Orchestra.

Bartram, who is said the performance is the largest of the year for his orchestra, noted the audience should expect a mix of favorite songs, with some added fiddle to capture more of an American flair.

The daytime festivities begin at 8 a.m. with a five-mile run. The race begins on Caroline Street, near the train station, and ends at the Fredericksburg Visitors Center. Gold is quick to point out that the U.S. Track and Field Association has sanctioned the race. Registration for the event begins 6:15 a.m.

At 9:30 a.m. the sixth-annual Heritage Day Parade will wind its way down through downtown. Bicyclists, walkers and strollers are invited to join. Gold said there would also be veterans’ motorcyclists and a group of antique cars and rescue vehicles.

“The antique cars are going to play a special part in the day’s events,” said Gold.

The Stafford Classic Car Club plans to display automobiles from the years 1925 through 1985 so festival attendees will be able to see how the design of the car changed over the span of 80 years.

At 10 a.m. the Fredericksburg Area Museum will present the Festival of the Streets, a citywide celebration that will feature crafters, children’s games, food and a chance to dunk the mayor in a tub of water, with the dunking booth.

A live music stage will feature five acts providing family entertainment.

“When we started the festival there was nothing more than a hot dog truck that served beer, and only about 18 craft vendors; people really didn’t have a reason to come downtown, “said Gold.

Today the festival has grown to more than 165 vendors lining Fredericksburg’s streets, most of who travel from all parts of the Commonwealth to attend, said Gold.

George Washington’s Ferry Farm will also be participating the event, offering children the opportunity to talk with live re-enactors portraying Washington himself, and blacksmithing, cooking and sword fighting demonstrations.

Trolley service will be available to Ferry Farm from downtown for $1 per person, ages 3 and up. Food and drinks will be available at venues throughout the day.

This year’s festival is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors to Fredericksburg, which Gold says is quickly becoming an Independence Day destination spot.

Another factor that is expected to drive up attendance is the cancellation of the traditional display of fireworks at the Naval Facility at Dahlgren. King George County supervisors cancelled the show due to budget constraints earlier this year.

“We’re expecting people to come from as far away as Pennsylvania and South Carolina. It’s going to be big,” said Gold.