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Dear Friends,
It's hard to believe that 2018 is half gone! I'm looking forward to lots of fun activities over the next few days celebrating our nation's Independence Day (see many events listed below).
By the way, did you know that on June 29, 1776, Virginia adopted its first constitution, which declared the government administered by King George III was "totally dissolved"?
FOURTH OF JULY – INDEPENDENCE DAY
Understanding American history goes deeper than names and dates. Our courageous Founding Fathers pledged to risk "...our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor..." because they understood freedom and where it comes from; understanding why is very important for us today.
On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, which had been written largely by Thomas Jefferson. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2nd, from then on, the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence.
That our rights come from God is etched in our consciousness and is clearly proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence, which we celebrate on the 4th of July. It declares "...that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.”
All human beings have the right to life and a right to life requires also a right to self-defense. Other unalienable rights recognized by the Founders include the right to freedom of religious worship, the right to freedom of speech, and the right to own property.
Many people mistakenly regard rights as coming from government and not from God. If that were the case then government, not God, becomes the final arbiter of rights. Our founders understood that protecting God-given rights should be the ultimate function of the American system of government, stating on July 4th, 1776 "...That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."
People who understand the blessings of liberty are God-given are best prepared to preserve them.
Happy 4th of July!
Sincerely,
P.S. M
ost legislation which has been signed by the Governor went into effect on July 1. "In Due Course," a selection of legislation passed by the 2018 Session of the General Assembly that is likely to affect the daily lives of the citizens of Virginia, is available here.
Complete information on all actions of the 2018 Session is available on the Legislative Information System website here.
Fireworks:
July 3
9:15 p.m. Winchester - for the best visibility, it is recommended to watch the show on North Kent St. between Piccadilly and Boscawen streets. The rooftops of the city parking garages will be closed during the event and viewing the fireworks show from the garage rooftops is prohibited.
9:30 p.m. – Lovettsville Rec Center, 57 East Broad Way, Lovettsville
9:30 p.m. – Waterford, Water Street Meadow, Waterford
July 4
9:30 p.m. – Ida Lee Park, 50 Ida Lee Drive, Leesburg
9:30 p.m. – Franklin Park, 17501 Franklin Park Drive,
Dusk - Sherando Park, Stephens City
Dusk - Middletown Community Park
Dusk - Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds - park at the fairgrounds, Clarke County High School, Chet Hobert Park, and D. G. Cooley Elementary School upper and lower campuses on Westwood Road. It is illegal and dangerous to park along Rt. 7.
July 5
9:30 p.m. – Ashburn Village @ 20585 Ashburn Village Blvd, Ashburn
Parades, etc:
Lovettsville
The Town of Lovettsville has a tradition of celebrating a day early. The town will hold its annual Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 3 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Hosted by the Lovettsville Community Center Advisory Board, the parade will include floats, tractors, go-karts, bicycles, fire engines and more. A replica Stanley Cup will also be featured in the parade to commemorate the Washington Capitals’ first ever championship and the town’s former name of Capitalsville.
Winchester
Rockin' Independence Eve
July 3, 5-11pm in Old Town Winchester
A family-friendly event featuring live entertainment, a beer and wine garden, a Snow White Grill hamburger eating contest and fireworks. Bands: Souled Out, Tom Fiammetta Street performers and entertainment: History stories by reenactor The Liberty Man, Peter McCory the one man band, balloon artist, face-painters, Mandy the Clown, Army utility vehicle display, a caricaturist and a free photo-booth.
Middletown
July 4 @ 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Middletown’s annual 4th of July Celebration is a hometown, community event that promotes our small town and family atmosphere. All events will be held in the Middletown Community Park, located at the intersection of Senseney Avenue and Second Street. In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks will be rescheduled. http://middletownva.gov/images/July_4th_2018.pdf
Leesburg
July 4th- Parade will step off from Ida Lee Park at 10:00 am and proceed down King Street, through downtown, and end at Fairfax Street. Downtown streets will close in preparation for the parade at 9:30 am. Ida Lee Park Concert by Party of Four, at 6:30 pm. Gates open at 6:00 pm.
Purcellville
July 4 from 12:30-2 p.m. Purcellville is set to hold its Independence Day Parade; parade will run from Orchard Drive onto Main Street and Maple Avenue before ending at Loudoun Valley High School. The route will be closed to traffic from 12-2 p.m. and will feature a “quiet zone” along Main Street that restricts canon fire, sirens and loud music for families with small children or those with sensitive hearing.
Frederick County
July 4, noon-10 p.m. at Sherando Park, Stephens City- A family-friendly event featuring live entertainment. The pool will be open until 8p.m. There will be food for purchase starting at 5p.m., and fireworks. Bands: Taylor Marie Wagner at 6p.m., Bryan Frazier at 7:30p.m. More info here.
Middletown
July 4, 8am- 10pm, Downtown Middletown, Middletown Community Park
Middletown goes all out for the Four th of July, with a parade, music and fireworks. This year, the parade will feature not one, but two grand marshals: Washington Redskins alumnus Santana Moss and current Redskins running back Chris Thompson. Festivities: Daylong festivities take place at Middletown Community Park, including $5 rides on the Virginia Giant Monster Truck, a softball tournament, craft vendors, food, games, live music and a corn-hole tournament. Bands: Kara & The Wayfarers (11a.m.), Robbie Limon (2 p.m.), The Reflex (6 p.m.) Parade: The parade begins at 5 p.m. at Lord Fair-fax Community College, down Main Street to 5th Street where the route turns left and ends at the newly renovated town hall on Church Street.
Berryville:
July 4, 7:45p.m. - Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds What to expect: A free evening of family fun including games, concerts and fireworks Bands: Clarke County Community Band, Dixie Rhythm Fireworks: Fireworks will begin at dusk. Ample parking is available at the fairgrounds, Clarke County High School, Chet Hober t Park, and D. G. Cooley Elementary School upper and lower campuses on Westwood Road. It is illegal and dangerous to park along Rt. 7.
Franklin Park
July 4, from 2 to 10 p.m. The celebration will be held at Franklin Park near Round Hill. Enjoy an evening of live music from Red, White & Blues, YazooZazz, Franklin Park Big Band and Zydeco-a-go-go, followed by fireworks accompanied by live music from Loudoun Symphonic Winds at 9:15 p.m. Parking is $10 per car and opens at 2 p.m. For details, go to franklinparkartscenter.org.
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