YORKTOWN—The public is invited to Yorktown’s 46th Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4.
This free, family-friendly event includes activities on Historic Main Street and along the waterfront at Riverwalk Landing. Also, visitors can take advantage of special programming at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (free for York County, James City County, and City of Williamsburg residents) from 9 a.m-5 p.m.
Schedule of events:
- 8 a.m., Yorktown Independence Day 8K/5K Run/Walk (virtual and in-person). Race Day registration/packet distribution begins at 7 a.m. Medals will be distributed at the 8K finish line for the first 350 registered runners who cross the finish line. The York County Historical Museum is still accepting registrations at runsignup.com. Adult registration is $60 for the 8K and $50 for the 5K. Youth registration (ages 15 and under) is $45 for the 8K and $40 for the 5K. Refreshments will be served at the finish line. Awards for age brackets and the fastest overall top three men and women in the 8K in-person will be handed out at the end of the race. The run/walk will begin and end in the lot next to the York High School tennis courts.
- 9 a.m, Patriotic Parade. The parade, along Water and Main streets, is coordinated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 824. Festive music will be provided by DJ Ben Herrick.
- 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Family activities, outdoor games, presented by Riverwalk Landing Business Association at Riverwalk Landing.
- 1 p.m., Hot Dog Eating Contest, presented by by Carrot Tree Kitchens at the Riverwalk Landing Stage.
- 2 p.m., Festive Music with guitarist Phil Poteat performs at the Riverwalk Landing Stage
- 2-6 p.m., Balloon Artist at Riverwalk Landing.
- 3 p.m., Patriotic Food Pavilion Opens at Riverwalk Landing.
- 4 p.m., Evening Event Parking Opens at Yorktown Battlefield, Cook Road and Ballard Street. the parking area will close when capacity is reached.
- 7 p.m., The Fifes and Drums of York Town perform, reading of the Declaration of Independence, Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony at the Riverwalk Landing Stage.
- 8 p.m., Super Jazz Band Concert featuring Conni Ironmonger at Riverwalk Landing Stage.
- 9:15 p.m. – Fireworks Display, over the York River, visible from Yorktown Waterfront and Victory Monument.
Parking information
All-day street traffic blockades include Zweybrucken Road, Comte de Grasse Street, a portion of Water Street, Ambler Street and Main Street, from Zweybrucken to Ballard. The Beach Picnic Area will also be closed to vehicular traffic, and open to pedestrian traffic only. Church, Nelson, Smith and Bacon Streets will be restricted to residents only. Please note that the Colonial Parkway leading into Yorktown is currently closed due to maintenance.
Beginning at 4 p.m., visitors attending evening activities must park on the Yorktown Battlefield at the corner of Cook Road and Ballard Street, which can be accessed via Cook Road. The Battlefield will close to the public at 8:30 p.m., or once the battlefield reaches capacity. This includes visitors attempting to access the town via Alexander Hamilton Boulevard, Goosley Road, Old Williamsburg Road and Mathews Street, by way of George Washington Memorial Highway.
Those are not a Yorktown Village resident, business owner, or don’t have an official pass, will not be permitted to proceed beyond the Battlefield parking area after 4 p.m.
Morning parade closures include Water Street, from Read Street to Mathews Street, from 8:45-10 a.m., and Ballard Street, from Water Street to Alexander Hamilton Boulevard, from 8:45 -10 a.m. Traffic coming into town off George Washington Memorial Highway via Alexander Hamilton Boulevard from 8:45-10 a.m. will be directed away from the parade route. The town will re-open to vehicular traffic following the parade.
The Yorktown Trolley will run from approximately 10 a.m., following the parade, until 5 p.m. It is free, air-conditioned, ADA accessible, and includes several convenient stops.
