When it comes to the Fourth of July, Fairfax City throws one heck of a bash. So next week’s Independence Day celebration promises to be as spectacular as ever. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a flyover by The Flying Circus’s replica World War II-era planes, signaling the start of the largest July 4 parade in all of Virginia.

This year’s theme is “We Stand United” and the parade goes on, rain or shine. It steps off from 4100 Chain Bridge Road and loops around downtown Fairfax along Chain Bridge, Main Street and University Drive to the reviewing stand on Armstrong Street.  

The colorful, two-hour extravaganza will feature a multitude of bands, gigantic balloons, floats, superheroes, dancers, cultural performers, firefighters, police, princesses, political dignitaries, bagpipe groups, color guards, clowns and Boy, Girl and Cub Scouts. Local highlights will also include the Fairfax High and Woodson High marching bands, members of the City of Fairfax Theater Co., the Kena Shriners, Fairfax High Alumni Kazoo Band, the Fairfax Jubil-Aires, and the City of Fairfax Regional Library Precision Book Cart Drill Team. 

But that’s just the start of the fun. Immediately after the parade, Fire Station 3 at 4081 University Drive will hold Future Firefighters Day from noon-2 p.m. Families will enjoy children’s activities, learn about fire safety and get to explore the station’s fire engines.

In addition, the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, 10209 Main St., will be celebrating its 32nd anniversary from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and the public is invited. Lemonade, birthday cupcakes and family activities will be offered on the lawn. And attendees may also check out the museum’s “The Fairfax Story” exhibit, plus its current traveling exhibit, “Immigration: An American Story.”

Then once evening arrives, the entertainment scene shifts to Fairfax High, 3501 Lion Run, from 6:30-10 p.m., for the evening show and fireworks display. Ice cream, barbecue, empanadas, kettle corn, cotton candy and other festival foods will be available for purchase.

All bags and coolers will be checked before attendees are permitted to enter the event area for the evening show. Bag checks will begin at 4:30 p.m., and pets (except for service animals), alcohol, fireworks, weapons and smoking are prohibited.

For more information about Fairfax City’s Fourth of July celebration, go to fairfaxva.gov/July4.

Important Changes

Heads up to everyone planning to attend the evening’s festivities and fireworks display. This year, things won’t be the same as always. Fairfax High’s parking lot will be the seating area for the evening show, and people are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. 

In addition, the fireworks will be launched from the Army-Navy Country Club, instead of the football field, so this will be a big change from what people are used to. The stadium will be open, but ADA-accessible seating will not be available, and the viewing area will be on the away side of the stadium, not the home side. 

Evening Show & Fireworks Schedule 

* 6:30-8 p.m. - Ocho de Bastos, a Latin pop rock band, will perform a free concert.

* 8-8:30 p.m. – Brief, welcoming remarks and a parade-awards ceremony.

* The Vienna-Falls Church Chorus will sing the National Anthem.

* 8:30-9:30 p.m. - Ocho de Bastos again takes the stage.

* Around 9:30 p.m. – The fireworks show begins. (Rain date July 5).

Parking and Shuttle Buses

* For the parade, attendees are encouraged to use the free shuttle service, since parking will be limited. Shuttle buses will run from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. from George Mason University’s Rappahannock River Parking Deck, 4400 University Drive; Woodson High, 9525 Main St.; and Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Ave. 

* For the evening show, there is no public parking or seating on Cornell Road, and Lion Run will be closed to traffic from 4-11 p.m. Free ADA-compliant shuttle service will be available from 5-11 p.m. from Woodson High to Fairfax High.