Celebrate Independence Day in Danville

From competing in an apple pie contest to rallying for lower taxes, local residents have the opportunity to celebrate American independence in a variety of ways on Saturday.

The Community Market will be open as usual starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, with some of the Danville Braves on hand to sign autographs from 10 to 11 before their game at 6 p.m. against the Princeton Rays.

There will be free hot dogs at the farmer’s market and an apple pie contest, along with bottle rocket activities at the Danville Science Center.

Carrington Pavilion will open at 5 p.m. with free crafts and rides for kids, with entertainment beginning at 6:30. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th District, will kick off the evening with vice mayor T. Wayne Oakes before local singer Terry Agnor performs. The Danville Symphony Orchestra will also perform.

“Danville’s kind of Americana at its best,” said Heather Vipperman, assistant director of tourism, “so when you celebrate the Fourth here, you really see what it’s like to be an American and the appreciation of what people did to build our country.”

From 6 to 9 p.m. is the Main Street Cruise In, and the fireworks extravaganza begins at dark. Sparklers are not permitted.

“They always bring a fantastic show,” Vipperman said of Zambelli Fireworks, the company that has set off Danville’s fireworks for the last several years. The fireworks will be set off over the Dan River and will last about 30 minutes.

Also happening July 4 is a Tea Party Tax Day in Ballou Park at noon, hosted by the Tea Party Patriots. Del. Danny Marshall, R-14th District, will speak. For more information on the tax rally, visit teapartypatriots.org. 

Contact Amos at or (434) 791-7983.