Fourth of July Celebration at Dogwood Dell

Pack a picnic, grab a blanket and bring the entire family to the Fourth of July Celebration at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park. This annual event is part of the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ 62nd Festival of heARTS, a summer-long series of free outdoor family entertainment. Dogwood Dell, 1301 Blanton Avenue, is located within Byrd Park.

The Fourth of July Celebration begins at 4 p.m. with face painting and balloon art by Uncle Curt, a moon bounce, and games at the entrance to Dogwood Dell. The Byrd Park Fountain Lake paddleboats will be available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 4.

At 5:15 p.m., the Ephesus Drumline will march from Maymont to Dogwood Dell for a brief performance. At 5:45 p.m., the Richmond Concert Band jazz group will play several selections, followed by the reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. The Richmond Concert Band will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. to perform a program of pop, patriotic music, and highlight the evening with the playing of the “1812 Overture,” which concludes with the annual fireworks display.

Guests should arrive early to secure seats in the outdoor amphitheater, Byrd Park and the surrounding area. Event parking will be available at City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue, with free shuttle bus service beginning at 4 p.m. Individuals with valid handicapped parking stickers will be allowed to park in the Dell parking lot to the east of the Carillon. Carillon neighborhood streets will be closed to traffic and parking. The Boulevard Bridge will close at approximately 7 p.m. and remain closed until the fireworks display has concluded.

Vendors will have food and drinks for sell throughout the evening. Guest are encouraged to bring picnics, but no glass containers or alcohol are allowed in the park. Dogs are not allowed in the park, and the adjacent Barker Park Dog Park will be closed July 3, July 4 and July 5 for safety purposes.

The Fourth of July Celebration rain date is July 5. For a complete listing of this year’s Festival of heARTS lineup or for specific event information, follow the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using @RVAParksandRec, go to www.RichmondGov.com/parks and click on Cultural Arts, or call the Dell Information Line at (804) 646-1031.