Independence Day happens to fall during one of the warmest, sunniest months of the year. For those in the mood to celebrate, the New River Valley offers a variety of events and opportunities complete with musical entertainment, good food and drink, and traditional fireworks.

The Motor Mile Speedway and Dragway in Fairlawn will be the host for the Motor Mile Independence Chili Festival.  The festivities will begin at noon and end at 10 p.m. Tickets for adults will be $10 and children’s tickets will be $5. Throughout the day, there will be various activities for children, and the proceeds from the event will be used to help reconstruct Pathway Christian Academy.

Over in Dublin, the NRV Fairgrounds will also join the celebrations. Between 4 and 9:30 p.m., the public will be invited to take part in various contests, as well as the Miss Hillbilly Pageant. There will also be “hillbilly” music to entertain the crowd prior to the fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Admission is free.

For those who are interested in an all-day event, Bisset Park in Radford is ideal. A 5k race will start off the festivities at 8 a.m. at Dudley’s Landing. Between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., children will have the opportunity to enjoy pony rides, an obstacle course, a kids’ castle, a giant slide, get airbrush tattoos, and many more activities. A karaoke contest will be taking place at 11 a.m. and a dog show will follow at noon. Between 2 and 9 p.m., there will be a variety of performances, ranging from country singers and a bluegrass band to patriotic readings and a comedy show. Finally, at 9:30 p.m., the fireworks show will commence.

Ken Goodyear, the director of Parks and Recreation for Radford, expects approximately 8,000 people to celebrate at Bisset Park throughout the day.

“The park is big enough to handle the crowds, vendors, music, etc. Plus it is the ideal location to shoot off the fireworks,” Goodyear said. “Everything is free. Mechanical bull, climbing wall, pony rides, inflatables, former Startler Brother Jimmy Fortune as a main event and great fireworks.

The Floyd Fandango Beer and Wine Festival is targeted to both the children and adult celebrators and will be complete with fireworks. More than 20 wineries and microbrews will be featured, with wine and beer tastings from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday of the Independence Day weekend. Along with the variety of beverages, there will be three separate stages for the six musical performances.

“We will feature the finest wines from around the state and microbreweries pouring great brews,”said Linda DeVito, the development and marketing director for Across-the-WayProductions, which is the sponsor for the Beer and Wine Festival. “There will be food, children’s activities, and juried art and craft exhibitors.”

Blacksburg will also be host to July 4 celebrations. From 2 to 10 p.m., locals will have the chance to enjoy a parade through downtown Blacksburg, watch performances by the Blacksburg Community Band and Crash, and a fireworks display. The festivities will be held in Municipal Park on Turner Street.

The Christiansburg High School football field will be the location for Christiansburg’s 11^th annual July 4 celebrations. Much like the other events in the New River Valley, there will be food, music, games, prizes, and, of course, fireworks. The event will be taking place from 5 to approximately 10 p.m.

“Prizes this year will include a grill donated from Wal-Mart. Tickets will be given to the first 250 that show up,” said Charlton McCoy, the supervisor of special events and recreation center for the Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Department. “[My expectations are] a safe family-friendly event that everyone can enjoy with the best fireworks display that’s in the area.”

All across the New River Valley Independence Day celebrations abound. Between the games, prizes, and entertainment, both children and adults will have something to suit their interests.

Rachel Shapiro is an intern for the New River Voice. She enjoys Independence Day and plans to spend some time doing some of this cool stuff with her family, who will be in town for the weekend.