by Tom Chillemi, Larry Chowning and Don Richeson –
Middlesex County is an area standout when it comes to Independence Day celebrations. It boasts big Fourth of July events in three separate Middlesex communities — Urbanna, Deltaville and Water View. Each has its own special approach to celebrating the nation’s birthday.
Urbanna
Although there will not be a fireworks show in Urbanna this year, there will be plenty to do. Three bands, food, games, a boat parade, a golf cart procession, and more are set for July 4, 5 and 6 in Urbanna.
Thursday, July 4
On Thursday, July 4, a family fun festival will be offered in Taber Park at 425 Bonner St. Day passes for the Marshall Community Pool are $5.
For children and those young at heart there will be a rock climbing wall, a foam party (bring a change of clothes), “Batter Up” with Nerf balls, and a cornhole tournament.
From noon to 4 p.m. DJ Hammer will play music. From 5-9 p.m. “The Michael Clark Band featuring Tracey Clark” will play soul, R&B and classic rock.
Ron Joseph’s Strawberry Street Cafe food truck — an Urbanna Oyster Festival regular — will have a child-friendly menu of hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream from noon to 4 p.m., with crab cakes and other specialties added to the menu at 4 p.m.
Friday, July 5
On Friday, July 5, there will be a town-wide “yard” sale as well as the fifth annual Urbanna Independence Day-themed golf cart procession through downtown Urbanna. The procession starts at 10:30 a.m. at Carts Inc. at 131 Grace St., then make several loops through downtown Urbanna. Virginia or Cross streets in downtown Urbanna will offer good viewing opportunities. For information, call 207-3221.
Saturday, July 6
On Saturday, July 6, activities shift to the Urbanna Town Marina, 210 Oyster Road, with two bands, food and fun.
As well as kayak and stand-up paddle board games and a water slide, a disc jockey, Middlesex Supervisor Wayne Jessie Sr., plays tunes from noon to 3 p.m., while the David Esleck Trio performs jazz for one hour starting at 3 p.m.
The ever popular Urbanna Boat Parade is set for 4 p.m. There are prizes for most patriotic and most creative. Call the town hall at 758-2613 to sign up.
Ron Joseph’s Strawberry Street Cafe food truck will be at the marina and from 5-9 p.m. the band Dance Candy will perform.
Although parking is limited at the marina, the town trolley, “Pearl,” will shuttle between town hall at 390 Virginia St. and the marina. Flag it down for a lift.
The boat ramp will be closed for July 6.
Deltaville
Although insurance concerns have prompted Urbanna to put aside its fireworks show, Deltaville is having fireworks. It will start after the Deltaville Deltas – Chesapeake Sharks 6 p.m. baseball game on Saturday, July 6, at the Deltaville Ballpark at 100 Ball Park Road. The fireworks will start sometime between 9 and 9:15 p.m.
Water View
The Upper Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department (UMVFD) in Water View is sponsoring an Independence Day event with a parade and other activities on Saturday, July 6. The parade through Water View will start at 11:30 a.m. and vendors and other activities will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“This is the first year we are having vendors,” said UMVFD Fire Chief Billy Collier. “We will be serving lunch right after the parade and hope people will bring their family members and their friends.”
