Our picks for what’s happening in the Hampton Roads region:
Yorktown celebration
Yorktown is having its 45th Independence Day Celebration with festivities starting at 8 a.m. with a run-walk and ending with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. The Patriotic Food Pavilion opens at 3 p.m. Fun for the family.
Thursday. Historic Main Street and Riverwalk Landing, 331 Water St. 757-890-5900. bit.ly/Yorktown4th
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July 4th Celebration
Celebrate Independence Day at the Great American Picnic & Fireworks. Enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue and other tasty treats. Top off the evening by watching the fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
5 to 10 p.m. Thursday. Town Point Park, 113 Waterside Drive, Norfolk. 757-441-2345. bit.ly/July4PicnicVA
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Amusement park eats and drinks
Head to Kings Dominion this summer. Watch the fireworks at 10 p.m. for Star Spangled Nights for Independence weekend: Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Return July 13 through 28 for the Grand Carnivale, featuring the culture and cuisine of China, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Menu includes smoked duck fried rice, crepe Florentine, schnitzel sliders, cannoli and paella. The fun doesn’t stop there.
The Food and Wine Festival is Aug. 2 through 25 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Sip local wine from places such as Chateau Morrisette, Barboursville and Williamsburg Winery while enjoying a charcuterie board with lavender honey and other treats.
16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell. 804-876-5000. bit.ly/KSDEvents
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Smashin’ good time
Meet friends at the Pungo Smash Fest for all-you-can-eat shrimp, smash buckets and more. Regular table seating is limited to two hours. Live music starts at noon and lasts until closing.
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Blue Pete’s Restaurant, 1428 N. Muddy Creek Road, Virginia Beach. 757-426-2278. $29 shrimp, $10 buckets. bit.ly/PungoSmash
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Barbecue contest
Bayside Harley Davidson is having a barbecue contest. No entry fee. Bring your best beef, chicken, pork or other flavorsome proteins. The public gets to taste and vote. Winners get cash.
Noon to 1:30 p.m. July 13. 2211 Frederick Blvd., Portsmouth. $5 tastings. 757-397-5550. bit.ly/BHDBBQ
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Other events to explore
4th of July Feast: 4 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. St. George Tucker House, 113 W. Nicholson St., Williamsburg. 888-293-1776. $45 adults; $25 children 3 to 10. bit.ly/4JulyFeast
Independence Day Market: 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Doodle Doo Farms, 416 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach. 757-237-4920. bit.ly/DDFarmsVB
Weekend Brunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Three Notch’d Brewery & Craft Kitchen, 4561 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach. 757-916-8080. bit.ly/3Notchd
Order Up: Three Notch’d Brewery and Craft Kitchen in Virginia Beach hits the spot
Charcuterie Workshop with Storyboard Charcuterie: 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 9. Azar’s Mediterranean Specialties, 108 Prescott Ave., Virginia Beach. Tickets $70. 615-965-5204. bit.ly/CharVB
Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com, on X, @gibsonrekaya
