July 4^th is back with a bang! After a hiatus in 2020, Loudoun’s Independence Day celebrations return in style this year with a mixture of patriotic flag waving parades and fireworks displays bringing much needed fun.

Here we select some of the July 4^th events you won’t want to miss:

Star Spangled South Riding, July 2nd

Out the gates early on Friday, July 2 is South Riding’s patriotic Star-Spangled Parade. Dress up your bike, wagon, stroller or car with Fourth of July inspired decorations and frills and join the parade individually or as part of a group as it winds through the urban neighborhood. The procession leaves from Town Hall (43055 Center Street) at 5:30 p.m., turns right on Center Street and right on Upper Clubhouse, before ending at the SR Golf Course. Here you can lay out a picnic blanket or chairs and starting at 6 p.m. to enjoy music by the band E3 and food from multiple vendors. The night ends with a dramatic fireworks finale at 9 p.m. Visit www.southriding.net for more information or to check any last minute changes.

@fordsotr

Purcellville Independence Day Parade, July 3

Saturday July 3 is Purcellville’s big day. Starting at noon at Blue Ridge Middle School, the procession – everything from fire trucks and tractors to private vehicles and folks on foot – turns left onto South Maple Avenue, left onto East Main Street and left onto South Nursery Avenue, before ending at Emerick Elementary just south of historic downtown. Register at: www.purcellvilleva.gov/FormCenter/Parks-and-Rec-Forms-2/2021-Purcellville-Independence-Day-Parad-111.

@ryant.photography

Leesburg Independence Day Parade, July 4

Show your patriotic pride at Leesburg’s colorful parade through the historic downtown. Starting at Ida Lee Park at 10 a.m., the parade makes its way down King Street to Fairfax Drive, entertaining hundreds of flag-waving residents. The American Originals Fife and Drum Corps band performs at the intersection of King and Market streets at 9:45 a.m., and Loudoun Now newspaper is sponsoring the 13th annual Patriot’s Cup Competition for the best parade entry. Get those Lady Liberty costumes, Stars and Stripes top hats and World War II jeeps ready to roll!

@mosaicphotograph

Leesburg Concert and Fireworks at Ida Lee, July 4

After the daytime parade in town, watch the night sky light up in red, white and blue at Ida Lee Park’s live music and fireworks celebration on the evening of July 4. Gates open at 6 p.m. which, gives you enough time to lay out a blanket on the expansive lawn and enjoy live music, a picnic, hot dogs, burgers, funnel cake and ice cream, before the big blast off at 9:30 p.m. Choreographed to patriotic music, the fireworks are billed as the largest and most spectacular in the region. Visit https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/parks-recreation/events/independence-day for more details.

Independence Day at Franklin Park, Purcellville, July 4

Franklin Park fireworks are back! Head to the popular Purcellville park for its annual July 4 celebration starting at 5 p.m. Outdoor activities include group games, inflatables for small kids to play on, a scavenger hunt and glitter tattoos, while music is spun by DJ Bifocals who promises to pump up the patriotic tunes during the fireworks. There’s food truck grub if you get hungry and the fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m., live-streamed for free. A large turnout is expected, so arrive early since.

@gffletch

Fireworks in the Valley, Bluemont Vineyard, July 4

Sure, we’re biased, but we reckon the best views of fireworks along the east coast of the U.S. are from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Loudoun. And how better to enjoy them than with a glass of fine wine? On July 4 head over to Bluemont Vineyard for Fireworks in the Valley, where you get to experience all the official and private fireworks going off in the Loudoun Valley from your mountainside vantage point. The Tasting Room is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving wine, seasonal sangria, slushies and bomb pop sparklers, and there’s live music from Brad Doggett from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on the North Patio. Reservations to the Tasting Room are required and tables after 4 p.m. cost $15 per guest and include a souvenir glass and a glowstick.

Ashburn Village Fireworks Display, July 5

Closing out events on the evening of July 5 is the return of fireworks to Ashburn Lake in eastern Loudoun. The explosives will be set off from the island in the lake as friends and neighbors from Ashburn Village and beyond watch from chairs and picnic blankets laid out on the banks opposite. Parking is limited around the lake, so visitors are advised to park and walk. Check out ashburnvillage.org/blog.php for more information.