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It’s a time of celebration, both in Farmville and around the region. Several places have Independence Day events planned over the next week. But there are a few things you need to know before going. We’ll start with the first of those, Farmville’s Fireworks After Dark, and work our way around the area. 

The town’s activities will be very similar to the event held last year. Fireworks will take place the day before Independence Day on Wednesday, July 3 in the heart of the downtown area. 

The streets will close around 3 p.m. on Wednesday to prepare for the event. The vendors will start setting up and around 5:30 p.m. the event should be ready for folks to start arriving. The event officially starts at 6 p.m. when the first band will play on the Crute Stage on Main Street. 

Fireworks will start once the sky gets good and dark, which is expected around 9:30 p.m. and the show will last for around 20 minutes. The fireworks will be shot from the roof of Town Hall. And here’s where we single one thing out, as it gets asked either before or afterward every year. No, these are not the same type of fireworks you’ll see in Meherrin or elsewhere. Due to how close buildings and people are to the downtown fireworks, Farmville will use what’s called close proximity pyrotechnics.
What’s the difference? Well, these aren’t as loud and don’t have the fallout of regular fireworks. Even so, folks can expect the show to still have the same bright colors.

As for where it’ll happen, the event is in Downtown Farmville with a large portion of it on Main Street. The children’s area will be right there on the street, just like last year. The roads will be blocked at the Randolph Street and High Street intersections, the North Main Street and West 3rd Street intersection down to McDonald’s and then parts of Fourth Street to North Virginia Street.
For parking, some of the local businesses may have their lots open. However, there are plenty of public parking locations for folks to use around Main Street. Those who come may have to walk a bit but there should be plenty of free public parking available in the lots around downtown. 

And of course once it gets dark, head over to Town Hall to get a good spot for the fireworks show.

Pamplin celebrates independence

Shifting gears to Prince Edward County, this marks the ninth year Pamplin has celebrated Independence Day with an event. This time around, it’ll be held on the weekend after July 4. The activities start on Saturday, July 6, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the historic Pamplin City Train Depot. That’s located at 115 N. Main Street. 

Doors will open up at 5:30 p.m. as we mentioned, with the music starting at 6 p.m. This year’s event will feature a number of local musical groups. Along with music comes food. The menu this year in Pamplin includes hot dogs, both beef and Alpha-gal friendly, cooked on different grills. There will also be homemade baked beans and coleslaw, grilled vegetables grown by local farmers and chips, along with watermelon and cookies for dessert. Now the meal is free, but any donation given to PALS would be welcome, town officials said. 

The music this year will be from the Farm Use String Band, town officials said. The group features a lineup including fiddle, clawhammer banjo, guitar, harmonica, washboard, upright bass and vocals. There will be a chance to try out some dancing, with styles including contra, reels, circles, squares and free dance. 

Fireworks in Meherrin

Meanwhile, Meherrin will continue a longstanding tradition on that same night. The 38th annual celebration actually starts at 11 a.m., with Meherrin Fire and Rescue’s stew sale. Then the rest of the event, including food trucks, music and a fireworks display takes place at 102 Moores Ordinary Road, beginning at 4 p.m. Of course the fireworks will start once the sun goes down.