Independence Day is here. Tuesday’s Fireworks After Dark at the Farmville Municipal Airport whetted our readers’ appetites for fun summer events, find additional places in the Heart of Virginia to celebrate the Fourth of July, and the summer, here:

Banners of Bravery

High Bridge Trail State Park, Camp Paradise entrance 1681 Aspen Hill Road, Rice

Wednesday, July 4, 10 a.m. to noon

Join Ranger Hallie on the Fourth of July and celebrate the history of the American Flag. This timeline will start in our country’s colonialization era, move through the Civil War, and end with today’s flag, a release from the park cited. This event is open to children and will have a cool craft at the end of the program for them to enjoy.

To learn more, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/high-bridge-trail#general_information or call (434) 315-0457.

Highway marker dedication

Farmville Confederate Cemetery, in the area of 835 Longstreet Road, Farmville.

Wednesday, July 4

A dedication for a highway marker for the Farmville Confederate Cemetery will take place off North Main Street at 10:30 a.m.

Red, White and Green Front

Green Front Furniture, 316 N. Main St., Farmville

Wednesday, July 4, noon-2 p.m.

Green Front store will have a cookout in The Courtyard, across from Charley’s Waterfront Cafe and Virginia Tasting Cellar. There will be free burgers for the first 150 people.

To learn more, visit the Red, White and Green Front Facebook event page.

Twin Lakes Hot Dog Eating Contest

Twin Lakes State Park, ‘’The Spot’’ Concession Stand 788 Twin Lakes Road, Green Bay

Wednesday, July 4, 1-2 p.m.

Participants can try their hands at Twin Lake State Park’s inaugural hot dog eating contest. Challengers will try to eat as many hot dogs as possible within a 10-minute period for a small fee. Registration will start at noon at the park’s snack bar.

To learn more, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/twin-lakes#general_information or call (434) 392-3435.

Independence Day celebration

Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation, Red Hill

Wednesday, July 4, 3-9 p.m.

While a bit of a drive, the Independence Day celebration promises to bring the historic and exciting holiday to life. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m., but there will be plenty to do leading up to the event, including living history demonstrations, colonial games, live music and a reading of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty” Speech and the Declaration of Independence.

To learn more, visit www.redhill.org or call (434) 376-2044.

Old Timey Americana

Bear Creek Lake State Park, Acorn Loop Shelter, 22 Bear Creek Lake Road, Cumberland

Wednesday, July 4, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

For a more musically inclined change of pace, hear a Bear Creek Lake State Park ranger play songs and tunes from Virginia’s past performed on banjo, guitar and fiddle during this free event.

To learn more, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/bear-creek-lake#general_information or call (804) 492-4410.

Fourth of July Celebration

Meherrin Volunteer Fire & Rescue station, 102 Moores Ordinary Road, Meherrin

Saturday, July 7, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The annual family-friendly celebration will begin with stew at 11 a.m. Vendors, a boot drive and live music will begin at 4 p.m. with Step Back Band providing the entertainment. The fireworks show will begin 9:30 p.m.

To learn more, call Meherrin Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief Trey Pyle at (434) 547-7861 or visit www.mvfrco5.org.