26/06/2024
Share this post broadly over the next three weeks, because people will ask. Clarke County, Virginia’s annual fireworks display is always on July 3, always at the Clarke County Fair fairgrounds, and always begins after dark (about 9:20 p.m.). Fireworks start after a concert of patriotic music by the Clarke County Community Band, and after the fireworks crew receives a phone call from a Bank of Clarke representative telling the crew to start the show.
The entire evening of entertainment is FREE for the community thanks to the Bank of Clarke.
NOTE: Fireworks are canceled only if there is heavy rain and/or thunder and lightening.
Why are Clarke’s fireworks on July 3? The Bank of Clarke has been the sole sponsor of the Independence Day fireworks display since 1985, and in 2019 moved the event to July 3 because:
• fireworks companies must use licensed pyro-technicians and each year fewer people take the required training, limiting how many shows a company can produce, and
• fireworks companies schedule their biggest money-making shows on July 4 (fees are based on the size of shells used; shells range from 3- to 12-inches), and
• because Clarke’s fairgrounds is adjacent to a heavily traveled highway, fireworks are restricted to smaller 3- to 5-inch shells for safety, and
• contracts must be signed months in advance, so
• the Bank of Clarke wants to guarantee a FREE fireworks display for the community on July 3 rather than risk not having any show on July 4.
Need more Independence Day fireworks and entertainment?
• Town of Middletown VA hosts a daylong Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 4, that includes a parade at 5 p.m.; live music by Robbie Limon, Rock Bottom Band, and The Reflex; and fireworks after dark.
• Frederick County Parks and Recreation hosts live music by The Souled Out Band and fireworks after dark on July 4 at Sherando Park (255 Lakeview Circle, Stephens City).
• Town of Leesburg, Virginia hosts a parade at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4; gates open at 6 p.m. for music and festival food followed by fireworks after dark at Ida Lee Park (60 Ida Lee Drive NW).