4-H Center Gears Up for Independence Day Fireworks

In this Town Talk, two special guests from the Northern Virginia 4-H Center, Kathy Traux, and Katie Tennant, joined us. Katie became the director in June 2022 and is excited to share details about the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

This year’s fireworks are scheduled for Friday, July 5, 2024. The event, held at the 4-H Center, promises an evening filled with fun and festivities. “We always do the fireworks on a Friday because our summer camp kids leave on Thursday,” Katie explained. Parking begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a performance from the American Legion Community Band at 7:30 p.m., and the fireworks display at dusk, around 9:15 p.m.

Katie mentioned some changes this year, including paid parking to help offset rising costs. Close to the action, the upper level offers VIP parking for $10 per car. The lower level, near the stables and recreation fields, costs $5, and free shuttle services are available to transport guests to the event area until 8:50 p.m.

Attendees can expect food trucks, vendors, exciting raffles featuring local business gift cards, and two family weekend passes for Appaloosa.

Hosting this event is part of the 4-H Center’s broader mission. “Since my time here, the 4-H Center has lost money yearly on this event due to expenses and inflation,” Katie said. They aim to break even with increased sponsorships and parking fees this year. “We’re a nonprofit, and it’s not good business to lose money,” she added.

Beyond the fireworks, the 4-H Center focuses on youth education and community service. It serves 19 counties and offers a range of camps and educational programs. These include eight weeks of 4-H-specific residential camps, specialty camps, and partnerships with local schools for summer programs.

The 4-H Center is more than just a campsite. It offers facilities for field trips, environmental education, team-building activities, and conferences. The full conference center includes an auditorium, meeting spaces with Zoom capabilities, fiber internet, lodging, and dining services.

Katie highlighted ongoing improvements, such as work on the amphitheater, which will be renamed the Bernice Pearson Performing Arts Complex. “By next summer, we hope to have a new look down at the amphitheater,” she said.

Despite its many offerings, some community members are unaware of all the 4-H Center has to offer. “We have tons of good organizations that use our space, but we’re not fully booked,” Kathy noted. Upcoming projects include a new patio and pickleball courts, available for community use by the fall.

To recap, the fireworks are on July 5th, with parking starting at 5:30 p.m., the American Legion Band performing at 7:30 p.m., and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash for parking ($5 or $10) and to enjoy the various food trucks and vendors.

Kathy and Katie thank the community and sponsors for their support. “We have some wonderful sponsors this year, like E.E. Reid Construction Company, Ellen Aders State Farm, and Warren Lee Construction, to name a few,” Katie said.

Mark your calendars for this exciting event. Come support the 4-H Center and enjoy a fantastic night of fireworks and festivities.

Town Talk is a series on the Royal Examiner where we will introduce you to local entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profit leaders, and political figures who influence Warren County. Topics will be varied but hopefully interesting. Let us know if you have an idea topic or want to hear from someone in our community. Send your request to news@RoyalExaminer.com

American Legion Community Band to Host Annual Independence Day Concert