By Julie Reardon

There’s nothing quite like the July 4^th fireworks on the Mall in Washington D.C., but braving the crowds once every few years (or every few decades) is plenty for some, especially those who might wish for smaller crowds and a more small-town atmosphere. And, if the weather is predicted to be beastly hot and humid, being in the country is a better option. But you don’t have to go far; it’s typically a few degrees cooler west of the city in the Blue Ridge and most of these activities are within an hour’s drive of the Beltway. You can enjoy an event as simple as some fireworks at dusk, or a full day celebration with parades, picnics, and more. As the actual July 4^th date is on a Friday this year, you could even turn your adventure into a long weekend.

Outside of Washington DC, the fireworks at Great Meadow in The Plains, 45 minutes southwest in Virginia’s Blue Ridge foothills, is probably the biggest display in the area, and the festivities include a full evening of family fun. This year is the event venues, Great Meadow, 40^th anniversary, so an extra special show of pyrotechnics is planned, billed as the Big Boom. Gates open at 5 p.m., afternoon activities include family games—corn hole toss, sack races, face painting, tug-of war, a petting zoo, and an air show by the Flying Circus at 6:30 pm. You can bring a picnic or visit the food truck section or vendor row for a meal or snacks and additional games and entertainment. The extraordinary fireworks display gets underway at dusk; please note there will be no admission after 8:30 pm, all entrances will be exit only at that time. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs (no umbrellas or tents, unless in reserved tailgate spaces.) General admission tickets events are $60 per car (up to five passengers). Special tailgate packages, VIP passes and bus passes are also available. Go to www.gmjuly4th.com for information on tailgate packages and to purchase tickets in advance. Event is rain or shine, no refunds. Please leave pets at home. As an aside, Great Meadow, a beautiful 374-acre park, is also known as the home of the Virginia Gold Cup races and the summer twilight polo and jumper series.

On the actual July 4^th date several towns in the Blue Ridge have Independence Day parades and fireworks at dusk, including Leesburg. After its daytime parade in town, the night sky will light up in red white and blue at Ida Lee Park including live music. Gates open at 6 pm allowing time to lay out a blanket on the expansive lawn and enjoy the music, a picnic, hot dogs, burgers, funnel cake and ice cream before the fireworks show at 9:30. Choreographed to patriotic music, this display is one of the larger and most spectacular in the region.

Twilight polo at the aforementioned Great Meadow, continues Saturday evenings in July at the Greenhill Arena with themed evenings held each week. Bring your family, friends and coworkers for an evening of fun and excitement in a wonderful outdoor setting on Saturday nights through July. Stunning sunsets, three polo matches, picnicking, wine, food trucks, giant tug o’war games for the kids at halftime, then dance the night away! One ticket admits an entire car load of family and friends.

Admission tickets are available online for $25 per vehicle (5 people), or you can pay $30 cash per vehicle at the gate. Visit their Twilight Polo Facebook page or check out the website at www.twilightpolo.com for a schedule.

Limited VIP tailgate and box seat options available, providing and your party a private space to enjoy the night. Perfect for groups, bridal parties, birthdays, corporate entertaining and more! Call or email us for VIP information and reservations: 540-253-9845 or manager@twilightpolo.com

Nothing says summer better than apple pie and we have several suggestions for places to procure them. July kicks off county fair season in Virginia, and there’s no place like the bake sales at county fairs to sample some of this perennial favorite.

Fauquier County Fair finally returns after a several year pandemic and scheduling hiatus; it will be held this year July 12-15 at the fairgrounds just outside Warrenton. And there are a number of farmers markets in the area with usually plentiful pie offerings. A personal favorite of mine are the apple pies and, in fact, anything apple from the bakery at the Apple House in Linden. Their apple fritters are melt in your mouth good, especially hot off the griddle. www.TheAppleHouse.net The Apple House is a restaurant located in Linden, a small village on the border of Fauquier and Warren counties off Exit 13 on I-66.