Crozet’s Fourth-of-July celebration gets county OK to move to King Family Vineyards

The Planning Commission voted March 11 to recommend approval of a special‑use permit request to host the Crozet Independence Day celebration at King Family Vineyards, a move the applicant and organizers said was needed after the traditional Crozet Park location could no longer safely host fireworks.

Rebecca Ragsdale, county planning staff, told commissioners the Crozet event is a one‑day community celebration that includes music, food and a fireworks display and that King Family Vineyards has hosted larger nonprofit events and polo activities in the past. The property is under a conservation easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Staff recommended approval with conditions to manage traffic, emergency access and public‑safety requirements; the conditions include an annual zoning clearance review and a requirement that a final public-safety plan be approved before each year’s event.

James King, a King Family Vineyards owner, said his family offered the site to ensure Crozet could continue the community tradition. "We’re looking to help out the community and try to host this event one time a year," King told the commission, adding that the vineyard staff and organizers had worked with emergency responders on a preliminary plan.

Ragsdale said the fire marshal must inspect and permit fireworks under the state fire code; the fire marshal will also determine whether launch or delay is required because of weather or fire‑danger conditions. Staff recommended the event end at 10:30 p.m. and that the permit include a narrow weather window to allow for a rain‑date near July 4. The county also required a staff review of the event plan each year before the event occurs.

Organizers emphasized volunteer support and the expense of staging the single‑day celebration. Mike Marshall of the Crozet Board of Trade said the event is volunteer led and costs roughly $50,000 to stage in a typical year; the Board of Trade runs fundraising and logistics for the celebration and does not charge an entrance fee.

Commissioners asked about traffic plans and shuttle options. Ragsdale and the event team said the site has a preliminary traffic management plan coordinated with VDOT, local police and volunteer fire and rescue groups; the applicant said they had pursued a trolley shuttle but the operator backed out last year. The county’s recommended conditions require final coordination with VDOT and public‑safety agencies before each event.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation to the Board of Supervisors was unanimous. The commission’s recommendation included the staff conditions covering the event date window, a 10:30 p.m. curfew for event activities, review and approval of a final public-safety plan each year, and coordination with the fire marshal for fireworks permitting.

The Board of Supervisors must still review and decide whether to grant the special‑use permit; staff said the permit’s annual review and coordination with public‑safety agencies are designed to reduce the risk of traffic and safety impacts for the one‑day event.