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Richmond City schedules July 4 celebration at Lake Reba Park; fireworks set for 10 p.m.
Summary
Richmond City will hold its annual Fourth of July celebration Friday at Lake Reba Park, with festivities starting at 5 p.m., food and alcohol vendors on the soccer fields, and a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Police will manage traffic exits and on-site safety stations will be staffed.
Richmond City will hold its annual Fourth of July celebration Friday at Lake Reba Park, with festivities beginning at 5 p.m. and a fireworks show scheduled for 10 p.m., city officials said.
Kelly McBride, public information officer for Richmond City, and Erin Moore, director of parks and recreation for Richmond City, described event logistics and safety measures during a city update. McBride said, "Lots of places to park." Moore said, "So the July 4 is every year on the actual fourth. So this year, it is on a Friday. It will be held at Lake Reba Park, and all festivities will start at 5 p.m."
The city will concentrate food vendors and beer-and-wine service on the soccer fields, which Moore said are located just below where the fireworks will be launched. "The best location to view the fireworks is actually on the soccer field," Moore said. The playground parking lot will be closed to the public because vendor and community booths will be staged there; alternative parking areas include the grassy lot by the lake, the Paradise Cove parking lot, Gibson Bay Golf Course and Little League parking areas.
Public-safety and first-aid points will be staffed on site. Moore said there will be two police stations at the park: one by the basketball courts and another at the park entrance near the flagpole, where officers can assist with lost children, lost phones and first aid.
Organizers outlined rules for personal grills and fireworks. Moore said attendees may bring their own grills but must remove hot coals in a metal bucket and not dispose of hot coals in park trash cans. She also said personal fireworks and sparklers are prohibited in the park because they can injure bystanders.
The city's entertainment lineup includes Dee Boone Pittman from 5 to 6 p.m., Nick Caseta at 6:30 p.m., and TD Young performing blues starting at 8 p.m.; Moore said TD Young will also sing the national anthem at 10 p.m. After the fireworks, Adventure Falls will remain open until 11 p.m.; Moore said lights will be turned back on so attendees can use the miniature golf course while waiting to exit.
Traffic-management procedures will be in place immediately after the fireworks at 10 p.m. McBride said police will close the park entrances on the backside of Catapaloo Road and on Gibson Bay Drive to through traffic; officials will convert lanes to exit-only until the park is cleared. Moore described the exit routing used in past years: approaching the bypass, drivers in the right-hand lane will be directed toward Kohl's and drivers in the left-hand lane toward Kroger to expedite flow.
The city invited residents to attend and observe safety rules; McBride closed with a reminder that July 4 is also Richmond City's birthday.
