Want to know where to see the fireworks this year?
Brown's Island!
For the first time, RVA Fireworks on the James is bringing a huge fireworks display to the James River on July 3.
Here's the skinny:
-Brown's Island opens at 6 p.m. for a family friendly festival. You can bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic dinners, but no alcohol will be allowed. Vendors will also be available, selling hot dogs, hamburgers and other festival fare.
-Entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m. featuring performances by SPARC, the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra and Richmond Ballet's "Minds in Motion."
-Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. And expect a big display -- comparable to the fireworks you'll see on Washington D.C.'s Mall. Fireworks are being provided by Grucci, one of the biggest names in fireworks and will last about 30 minutes. And it's all free!
The fireworks are being set off on Belle Isle and the Lee Bridge -- with good viewing spots throughout the city. Brown's Island will be a great spot to watch the display, but we also recommend Libbie Hill, the hill from Ethyl Corporation, downtown roofs and basically any place where you can get a good view of the river near Belle Isle.
RVA Fireworks on the James is made possible by generous funding from Dominion and MeadWestvaco, with the city of Richmond and Venture Richmond producing the event.
"We've always had fireworks at Dogwood Dell and the Diamond, but never fireworks that feature the skyline and the river as a backdrop [for Independence Day]," Ryan Frazier, a spokesman for Dominion says. "That's how this came about. We wanted to bring people downtown and to show off the riverfront."
RVA Fireworks on the James is being held Sunday, July 3, a day in advance of Independence Day, so that it won't interfere with the fireworks at Dogwood Dell on July 4.
And if you find yourself parked by the side of the road, watching the fireworks, you can tune in to WRIR 97.3 FM which will be simulcasting the sounds from Brown's Island.
Street closures:
Starting at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 3 the following street closures are in effect:
Belle Isle
Tredegar Street
The Lee Bridge
Riverside Drive at 20th Street
2nd St at Spring Street
Oregon Hill Parkway
Entrance ramp from 2nd Street to the Lee Bridge
Belvidere St Southbound closed prior to Byrd Street
Cowardin Avenue Northbound closed prior to Semmes Avenue
Drivers are advised to take alternate routes across the river using the Manchester, Mayo, and Boulevard (Nickel) bridges.
Belle Isle and parking area will re-open Monday, July 4, at the normal opening time. The Lee Bridge will re-open Sunday, July 3, at 11 p.m.
For more information on RVA Fireworks on the James, check out their website.
For more places to watch fireworks around town, check out our Richmond Fireworks and Parade Guide.
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