TUESDAY, JULY 1

Fireworks at Busch Gardens -- Busch Gardens will host the fireworks extravaganza "Boom 'n July" beginning at 9:15 p.m. Tuesday through Friday this week. The main viewing areas are the villages of Oktoberfest and San Marco. Included with park admission. Details: (800) 343-7946 or www.buschgardens.com.

Racing to the Stars and Stripes -- Thursday and Friday. Horse racing at Colonial Downs starts at 5 p.m. followed by a patriotic concert at 8:45 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. General admission: $2; free for children 12 and younger. Located at I-64 Exit 214 in New Kent County. Details: (804) 966-7223 or www.colonialdowns.com.

Genworth Financial Celebrate Freedom -- Highlights include a concert by the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, children's activities and fireworks. The event starts at 6:30 p.m.; the concert will begin at 7:30. Fireworks are scheduled for 8:45. All at Genworth Financial headquarters, 6620 W. Broad St. Free. Details: (804) 281-6699.

Heritage Festival -- Festival activities include a 7:45 a.m. 5-mile run, 9 a.m. parade in Old Town Fredericksburg, river raft race, car show, children's activities, free trolleys to Revolutionary War festivities at George Washington's Ferry Farm in Stafford, live music and an evening fireworks show and POPS concert. Admission to Ferry Farm is $1 per person ages 3 and older. Details: (804) 224-7723 or (804) 450-5262.

Yorktown Victory Center -- The "Liberty Celebration" will be held 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Join in military drills and learn about the sacrifices of our nation's founders. Admission: $9.25 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Details: (888) 593-4682 or www.historyisfun.org.

Monticello Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony -- President Bush is the featured speaker at the event, which begins at 10 a.m. outside the home of Thomas Jefferson. Free admission, but admission is required for house tours. Details: (434) 984-9822 or www.monticello.org.

Colonial Williamsburg -- Fifes and Drums 50th anniversary celebration will begin with a 10 a.m. "Salute to the States" performance and cannon firing, followed by the reading of the Declaration of Independence at 12:30 p.m. A 7 p.m. picnic on the Governor's Palace lawn will include storytellers, games, music and more. Fireworks will follow at 9:15 p.m. Reservations must be made by July 2. Cost: $59 for adults, $25 for children ages 6-12. Details: (800) 447-8679.

Historic Smithfield Plantation -- An Independence Day celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring music, dancing, children's activities, re-enactments, house tours and more. Free admission; reduced rate for house tours. Historic Smithfield is located adjacent to Virginia Tech's campus off Duck Pond Drive. Details: (540) 231-3947 or www.smithfieldplantation.org.

Hanover Arts & Activities Center -- A nonmotorized parade starts at 11 a.m. followed by apple pie contest, music, crafts, games and horse-drawn carriage rides. Free. 500 S. Center St., Ashland. Details: (804) 798-2728.

Nelson County Fourth of July Parade -- The parade starts at 11 a.m. with a children's bike parade on Front Street. Children are invited to bring their decorated bikes, wagons, strollers and other non-motorized vehicles. Prizes will be given. The main parade immediately follows the children's parade. Details: (434) 263-6700 or http://nelsonparade.blogspot.com.

Richmond Scottish Rite Temple -- Richmond Area Freemasons will celebrate America's birthday beginning at 11 a.m. with the reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by plenty of hot dogs, baked beans, soft drinks and lemonade. Free. 4204 Hermitage Road. Details: C.E. Whitley at (804) 288-6133.

Caroline -- Port Royal will hold its Independence Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with historic re-enactments, surrey rides and children's games. Re-enactors dressed as Revolutionary militiamen will escort a copy of the Declaration of Independence from the river to St. Peter's Church, followed by a reading of the Declaration, singing of the national anthem, and a first-person impression of Dolly Roy, one of the first female tavern owners in the colonies. Free admission; picnic food is available for purchase.

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest -- Celebrate a patriotic Fourth of July with a musical performance by the Itinerant Band beginning at 1 p.m., followed by the reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:30. Also on the grounds will be "The Spirit of Thomas Jefferson," a reproduction of a Jefferson-era bateau. Free admission. Admission charge for house tours. Southwest of Lynchburg in Bedford County. Details: (434) 525-1806 or www.poplarforest.org.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden -- An All-American celebration will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring wagons and strollers to decorate for a parade from the visitor center to the children's garden, where there will be music and children's activities. Garden admission: $10 adults, $9 seniors, $6 children ages 3-12. 1800 Lakeside Ave. Details: (804) 262-9887 or www.lewisginter.org.

Meadow Farm/Crump Park -- An Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration will be held from 1-5 p.m. Activities include music, patriotic arts and crafts, contests, entertainment and more. Free. 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen. Details: (804) 501-5121.

Vista del Lago -- A benefit for Families of the Wounded Fund will be held from 1-5 p.m. Featuring a full orchestra, 100-voice choir, a military flyover, speakers, soloists, St. Andrew's Legion Pipes and Drums, food and more. Free admission. 1960 Old Tavern Road, Powhatan. Details: Clyde Childress at (804) 598-8661 or visit www.fotwf.org.

St. John's Church -- Re-enactment of the 1775 Second Virginia Convention, where Patrick Henry proclaimed "Give me liberty or give me death!" will be held at 2 p.m. Free; ticket distribution begins at 1 p.m., followed by a patriotic organ program at 1:30 p.m. 2401 E. Broad St. Details: (804) 649-0263.

Fort Lee -- "Fourth At the Fort" event will be held from 2-10 p.m. Featuring activities for kids, arts and crafts festival, patriotic concert by the Fort Lee Army Band and fireworks. Free. Williams Stadium on Lee Ave. Details: (804) 765-3076 or www.leemwr.com.

Cartersville Fourth of July Celebration -- The event will take place at 4 p.m. at Cartersville Ruritan Community Center, on state Route 45 a mile south of the Village of Cartersville. Featuring food, games and live music provided by Southern Ambition. Fireworks at dusk. No alcohol or pets allowed. Admission: $5 per carload, $3 per person. Details: (804) 375-3361.

Three Lakes Park (Shelter #2) -- Vegetarian Society of Richmond will host a potluck picnic at 4 p.m. Cost: $3 for nonmembers, free for members. 400 Sausiluta Drive. Reservations: (804) 344-4356 or e-mail lois@vegetarianrichmond.org.

Comcast's Fourth of July Celebration -- The Chesterfield County Fairgrounds event will include children's activities, entertainment and fireworks at dark. Gates open at 5 p.m. at the fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road. Free. Details: (804) 748-1132.

Dogwood Dell Fourth of July Celebration -- Fireworks follow free concerts featuring Back 'N Da Day, Lawrence Robinson and the Richmond Concert Band. Music starts at 5 p.m. in the Dell, Byrd Park. Details: (804) 646-3355.

Richmond Braves Fireworks Extravaganza -- Friday and Saturday. Fireworks begin after the 6 p.m. games against the Norfolk Tides at The Diamond, 3001 N. Boulevard. Details and game tickets: (804) 359-4444 or www.rbraves.com.

Henrico County Independence Day Celebration -- The event will include music by Ron Moody & the Centaurs, military tribute and fireworks, 6-10 p.m., Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave. Sponsored by the Tuckahoe Jaycees. Cost: $15 per carload. Details: (804) 777-7752.

Stars and Stripes Explosion -- The annual Hampton Roads celebration will include several concerts: Symphonicity and the Virginia Beach Chorale will perform beginning at 8 p.m. on the 20th Street stage. Revolution: The Beatles Tribute will play at 7 and 10 p.m. at the Beachstreet Starfish Pavilion at 17th Street. The English Channel will perform at 7 and 10 p.m. at the Beachstreet Seaside Palladium at 24th Street, and Satisfaction: A Rolling Stones Experience will perform at 8:30 and 10 p.m. at Neptune Park at 31st Street. Oceanfront fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Free. Details: (757) 491-7866 or www.BeachStreetUSA.com.

Colonial Heights Fireworks -- The 9:15 p.m. fireworks display will be held in the vicinity of Charles Dimmock Parkway. The best viewing sites will be at Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Target parking lots. Details: (804) 520-9390.

Wintergreen Resort: July Jubilee Weekend -- Friday through Sunday. Activities include live music, family movie under the stars, arts and crafts show, face painting, a sand castle competition, triathlon and more. See fireworks Friday starting at 9 p.m. For a complete schedule of events and activities, call (434) 325-8146 or visit www.wintergreenresort.com.

Spirit of America Festival -- Join the community of Phoebus in Hampton from noon to 5 p.m. to celebrate its first Spirit of America Festival. Activities will take place at the former site of Slaughter's Lumberyard at 50 N. Mallory St., and on the first two blocks of East Mellen Street. Featuring music, food, a car show and more. Details: Carla Mingee at (757) 570-4147 or www.spiritofamericafestival.net.

Buckingham's Historic Village at Lee Wayside -- Celebrate Declaration of Independence Day at Historic Buckingham Inc.'s "Historic Village at Lee Wayside" from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Everything, including children's games, gardening, tour guides, and campsites will be from 1776. The Historic Village at Lee Wayside is on U.S. 60 at state Route 690 adjacent to the Lee Wayside.