Fourth of July

Morning Poll: Taking Time Off for Independence Day?

By ARLnow.com

This year’s Independence Day holiday falls on a Wednesday, which for many creates a bit of confusion about whether to and/or how to take time off of work.

Do you take off Tuesday or Thursday, giving yourself something of a mid-week weekend? Do you take two days off either before or after the Fourth of July, thus giving yourself a very long weekend? Do you throw caution to the wind and just take the entire week off? Or do you not take any time off work at all, and leave the easy long weekend for next year, when the Fourth falls on a Thursday?

How many days this week — including the Fourth — will you be taking off of work?



Flickr pool photo by Mennyj

County Planning July 4 Celebration at Long Bridge Park

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County residents have a new place to watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July.

The county’s Department of Parks and Recreation announced today that it’s planning a day-long Independence Day celebration at the recently-opened Long Bridge Park near Crystal City.

“During the day the park will be programmed to do what it was created to do… hold fun sports events on the fields and creatively program the Esplanade with viewing, dining and shopping options,” parks department spokeswoman Susan Kalish said via email. “In the evening, there will be a more traditional old-time Fourth of July celebration with games for all ages, decorated bicycle parade, face painting, balloon art, and of course, amazing views of the Washington fireworks display.”

Arlington is currently seeking partnerships for the family-friendly event, including community groups and food and craft vendors.

Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA

Fourth of July Closures

By ARLnow.com

The long holiday weekend has begun, and that means many county services are stopped or altered.  Here’s a list of changes:

  • All courts are closed.
  • DMV locations are closed.
  • All libraries are closed.
  • Human services offices are closed.
  • Park grounds are open but all administrative offices are closed.
  • Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center is open from 6:00am-6:00pm.  All other centers are closed.
  • Trash and recycling pickup runs on regular service, but some special collections are altered.
  • Public swimming pools are on an altered schedule.

The police department has also provided a list of road closures for activities on July 4. In addition, police are reminding event attendees that:

  • Alcoholic beverages, grills and fireworks are prohibited on county and federal parkland during Independence Day activities.
  • Vendors will not be allowed in the area of the Iwo Jima Memorial.
  • Coolers and backpacks are subject to search.

Officials are encouraging people heading to the Air Force Memorial or the Iwo Jima memorial to watch the fireworks to take public transportation.

Flickr pool photo by Timkelley

Patriotic Performance Kicks Off Holiday Weekend

By ARLnow.com

The Symphony Orchestra of Arlington kicks off the holiday weekend with a patriotic performance.

The symphony, conducted by Jeff Dokken, will play at a free concert called “Honoring America” which will feature patriotic-themed classical music.  It will take place tonight at 7:30 in the theater at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road).

The Symphony Orchestra of Arlington is a professional caliber volunteer orchestra founded in January.  Its goal is to foster education, outreach and entertainment while providing high quality classical music to residents in and around Arlington.

The concert will also feature the Open5ths, a Washington, D.C. based men’s chorus.

Spotted: Fireworks Booth on the Pike

By ARLnow.com

You know the Fourth of July is almost here when fireworks sellers start popping up around the area.

A fireworks booth is now up and running at the corner of Columbia Pike and Glebe Road, offering all manner of sparklers and (legal) pyrotechnics.

The booth accepts cash, Visa and Mastercard.

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