Small Town Fourth of July Celebrations

Williamsburg, Va.

The celebration: An epic Independence Day destination, Colonial Williamsburg was where such founding fathers as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and George Mason established and instituted the principles and policies that led to the founding of the nation. On July 4, festivities begin in early morning and don’t cease until the pop of the last fireworks that evening. Have breakfast with Thomas and Martha Jefferson at Shields Tavern before walking to the Capitol for his reading of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout the day are special patriotic programs in the village’s interpretive venues, a militia muster, Colonial games at the market house, firing of muskets and cannons, a salute to the 13 original colonies and music by Williamsburg’s own Fife and Drums. In nearby Yorktown, the new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (200 Water St., historyisfun.org/yorktown-victory-center/liberty-celebration) salutes the 241st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with military exercises, lectures, and an exhibit featuring a rare July 1776 broadside document with the signatures of the founding fathers. Watch the fireworks from the water, aboard the tall ship Alliance (sailyorktown.com). Stay at the Williamsburg Lodge (310 England St., colonialwilliamsburg.com/stay/williamsburg-lodge), which also hosts a special Independence Day family bash including dinner, kids’ games and VIP seating for the fireworks (tickets required).

Getting there: Williamsburg is 198-miles from Baltimore, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive.

More info: colonialwilliamsburg.com/plan/calendar/july-4

Bristol, R.I.

The celebration: Inaugurated in 1785 by veterans of the Revolutionary War, few cities can be called more patriotic than Bristol — even the center line of its parade route has been permanently painted red, white and blue. Bristol claims to be home to the oldest continuous July 4 celebration in the country; it began in 1785 with patriotic exercises to honor the day. Today’s festivities begin on June 14 with a Flag Day Ceremony and are followed by nightly events (June 20 through July 3) including an interfaith service celebrating religious freedom, a costume ball and concerts. The Independence Day festivities begin July 3 with a two-day carnival with rides, a Drum and Bugle Corps competition, concert performances by The Falcoa Brothers and Songs In The Attic, and ends in fireworks. July 4 kicks off with a speaker on American freedom — this year Lt. Col. Andrew Drake, U.S. Marine Corps advisor to the Secretary of Defense — leading into Bristol’s famous parade with floats, marching bands and military, civic and firemen’s processions. The Point Pleasant Inn (333 Poppasquash Road, pointpleasantinn.com) is a Narragansett Bay-facing resort offering swimming, gourmet breakfasts and bicycles.

Getting there: Bristol is 385-mile drive from Baltimore, about a six-and-a-half hour drive. Or fly Southwest Airlines from BWI nonstop into Providence (starting at $84) and drive 17 miles to Bristol.

More info: fourthofjulybristolri.com

Rock Hall, Md.

The celebration: Settled in 1706, Rock Hall has seen America through many significant battles for freedom. It even engineered its own tea party rebellion and hosted many founding fathers in their travels between Philadelphia and Annapolis. So it’s only fitting that this picturesque Chesapeake Bay-fronting town celebrates five star-spangled days June-30-July 4) of American Independence. Festivities leading up to the Fourth include a beautiful baby contest, an evening street dance party, a beach party, an antique car show, and the Waterman’s Day festival on July 2, commemorating the town’s longstanding community who make their living fishing local waters with fun contests for most patriotic work boat, anchor tossing and high-speed docking. Rock Hall shoots off its fireworks on July 3. The Fourth begins with a morning parade of floats and bands, followed by opening ceremonies, a country music concert and family-friendly competitions: turtle races, a horseshoe tournament, sack races, a bubble-blowing contest and a talent show. The Inn at Huntingfield Creek (4928 Eastern Neck Road, huntingfield.com), offers chic country cottages with whirlpool tubs and full kitchens.

Getting there: Rock Hall is 89 miles, about an hour-and-a-half drive, from Baltimore. Boaters can easily motor or sail there from Baltimore’s waterways.

More info: kentcounty.com/events/annual/28-fourth-of-july

Eastport, Maine

The celebration: Situated on an island in Canada’s New Brunswick Harbor, Easport, Maine, claims the largest July 4 celebration in the state. There are four days of nonstop activities spanning Canada Day (July 1) through The Fourth of July. There’s great fanfare on July 1 as the U.S.S. Lassen DG-82 and its crew sail in for the festivities. Other favorite events include the extreme trampoline show and Great Rubber Ducky Race. There’s also a crafts fair, watersports, dances, funny food contests, a parade and fireworks. The circa-1846 Milliken House (29 Washington St., eastport-inn.com), offering gourmet breakfast and antique-filled guest rooms, is within walking distance of everyplace you’ll want to go.

Getting there: Eastport, Maine, is 747 miles from Baltimore, about a 12-hour drive.

More info: eastport4th.com

Forest, Va.

The celebration: How many can boast celebrating our country’s independence at the home of the man who wrote the book (OK, the Declaration) on it? The Independence Day celebration at Poplar Forest, Jefferson’s plantation, features Colonial-era entertainment, demonstrations by period artisans and craftsmen, colonist militia recruiting, children's activities and, of course, a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Most folks stay nearby in Lynchburg, where the lodging options are plentiful. The hayloft suite at the 19th-century Carriage House Inn B&B (404 Cabell St., thecarriagehouseinnbandb.com) accommodates families and includes gourmet breakfast and afternoon refreshments.

Getting there: Forest, Va., is 227 miles from Baltimore, nearly a four-hour drive.

More info: poplarforest.org/event/independence-day-celebration-2017

Washington Crossing, Pa.

The celebration: Where better to commemorate American independence than at the place where George Washington crossed the Delaware River and launched his game-changing attack on the British? Independence Day at Washington Crossing Historical Park begins with the revered Revolutionary Run (revrunpa.com), and at 10 a.m. the historic village opens to the public. Begin with the 13-minute film depicting the story of Washington’s victorious voyage, then wander around the replicated encampment where historians demonstrate colonial crafts and kids can get recruited into the army and receive wages (shillings), a model musket and sample military foodstuff from the Revolutionary War. Catch a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of McConkey’s Inn — the town’s only surviving structure from Revolutionary times — and then step inside to learn about 18th-century tavern life. There are also military drills, artillery demonstrations and photo ops with Generals George Washington, Henry Knox and John Glover. Afterwards, retreat to the Wedgewood Inn, (111 W. Bridge St., wedgwoodinn.com), a family-friendly historic bed and breakfast in nearby New Hope; ask the innkeepers for a tour of its Revolutionary War-era secret tunnel and staircase.

Getting there: Washington Crossing, Pa. is 135 miles from Baltimore, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive.

More info: washingtoncrossingpark.org/events

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The celebration: It’s easy to see why Saratoga Springs’ All-American Celebration (July 3-4) is always included in lists of the U.S.’s top July 4 fetes. Beyond its fabulous parade (which includes patriotic pooches) and fireworks fanfare, events include live reenactments like a fireside chat with General Burgoyne about the Battle of Saratoga, which claims to be the turning point of the American Revolution; a reading of the Declaration by a costumed town crier followed by 13 celebratory toasts; a citizenship ceremony; historic city tours; patriotic music; booming cannons; a car show and kids activities featuring crafts, historic games and stories read by Benjamin Franklin. Stay at the elegant Gideon Putnam (24 Gideon Putnam Road, gideonputnam.com) family resort, offering golf, tennis and access to the town’s healing springs.

Getting there: Saratoga Springs is 562 miles from Baltimore, nearly a six-hour drive. Or fly nonstop, in about an hour and 15 minutes, via Southwest, United and American airlines to Albany (from $167), just 40 miles from Saratoga Springs.

More info: saratogajuly4th.com

Southport, N.C.

The celebration: Given Southport’s unique geography (one of the first coastal towns just inside the mouth of the Cape Fear River), it has ties to many important events that shaped American history. Commissioned in 1792, Southport first celebrated our nation's independence in 1795 as the Festival of Free Men and continued the festivities for two centuries. In 1992, the festival became the official North Carolina Fourth of July celebration. Today, as many as 50,000 people attend its three days of jollity, including naturalization and Veteran’s Recognition ceremonies, flag raisings, sailboat regatta, concerts, festivals and nostalgic contests including sack races, watermelon eating and sandcastle building. The July 4 vibe here so depicts the vintage celebrations of small-town America, producers of the 2013 film “Safe Haven” were inspired to recreate its parade for a scene in the movie. Set along Southport’s waterfront, the historic Lois Janes bed and breakfast (106 W. Bay St., loisjanes.com) offers antique-filled rooms, gourmet breakfast, evening wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Getting there: Southport is 440 miles from Baltimore, about a seven-hour drive.

More info: nc4thofjuly.com

Easton, Pa.
The celebration: Since Easton was one of the first three sites to host readings of the Declaration of Independence (at noon on July 8, 1776), the town celebrates independence on its Heritage Day, a few days after July 4 (this year on Sunday, July 9). The event commemorates the city’s vast participation in the fight for American independence as one of the war’s strategic military and economic bases. Events include a reenactment of the original reading, strolling costumed interpreters from the Revolutionary War through the Korean War, artisans demonstrating traditional crafts, a music festival on four stages and a grand fireworks display illuminating the Forks of Delaware, Native Americans’ original name for Easton. The Select Registry-member Lafayette Inn (525 W. Monroe St., lafayetteinn.com) provides its guests homemade breakfast and custom-designed rooms that can accommodate couples, families and pets.

Getting there: Easton is 157 miles from Baltimore, about a three-hour drive.

More info: heritageday.org

Sturbridge, Mass.
The celebration: The living-history museum Old Sturbridge Village portrays life in the 1830s and celebrates July 4 with authentic period activities and entertainment. Visitors can participate in the citizens’ parade, a militia march, a game of 19th-century “base ball” and tri-cornered hat making. In the morning is a naturalization ceremony where scores of candidates pledge their Oath of Allegiance to the United States for the first time, while Old Sturbridge Village Singers perform patriotic songs. Throughout the day is the ceremonial firing of “heavy three-pounders” and fife and drum music. The Reeder Family Lodges (369 Main St., osv.org/inn), located adjacent to the museum, offers family packages that include two-day admission, as well as continental breakfast and 19th-century game baskets for kids.

Getting there: Old Sturbridge Village is 348 miles from Baltimore, a six-and-a-half hour drive. Or fly Southwest nonstop from BWI to Bradley International Airport (from $120).

More info: osv.org/event/independence-day-celebration