By Brooke Bates   bbates@dnronline.com

Fireworks finish the Valley Fourth celebration in downtown Harrisonburg in 2006. File photo

From small-town bike parades to elaborate firework displays, the Valley’s July 4 celebrations have something for everyone.

Friday festivities start in downtown Harrisonburg with the seventh annual Valley Fourth.

“There are very few Fourth of July events that are free that offer what we offer,” says Kris Ludwig, special events manager for Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, which is organizing the event. “There’s something for all ages and all types.”

History buffs can hear David Hatmaker, from the Harrisonburg Chapter of the Sons of The American Revolution, read the Declaration of Independence on the courthouse steps at noon. After that, local historian Dale McAllister will lead a guided walking tour.

Music fans can start rocking at 2 p.m. with an acoustic performance by Me & Martha on Court Square. Shen Fine will bring their Celtic and Appalachian sounds at 3 p.m.

Art lovers are lucky, Ludwig says, to have the Fourth fall on a First Fridays Art Walk. Downtown galleries, museums and business will host the walk during new hours, 1-4 p.m.

People can take a break from the heat in Court Square Theater, where improv comedy group Mental Flossing will perform half-hour shows at 2:15, 3 and 3:45 p.m.

There will be face painting, a dunking booth and storytelling for kids. The Harrisonburg Children’s Museum will have free admission from 3-7 p.m.
Street vendors will offer turkey legs, Pad Thai, pizza and everything in between from 4-9:30 p.m.

The parade, sponsored by Harrisonburg Auto Mall, will start at 5 p.m., traveling Main Street from the city Municipal Building to the Rockingham County Administrative office building.

Grand marshals Akeem Jordan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Mrs. Virginia Megan Mele will host a meet-and-greet outside Cally’s immediately after the parade.

A pie-eating contest will follow, plus concerts by Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels at 6:30 p.m. and Souled Out  Band at 8 p.m. Harrisonburg Electric Commission will sponsor fireworks at dark.

Summer Jam
Massanutten Resort will host its 10th annual Summer Jam on July 3 to benefit the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA. Gates open at 5 p.m.; Burning Bridges performs at 6 p.m. and Jimmy Buffet cover band The Landsharks at 8:30 p.m. There will be activities for kids, a beer garden for adults and food for everyone. The evening will end with fireworks. General admission is $20. Children younger than 12 are free.

Celebrate America Concert
The Shenandoah Valley Choral Society will join the Rockingham Community Concert Band on July 3 for the annual “Celebrate America” concert, this year at Harrisonburg High School. They will perform patriotic songs, including “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Armed Forces Salute,” as well as marches and Broadway medleys. Tickets for the 7:30 concert are $8.

New Market Lawn Party
New Market will host a yard sale from 7 a.m.-noon at the Community Park tennis courts to benefit the Community Center.

The Fire Cracker 5-miler race starts from the park at 8 a.m. Runners can register from 6:30-7:30 a.m. for $20.

Food will be available all day, starting with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m.
After the 4 p.m. parade along Congress Street, the lawn party continues with games for children and adults. The Rinard Family will play from 5-7 p.m. and Just for Fun from 7-9 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

Luray Family Funfest
The 23rd Annual DAR/CAR children’s parade will start from Inn Lawn Park in Luray at 10 a.m. on July 4.

The Luray Family Funfest starts at 3 p.m. on Main Street along the Hawksbill Greenway with crafts, food and music. Highground, The Furs, Quest for the Stars, Mokey, Bob Harrison and Luke Black will perform at the Ruffner Plaza from 3 p.m. until fireworks at 9 p.m.

Performing Arts of Luray will present The Party on the Plaza at the BB&T Center featuring Passage Creek and Dan Herney. The $3 show starts at 7 p.m.; bring a lawn chair.

Clover Hill Community Parade
What started 15 years ago with children decorating bikes in Sandra Rohrer’s front yard has evolved into the Clover Hill community parade.

“There’s no entry fee, no prizes. It’s just a community thing,” Rohrer says of the parade, which featured about 40 entries last year.

The parade, including everything from bicycles to go-karts to sports cars, will meet along Coopers Mountain Road at 1:30 p.m. on July 4 and proceed along Clover Hill Road to the fire department.

BryceFest
Bryce Resort’s ninth annual BryceFest begins at 10 a.m. on July 5. The resort, near Basye, will host children’s activities, food vendors, more than 75 artisans, an antique car show and airplane rides. Admission is free, but some activities may charge a fee.

Magician Wes Iseli, country artist Pam Uhl, Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels, the Robbie Limon Band and EZGO will perform. The night will end with fireworks.