<h3>Take a Long Independence Weekend</h3><p>Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County offer many&nbsp;<a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/directory/family-activities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(108, 152, 229);">family-friendly activities and attractions</a>&nbsp;including horse drawn carriage tours, vineyards and breweries, drive-in movie theater, animal parks, historic sites, to name only a few. Pair a visit to an attraction with one of the many&nbsp;<a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/events?start=06%2F28%2F20241&amp;end=07%2F08%2F2024&amp;c=&amp;q=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(108, 152, 229);">events</a>&nbsp;for an Independence Week full of fun and festivities!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">THURSDAY, JULY 4</strong></h3><p><a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/calendar/53324/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"><strong><u>Children’s Bike Parade</u></strong></a><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">: 10am</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The Fourth&nbsp;of July holiday kicks off with the Children’s Bike Parade down Lexington’s Main Street at 10am. This event, which attracts thousands of participants of all ages, and is hosted by Main Street Lexington, concludes with ice cream and hot dogs at the end of the parade route. </span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">&nbsp;</span><img class="q-image" src="https://api.brightrtravel.com/media/volatile/static-page-block-images/3994d649-01f0-4047-9328-aaaaad6a2040/thumbnail_3200x1600.jpeg" alt="block_ID_399" height="307.17375754957766" width="546"></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/calendar/55215/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"><strong><u>Independence Day Concert</u></strong></a><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">: 6:30pm</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Taking place in the neighboring city of Buena Vista, Glen Maury Park hosts Party Crashers Band at 6:30pm.</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">FRIDAY, JULY 5</strong></h3><p><a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/calendar/55576/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"><strong><u>A Bridge to Revolution—Celebrating 250 Years Since Thomas Jefferson’s Purchase of Natural Bridge</u></strong></a><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">: 11am</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">July 5, 2024, marks 250 years since Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Natural Bridge, setting the stage for the Bridge to be preserved in its natural state for all to experience. Join Park rangers, local officials, historians, and other guests as they share what this day meant for the Natural Bridge, for a young Thomas Jefferson just two years before the American Revolution, and what it means for its future.</span></p><p class="ql-indent-1"><u style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">11am</u><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">: Recognition Ceremony</span></p><p class="ql-indent-1"><u style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1pm, 2pm, 3pm</u><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">: Historian Talks</span></p><p class="ql-indent-1"><u style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">All Day</u><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">: Ranger Programs </span></p><p><br></p><p><img class="q-image" src="https://api.brightrtravel.com/media/volatile/static-page-block-images/12beeac5-66b2-4ae6-b8a4-c296ca68b236/thumbnail_3200x1600.jpeg" alt="block_ID_400" height="361.1035081252911" width="541"></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The </span><a href="https://beerwerkstrail.com/beerwerks-trail-zone-c-breweries/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"><strong>Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail</strong></a><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> (Zone C), which encompasses Devils Backbone Outpost Taproom &amp; Kitchen, Great Valley Farm Brewery &amp; Winery, Rockbridge Vineyard &amp; Brewery, and Heliotrope Brewery, offers a number of nationally recognized and award-winning breweries/wineries throughout Rockbridge County.&nbsp;While Devils Backbone and Heliotrope Brewery offer an in-town experience, Great Valley Farm Brewery &amp; Winery and Rockbridge Vineyard &amp; Brewery offer a more pastoral setting with outdoor seating, perfect for a sunny summer day. </span></p><p><br></p><p><img class="q-image" src="https://api.brightrtravel.com/media/volatile/static-page-block-images/da7b1773-25d6-477b-8fee-11f3bf0f4272/thumbnail_3200x1600.jpeg" alt="block_ID_401" height="257.0288185402199" width="544"></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">It's </span><a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/calendar/54211/2024/07/05" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"><strong>First Friday</strong></a><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> in Lexington which means our galleries are open later to welcome new exhibits. Enjoy a night on the town at one of our excellent restaurants, or make your own candle at POUR, a brand-new experience in Lexington. Their First Friday POUR event welcomes walk-ins to create their own candle 5:30-7:30pm.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Friday nights are for double features at </span><a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/articles/hulls-drive-in-theatre" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"><strong>Hull's Drive-In</strong></a><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">, one of the few authentic movie drive-ins left in the country. Secure your spot with an online ticket purchase. Gates open at 6:30pm and the first movie begins at 9pm. If you miss the Friday night movies, pick up a Saturday or Sunday spot!</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><img class="q-image" src="https://api.brightrtravel.com/media/volatile/static-page-block-images/803d860a-0f92-45fa-957c-9080f04e3ffe/thumbnail_3200x1600.jpeg" alt="block_ID_402" height="365.3333612060547" width="548"></p><h3><br></h3><h3><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">SATURDAY, JULY 6 - SUNDAY, JULY 7</strong></h3><p><a href="https://www.balloonsoverrockbridge.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"><strong><u>Balloons Over Rockbridge Hot Air Balloon Festival</u></strong></a><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">: 2pm-9:30pm</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The view from a hot air balloon is incredible, and we're pretty fond of watching them gently float across our hills and mountains, too! Catch a piloted flight or tethered ride from Oak Hill across from the Virginia Horse Center both days. Enjoy live music by four bands, food and beverage vendors (including local wine and beer), games, crafters, and the Ed McDaniel Memorial Balloon Glow Sunday night.</span></p><p><br></p><p><img class="q-image" src="https://api.brightrtravel.com/media/volatile/static-page-block-images/c157f88c-6e8b-4900-b30d-3902177aa9eb/thumbnail_3200x1600.jpeg" alt="block_ID_404" height="417.1721416300842" width="547"></p><h3><br></h3><h3><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">SUNDAY, JULY 7</strong></h3><p><a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/calendar/55683/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Independence Weekend </u>Fireworks</strong></a><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">: 9:30pm</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Taking place in the neighboring city of Buena Vista, Glen Maury Park hosts fireworks 9:30pm.</span></p><p><br></p><h3>Looking for more things to do?</h3><p>Check out “<a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/articles/3-days-30-attractions-30-miles" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">3 Days, 30 Attractions, 30 Miles</a>”&nbsp;</p>