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Business & Tech

Ways to Celebrate Our Independence

From a hot dog-eating contest with a $250 prize to a red, white and blue hay ride—there is no reason to be bored this Fourth of July.

The Fourth of July is less than a week away and area families are looking for fun and inexpensive activities for everyone to enjoy. Fairfax and Prince William Counties have a number of events for families, so there's no need to go far.

Signal Hill Park at 9300 Signal View Dr. in Manassas Park will host a fireworks display this year. Parking is just $5. Games, rides, music, food and fireworks will be available from 5-9 p.m. on July 4.  

The Manassas Museum at 9101 Prince William St. in Manassas will host a Fourth of July beach party with live music, games, prizes, rides, carnival food, face painting and even a red, white and blue hay ride from 4-10 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for the fireworks starting at 9:15 p.m. Parking will be available at Baldwin Elementary and Metz Middle School. 

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The City of Fairfax will have a parade and fireworks show on July 3 starting at 10 a.m.  in Old Town Fairfax. Firefighters and marching bands will be out in the parade rain or shine! From 7 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. live music and shows will be going on at Fairfax High School. 

Head over to Lorton with lawn chairs and blankets for a Patriotic Picnic on July 3 from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.  There will be artist demonstrations, evening concerts and an arts and crafts area for the kids. Pack a picnic or buy lunch on site. Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Rd. Lorton, VA. 

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Lake Fairfax , located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr. in Reston, has a family splash park that will be open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on July 4.

Water Mine Park has flumes, sprays, showers, floatables and play areas all circled by a long lazy river. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. with a rain date of July 5. Lake Fairfax Park is free, however regular ticket prices apply for the Water Mine Family Swimming Hole.

The town of Herndon will host an Independence Day Celebration at Herndon Community Center  located at 814 Ferndale Ave. in Herndon from 6:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on July 4. Take part in a family fun-filled evening of arts and crafts, games, live music, clowns, food and jugglers. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. 

At Water’s Edge in Occoquan located at 13188 Marina Way,  party the day away with live music, a pig roast, a crab feast and a hot dog-eating contest with a grand prize of $250.  

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