Won Awards Participated in The Independence Day Celebration Committee (IDCC), a 501(c)3 organization, and the City of Fairfax welcome you to our 51st July 4th parade celebrating our Nation’s birth with the theme “Volunteers Light Up Fairfax”. Minutes from the Nation’s Capital, this independent city offers an attractive blend of commercial, office, retail, and residential properties combining the charm of a small town with the opportunities of a thriving urban area for the more than 20,000 that call the City of Fairfax home. The City of Fairfax was selected by Forbes Magazine in 2009 as #3 in the nation of the 25 top towns for living well – it is also a wonderful place to live and raise a family. A nationally recognized school system, a healthy residential real estate market and access to outstanding health care are among the advantages cited by residents. In 2011 the National Recreation and Parks and Association (NRPA) awarded the City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation Department a Gold Medal Award ‐ the most prestigious award in the field of parks and recreation ‐ only one of four agencies in Virginia to have won this award since its inception in 1965. Proud of our historic buildings including the site of the first Confederate fatality of the Civil War, we have the largest, most fascinating collection of Civil War graffiti in the nation along with the lore of spies and secrets. Whether it is shopping, dining, cultural arts, festivals, or events as well as the world‐famous GMU Patriots basketball team, you’ll find something exciting to do year round in our City’s friendly, safe environment. For up‐to‐date events in the City of Fairfax on this July 4th, text FFX4TH to 888‐777. In 2016 (and 2015) the Chocolate Lovers Festival was named 1st in Virginia Living’s Magazine Best Food Festivals in the Northern Region. Voted on by the readers, the Festival was voted 2nd Best Food Festival in 2012 ‐ 2014 ‐ every year Virginia Living has held the survey! Enjoy Rock the Block at Old Town Square, 3999 University Drive, from 6:30 – 9:30 pm on the fourth Friday through October. Music on the Plaza is held at 7:00 pm on Fridays (except the fourth Fridays) through September in Old Town Plaza, 3955 Chain Bridge Road. Enjoy Home Town Thursdays featuring local performers at 6:30 pm (except June 22) through September in Old Town Square. Summer Under the Stars concerts return to the Veteran’s Amphitheater next to City Hall at 8:00 pm on Thursdays in July – the Children’s Concert will be held at 7:30 pm on July 13. Congratulations to our 2017 Logo Winner ‐‐ Ramona Weaver. Receiving a degree in art from Auburn University, Ramona later did additional art study at Georgia State University and Peralta College in San Francisco. Retired from a career in graphic design, she received awards for design excellence from the Art Directors’ Clubs of New York, Atlanta, Savannah, and from the American Institute of Graphic Arts as well as Art Direction magazine. Locally, Ramona has shown her artwork at the Sherwood Center, Herndon Art Space, Blenheim Civil War Interpretive Center, the Fairfax Railroad Museum, and the Fairfax Art League Galleries as well as at the Artists in Middleburg gallery. Ms. Weaver, according to the old Virginia Creed, “has an introduction to any state in the union ... by virtue of ... having married a Virginian,” and she absolutely loves Fairfax and all its fascinating history. For 50 years, Warren Carmichael has stood on the reviewing stand and announced this parade; in 2006 he was the parade’s grand marshal. Retiring in 2002 after 23 years as director of the Public Information Won Awards Participated in Office of the Fairfax County Police Department, we give a special thanks to Warren for his many years of public service. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS …. ELITE SPONSORS – Fair City Mall GOLD SPONSORS – 97.1 WASH‐FM BRONZE SPONSORS – The IDI Group Companies; Sandy Spring Bank FRIEND SPONSORS – Chancery Park HOA; Fairfax American Legion Post 177; VFW Post 8469; ZETA Associates, Inc. SUPPORTER SPONSORS ‐ Coyote Grille & Cantina; Greenspun Shapiro PC; Kiwanis Club of Fairfax; Nu Look Home Design, Inc.; Olde Fairfax Mews Community; Pope’s Auto Body & Paint; Walt & Charlie Potock; Providence Square Condominiums; Ellie Schmidt DONOR SPONSORS ‐ ADTEK Engineers, Inc.; Jane Albro; Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Beck; B.J. Opfer’s Wildlife Art & Pet Portraits; Delegate David Bulova; Sandra M. Chase, MD, PC; Civitan Club of Fairfax; Tom & Leda Davis; FJ Hooks Plumbing, Inc.; Fran’s Cake and Candy; Fritz & Company, P.C.; Hard Times Café; COL (Ret) & Mrs. Donald H. Mensch; Mosby Woods Community Association; Beverly Myers; NOVA Korean SDA Church; Northern Virginia Mustang Club; Old Lee Hills Civic Association; Paisano’s Pizza; Gary and Mary Jo Rasmussen; Rita’s Italian Ice of Fairfax; Hossein & Fatemeh Talebi; Trader Joe’s; Woman’s Club of Fairfax OTHER SPONSORS – Joy Unlimited; Kenneth Pettit COMMEMORATIVE JULY 4TH T‐SHIRTS OFFERED IN RED, IN WHITE, AND IN BLUE (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST) WILL BE SOLD ON THE LAWN OF CITY HALL (BETWEEN THE REVIEWING STAND AND ARMSTRONG STREET) AND ON THE STEPS OF OLD TOWN HALL FROM 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE IDCC. COST ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ $5/ADULT AND $3/YOUTH OTHER EVENTS TODAY INCLUDE ……… FAIRFAX MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTER OPEN HOUSE (10209 Main Street) 9:00 am – 4:00 pm RATCLIFFE – ALLISON HOUSE TOURS (10386 Main Street) 11:30 am – 1:00 pm LIVABLE FAIRFAX SCAVENGER HUNT (Downtown Fairfax) 11:30 am – 1:30 pm SUPERHERO FEST – (4020 University Drive – Suntrust Bank Parking Lot) 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm HAVE YOUR PICTURE TAKEN WITH AND MEET BAT GIRL, BATMAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, FLASH, GREEN LANTERN, IRONMAN, ROBIN, SPIDERMAN, SUPER GIRL, SUPERMAN, AND WONDER WOMAN OLD FASHIONED FIREMAN’S DAY (Fire Station #3 ‐ 4081 University Drive) – 12:30 pm FIREFIGHTER COMPETITION WITH FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND GAMES EVENING SHOW & FIREWORKS@ FAIRFAX HIGH SCHOOL 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Children’s Activities (inflatables, balloon animal artist, and face painting) Won Awards Participated in 6:00 pm ‐ The Hackens Boys – With a unique blend of Country and Rock they cover a variety of songs that are fan favorites, and some that if you don’t know, you will be singing by the end of the night. Specializing in Top 40 Country, they find time to fit in classic rock legends like Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ Top; 90s alternative artists such as Matchbox 20, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Pearl Jam; and Texas Country icons including Cross Canadian Ragweed, Reckless Kelly, and Chris Knight. Growing from a campfire jam session to an award winning Shenandoah Valley favorite, the band’s name was coined from a place in Highland County, VA, where family roots and traditions run deep when they were formed in 2005. In February, 2006, The Hackens Boys played their first show as an official group, and have not looked back since. In the annual Best in the Valley Survey conducted by Harrisonburg, VA’s Daily News Record they were voted Best Artist (2008), Best Local Artist Featuring Original Music (2009), and Best Local Cover Band (2010‐2012). 7:00 pm ‐ City of Fairfax Band 8:00 pm ‐ Presentation of Colors by American Legion Post 177; National Anthem (performed by the City of Fairfax Band); Awards Presentation (Mayor and City Council Awards; IDCC Award; and High School Marching Band Awards) 8:20 pm – Party Like It’s… is a high‐energy, seven‐piece party band playing a mix of current hits and classic songs as well as sing‐a‐long favorites from the 80s, 90s, and today, all with a unique flavor and unbeatable energy! Party Like It's... was formed out of a love for playing fun, upbeat party music that everyone can enjoy. The band consists of veterans of the music scene from the East and the West coast as well as Japan. Party Like It's... also features current members of Washington, DC, favorites The Pietasters, Eastern Standard Time, and The Legwarmers. Members of Party Like It's… have shared the stage with bands such as Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Bruno Mars, Weezer, NOFX, Less Than Jake, and countless more... 9:20 pm – 1812 Overture (performed by the City of Fairfax 9:30 pm – FIREWORKS (rain date for fireworks ONLY is July 5 @ 9:30 pm) 9:45 ‐10:30 pm ‐‐ Evening Show Entertainment continues with PARTY LIKE IT’S… PLEASE NOTE: Pets (except for service animals) are kindly discouraged from the parade. For the animal’s safety and the safety of individuals attending the parade, please leave pets at home. No tents will be allowed along the parade route. Smoking, alcohol, animals (except for service animals), or items that may puncture the synthetic turf are NOT allowed on the Fairfax High School stadium field during the evening show. All bags are subject to inspection. Old Lee Highway will be closed from Ridge Avenue (just past Artie’s Restaurant) to Layton Hall Drive from approximately 9:15 pm – 11:00 pm on July 4. Glow Items (necklaces, wands, etc.) will be sold at the evening show; proceeds benefit the IDCC. Evening Show Shuttle Bus Pick‐Up at Woodson High School between 6 – 9:15 pm; buses will return spectators to Woodson immediately following the fireworks until 11:00 pm. The high‐flying balloons in today’s parade are from Big Events in California. Won Awards Participated in ‐ PARADE BEGINS ‐ Signaling the start of our parade today, weather permitting, are planes from the Flying Circus Airshow in Bealeton, VA.