Celebrate Independence! America’s 250th at Historic Smithfield
Venue: Historic Smithfield, Blacksburg
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Event Types: Music, Food, Miscellaneous, Family Friendly, Arts & Theatre, Speaking Engagements
Cost: Free
Description:
Historic Smithfield presents "Celebrate Independence Day! America’s 250th Anniversary" on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

UPDATE: Due to expected heat, the event will now end at 1:00 PM instead of 3:00 PM. House Tours will be available until 3:00 PM.

Celebrate Independence Day with a fun, festive, and educational afternoon at Historic Smithfield! Join us for a community-wide commemoration that brings history to life while honoring the spirit of 1776.

Event Schedule:
- 10:00-10:30 AM: Readings of the Declaration of Independence and "What to a Slave is the Fourth of July"
- 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM: House Tours
- 10:00-11:00 AM: Floyd Historical Dancers
- 10:30-11:30 AM: Blue Ridge Vocal Connection
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Petting Zoo
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Mill Tours on the hour
- 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Performance by Proclamation Theatre
- 12:15-1:00 PM: Montgomery Junior Appalachian Musicians
- 12:00-2:00 PM: Harp music by Chloe Shelton

Join us at Historic Smithfield for a full day of colonial-era demonstrations, rousing music, and programming that explores the full meaning of American independence. Watch a blacksmith shape iron at the forge, try your hand at candle dipping or tricorn hat making, and stroll through the grounds as spinners, militia members, a broommaker, and other historical demonstrators bring the 18th century to life.

The day's programming takes seriously both the promise and the complexity of July 4th. Hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud alongside Frederick Douglass' landmark 1852 address, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?", presented by Blacksburg Town Councilman Darryl Campbell. The day will also feature additional pop-up lectures.

Younger visitors can visit the petting zoo, use the printing press, contribute to a community paper star art project and join hands-on learning activities.

Local museums, community groups, partners and food trucks will also be onsite.

This event is the culmination of a regional, multi-day Independence Day commemoration highlighting the shared history of Southwest Virginia.

Whether you’re passionate about history or just looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the holiday, we invite you to bring your friends, family & picnic blankets and join us.

Help us spread the word and celebrate Independence Day where history happened!

Historic Smithfield is located at 1000 Merry Oak Way in Blacksburg, VA.

To view the event flyer, visit: https://res.cloudinary.com/du5lfb5z3/image/upload/v1782879562/HistoricSmithfieldJuly4Schedule_dnkkpi.jpg or https://res.cloudinary.com/du5lfb5z3/image/upload/v1781724080/HistoricSmithfieldJuly42026_eg7uus.jpg or https://i.postimg.cc/MpqCP2WP/image.png.

For more information, visit: http://www.historicsmithfield.org/events or https://www.facebook.com/historicsmithfield1774 or https://www.facebook.com/events/667818709690802 or https://www.instagram.com/historicsmithfield/ or call 540-231-3947.