Several local fireworks and festivities for Independence Day have been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Town of Herndon has already called off its fireworks display. Fireworks are still set to take place in D.C., though.

Fairfax County has advice for using fireworks safely and determining which are illegal and legal.

Let us know in the poll below what you plan to do for the Fourth of July.

Photo by Sheri Hooley on Unsplash

Fairfax County government offices and libraries are closed tomorrow (July 4) for the independence day holiday. Here’s a roundup of what you need to know as we head into the holiday:

• Reston Community Center Hunters Woods: Open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Reston Association headquarters: Closed
• Reston Association Central Services Facility: Closed
• Reston Association pools: Open
• Terry L. Smith Aquatics Center: Open from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Reston Community Center Lake Anne: Closed
• Frying Pan Farm Park: Open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Fairfax Connector: Operates on Saturday schedule
• Circuit Court: Closed
• General District Court: Closed
• Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court: Closed
• County trash and recycling collection: Contact trash and recycling collector directly for service schedule changes

There are plenty of local options to catch fireworks shows in the area.

File photo

Greats Falls and Reston soccer merge — “The Reston Soccer Association and Great Falls Soccer Club merged in March of this year, combining to form one club of around 2,600 players. The merger has been a subject of discussion for years now, but only recently came to fruition after careful coordination between members of the Reston and Great Falls Boards of Directors.” [The Connection]

Be wary when going outside today — An air quality alert has been issued for today. The heat index could climb into the high 90s or even the low 100s. [National Weather Service]

Herndon’s high hopes for Metro — “The town is preparing for an unprecedented amount of high-density development around the Silver Line’s new Herndon Metro station slated to open in 2020.” [Washington Business Journal]

Nearby: Fireworks and family fun — “Lake Fairfax Park will host its annual fireworks show on Saturday, June 30, 2018. (Rain date July 1, 2018). Come to the park early and spend the day. The park opens at 7 a.m.” [Fairfax County Government]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

A new home — Global construction firm Bechtel Corp. will move its headquarters from San Francisco to Reston by the end of the year, bidding farewell to its base of operations for the first time in more than 100 years. [The Washington Post]

Fifth annual ‘Chalk on the Water’ festival is this weekend — “Public Art Reston, in collaboration with Friends of Lake Anne, will present Chalk on the Water at Lake Anne, the annual chalk festival at Lake Anne Plaza. Public Art Reston is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its founding.” [Reston Community Center]

Beauty for all the senses — Reston Chorale showcased five gardens of distinction in four local neighborhoods during the annual Gardens of Note event. [The Connection]

Fired up about fireworks — Lake Fairfax Park will host its annual fireworks show on June 30. As soon as the skies darken, fireworks will light up the sky. [Fairfax County Parks Authority]

PassionFish reopens — After temporarily closing for renovations, the restaurant in Reston Town Center is now open. [PassionFish]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

If the fireworks Saturday night at Lake Fairfax Park weren’t enough for you, the Town of Herndon has you covered.

Herndon’s annual Fourth of July celebration is scheduled for Tuesday night at Bready Park (814 Ferndale Ave.). Free games, bingo, and children’s arts and crafts start at 6:30 p.m. There will be entertainment throughout the night, leading up to the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.

Traffic will be rerouted during the event. Ferndale Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Vine Street to Barton Oaks Place once the event parking lots are full, and it will remain closed until the conclusion of the fireworks. Additional parking will be available at Herndon Middle School, Herndon Centennial Golf course and Herndon Community Center.

What are YOU doing for the #4thofJuly? #Herndon has a great evening planned for you! Fireworks at dark! https://t.co/qwHbHBqkeG

— Mayor Lisa Merkel (@Lisa4Herndon) July 2, 2017

Cars that are parked at the Herndon Community Center will not be released until the fire marshal clears the area an hour after the fireworks show.

Eventgoers are encouraged to leave their pets at home and to leave the fireworks to the professionals. Blankets and lawn chairs are allowed, but no alcohol or glass containers. Bags and coolers may be searched.

In the case of inclement weather in the evening, the fireworks may be delayed or postponed until Wednesday night.

Who doesn’t love the oohs and aahs of a fireworks display on Fourth of July weekend?

Whether you’re staying in Reston this weekend or heading out for a little getaway, you’re sure to be able to find the American tradition wherever you go. Lay out a blanket and enjoy the show.

Here are some of the locations around the area where you’ll be able to celebrate the nation’s 241st birthday this long weekend:

TONIGHT

• South Riding: South Riding Golf Club (43237 Golf View Drive) — The event kicks off with the Star Spangled Parade, which will leave from Town Hall (43055 Center St.) at 5 p.m. From 6-9 p.m., enjoy music by The Reagan Years. The night concludes with fireworks at approximately 9 p.m.
• Warrenton: Aquatic and Recreation Facility (800 Waterloo Road) — Music, games, swimming, vendors and more. Family-friendly fun. Fireworks at dusk. Free, everyone is welcome. Event begins at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Reston: Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) — 7 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Features live music, puppet show, food vendors and of course, the fireworks. Parking is $10 per car. The Water Mine water park and the Lake Fairfax boat rentals/rides will also be operating.
• The Plains: Great Meadow Foundation (5089 Old Tavern Road) — Gates open at 4 p.m. There will be a huge variety of children’s activities included with general admission purchase, including rock wall for climbing, pony rides, moon bounces, slides, the famous rain machine, lasertag and more. Throughout the day enjoy a choreographed air performance, polo exhibitions and rocketry demonstrations. The grand finale comes at dark with one of the metropolitan area’s biggest fireworks shows.

SUNDAY

• Leesburg: Lansdowne Resort (44050 Woodridge Parkway) — Celebrate America’s most patriotic holiday at Lansdowne Resort and Spa with live music, food trucks, local brews and wines, and fireworks. $5 admission fee.

MONDAY

• Waterford: Water Street Meadow (15513 Loyalty Road) — Parking at the Old School and Waterford Elementary School. No parking on the meadow except cars with handicapped tag. No sparklers or other fireworks allowed

TUESDAY

• National Mall — Considered one of the best fireworks shows in the country, viewing areas on the National Mall near the Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool will be accessible only through secure access points. Begins after sunset. Plan to arrive early. Other viewing areas in D.C. include the U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, The White House Ellipse, West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park and Anacostia Park; in Virginia, check it out from the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
• Herndon: Bready Park (814 Ferndale Ave.) — Events begin at 6:30 p.m. with games, bingo and children’s arts and crafts, followed by entertainment at 7:15. Fireworks show choreographed to music begins at dark, about 9:30 p.m.
• Great Falls: Turner Farm Park (925 Springvale Road) — Kicks off with a 5K Walk/Run at 8 a.m., followed by the hometown Fourth of July Parade at 10 a.m., at the Great Falls Village Centre, 776 Walker Road, Great Falls. After the parade, enjoy the food, music, field games and festivities on the Village Centre Green. Turner Farm Park will open its gates at 6 p.m. for music, games, contests and food trucks until the fireworks show gets underway just after dusk.
• Fairfax: Fairfax High School (3501 Rebel Run) — After a parade from 10 a.m. to noon, and a day filled with activities, live music will start at the high school at 5:30 p.m. building up to the fireworks show at about 9:30.
• Vienna: Yeonas Park/Southside Park (1319 Ross Drive SW) — Fireworks will begin at dark, about 9:30 p.m. Prior to the fireworks, Fat Chance will entertain with songs from all generations. kids’ pie-eating contest for ages 5-10 takes place at 7 p.m., followed by the chili dog-eating contest. Little League concession will be open for refreshments at Yeonas Park. Call 703-255-6352 for details.
• Leesburg: Ida Lee Park (60 Ida Lee Drive NW) — The Independence Day celebration begins with the annual parade at 10 a.m. and continues with a concert and fireworks at Ida Lee Park in the evening.
• McLean: Churchill Road Elementary School (7100 Churchill Road) — Begins at 6:30 p.m. with a disc jockey providing the music and food trucks selling a variety of entrees and snacks, followed by fireworks. Off-site parking and shuttles available. Admission is free.
• Mount Vernon — (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Salute the first commander in chief during Mount Vernon’s annual Independence Day event. Watch dazzling made-for-daytime fireworks shoot off over the Potomac River and listen to the roar of cannon fire while viewing special military re-enactments throughout the day.
• Woodbridge: Potomac Nationals (7 County Complex Court) — The P-Nats will clash with their “Battle of the Beltway” rival, Frederick Keys, for a special 6:35 p.m. first pitch. Gates will open at 5 p.m., signaling the beginning of the Food, Fireworks and Fun picnic in the Bullpen Picnic Patio. After the game, the night sky with light up with the best fireworks show of the 2017 campaign.
• Manassas Park: Signal Hill Park (9300 Signal View Drive) — Fireworks celebration from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Signal Hill Park. There will be free shuttles from the VRE Station and City Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Parking is $5 beginning at 5 p.m. There’s on-site parking for handicapped individuals only.
• Fredericksburg: Pratt Park (120 River Road) — The Heritage Festival is an all-day affair that includes a 5-mile run, a downtown parade, a street festival with more than 100 vendors, live music and a fireworks display. Gates close at 8:30 p.m.; earlier if police determine the crowd is too large. Alcoholic beverages, sparklers and grills are not allowed. All dogs must be on a leash.

Weather Report for Holiday Weekend — This Saturday, expect a high near 90 degrees, but a chance of afternoon thunderstorms might impact projected fireworks shows in the area. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will also have highs in the low 90s, but there’s a chance of rain on the Fourth. [The Weather Channel]

Heavy Congestion Projected on Holiday Weekend — According to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s interactive traffic trends map, expect major traffic jams along Interstate 95 on Sunday as people travel for the holiday. [VDOT]

Residents Reminded to Be Safe With Fireworks — Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them, never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse, never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned, and never point or throw fireworks at another person. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue]

New Laws Take Effect Tomorrow — Take a look at some of the new legislation that will go into effect July 1, including changes to rules about absentee voting, concealed carry permits and more. [Fairfax County]

Toll Road Ramp Work Starts After Holiday — Make sure to reevaluate the morning commute starting next next Friday. The ramp from the eastbound Dulles Toll Road to the Fairfax County Parkway will be diverted through the Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride parking lot, starting next Thursday night and lasting “through 2017.” [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]

Local Artist Wins Tröegs Contest — Marni Manning’s “Renaissance of Beer” painting was the big winner in the Pennsylvania craft beer company’s recent art contest. [Tröegs]

Herndon Man Admits to Bank Robberies — Bruce Wayne Higgins robbed four banks in Maryland and New Jersey last December. [WTOP]

Who says you can’t celebrate July 4 three days early?

On July 1, Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive) will host a “Fireworks, Food and Family Fun” event from 7 a.m.-9:15 p.m. The all-day event will feature live music, a puppet show and a fireworks show, plus more.

Parking will cost $10 for the event, said Dave Hantagimana from the Lake Fairfax Park staff. That is up from last year’s parking fees, which were $5 a car. The year before in 2015, parking was free with a suggested donation.

The rain date for the event is Sunday, July 2.

All of the park’s usual amenities will be open for families to enjoy. The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole will open at 10 a.m.

Join the national birthday celebration July 1 at Lake Fairfax Park for fireworks, games and more! https://t.co/XLLAT9KiwV pic.twitter.com/pCkxbOMHBk

— Fairfax County Parks (@fairfaxparks) June 26, 2017

Pedal boat rentals will also be available to take out around the lake at the rate of $7 for a half hour. At least one person in the pedal boat must be 16 or over. There will also be tour boat rides and the opportunity to take out a private boat.

Food vendors will be set up near the park entrance, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority flyer for the event.

Campgrounds are available for an overnight stay but reservations are recommended.