by Don Richeson –
While normal Independence Day community fireworks displays and parades in Middlesex County have been canceled this year due to COVID-19 concerns, there are still ways to celebrate.
A patriotic-theme golf cart parade is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4 on Virginia Street in downtown Urbanna. It is expected to roll from Waverly Road east to Cross Street and is being organized by Urbanna residents and military veterans Jill Durand and Darrell Sears. The parade will actually start at Sears’ business, Unique Golf Carts.
“Decorate your cart, yourself and your dog and join us,” reads a post about the parade on the “What’s Happening in Urbanna” Facebook page. “Good old-fashioned patriotic decorations are encouraged for a fun celebration. Please no politics. — U.S. and military branch flags only.”
Durand invites everyone to come out and watch the fun, even if they don’t have a golf cart. “We’re encouraging people to stand on the street and celebrate with us,” Durand told the Sentinel. “It’s all about being out in the fresh air where it’s safe and celebrating. There’s been too much unhappiness lately and we wanted to do something with the boat parade being canceled and everything.” For parade information, email jilldpill@gmail.com.
There will be a community fireworks display in Middlesex’s immediate neighbor to the north, Essex County, the night before Independence Day. The 22nd annual Essex County/Richmond County Independence Day Fireworks Show is set for 9 p.m. Friday, July 3 at Essex High School, which is at 833 High School Circle off Airport Road in Tappahannock. Attendees are cautioned that there will be extremely limited parking at EHS and if you leave your vehicle, wearing a face mask is requested.
