Urbanna’s fireworks, boat parade, are slated for this Friday, July 1

by Don Richeson –

Urbanna officials predict thousands will attend the town’s Independence Day-themed activities. Town Administrator Garth Wheeler told the Sentinel this week that he anticipates up to 2,000 people will come by land and by water for the fun, which includes a boat parade and fireworks display set for this Friday, July 1.

Starting at 5 p.m. Friday, disc jockey Kevin Gentry will play music and Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department reps will serve food at the Urbanna Town Marina at 210 Oyster Road. Virginia Street will be closed to vehicles from Cross Street to the marina.

The annual boat parade begins with participants gathering on Urbanna Creek at the Beryl R. Newman Memorial Bridge (nicknamed “Urbanna bridge”) at 7 p.m. Friday. They will then parade past the marina and the judges stand at 7:30 p.m. Judges will award prizes for the most patriotic and most creative. Those receiving awards are also expected to receive gift certificates from town businesses.

Fireworks will fill the sky above Urbanna Harbor shortly after dusk around 9 p.m., depending on weather conditions, to highlight this hometown celebration of America’s 246th birthday. Bay Aging’s fare-free “Pearl,” the Urbanna-based trolley-look mini bus, will run until 10 p.m., making stops at both the town marina and newly named Urbby Marina.

“Folks are discouraged from trying to park at the town marina…