The Shadow
The Stars and Stripes Celebration Committee of Clifton Forge Main Street, Inc. is excited to announce this year’s 245th Nation’s Birthday events! We will kick off our patriotic celebration with a Flag Day Ceremony, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Masonic Amphitheatre. Included in the ceremony will be flag presentations by Boy Scout Troop #2, and Clifton Forge VFW Post 4299. In addition, there will be patriotic music sung by Alan Dale Craft and a benefit picnic supper with a birthday cake.
On July 4th, we will begin the day-long celebration with a parade at 12:30 p.m. through Historic Downtown Clifton Forge. We urge you to come out and enjoy the parade or even be in it!
As this is a small-town celebration in the best sense of the word, we are hoping that many of our young people will hop on their bikes, carry a flag or wear something red, white and blue and march or ride in the parade.
When you arrive for the parade, you will find a July 4th street market open in front of the Historic Masonic Theatre on Main Street. Artisans and food vendors will be available there throughout much of the day. At the conclusion of the parade everyone is invited to gather in the Historic Masonic Theatre for a special ceremony honoring our veterans and first responders. Following a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and the short but very moving ceremony in honor of our veterans and first responders, we encourage you to walk over to the Masonic Amphitheatre for an afternoon concert.
At 6 p.m the grounds of the C & O Heritage Center open to the public for an evening of informal fun, food and festivities. Back by popular demand is the fifty-member Celebration Choir presenting a Patriotic Cantata. This outstanding presentation will include a formal Retreat of the Colors. To cap off the day, an awesome fireworks display will take place at dusk to close out the day-long celebration.
Mott Atherholt, chair of the Stars and Stripes Celebration Committee recently commented, “What could be more thrilling than to once again be able to plan a community event in Clifton Forge and what event could be more perfect to celebrate first than the Birthday of our Nation. What a Great Day to Be Alive in Clifton Forge.“
The Stars and Stripes Committee hopes you will set aside this special holiday to join us in a day-long celebration of our Nation’s 245th birthday. Join in our parade — join in a very unique small-town celebration! Please call the Main Street Office for more information at 540-862-2000, visit our website www.cfmainstreet.com or visit our Facebook page. See you in Clifton Forge on July 4th.
