County plans variety of July 4th events

TAZEWELL - A traditional July 4th celebration will be held in areas across Tazewell County.

Historic Crab Orchard Museum hosts its annual day of activities starting at 10 a.m. This year’s festival focuses on the colonial experience.

“Our volunteer leadership wants to place more emphasis this year on an authentic colonial interpretation experience for visitors,” says Charlotte Whitted, the museum’s director. Costumed interpreters will provide demonstrations of blacksmithing, woodworking, spinning, weaving, basketweaving, butter churning, hearth cooking, and other period skills.

There will be acoustic Bluegrass from Shelby Jewell and the Bluegrass Kinsmen and traditional games for children and adults alike. Ice cream eating, bubble gum blowing, sack races and watermelon seed spitting are among the children’s activities.

Wheelbarrow race, skillet toss, cross cut saw contest and the whiskey, (lemonade), run are among the games for adults. A revolutionary war reenactment and a colonial militia muster will also be held.

While the celebrating wraps up at 4 p.m. at Crab Orchard Museum, those who want to see fireworks can head to Bulldog Stadium. The Tazewell Town Fire Department is offering a fireworks show starting around nine p.m.

Music from the Southern Knights band will precede the fireworks. On the eastern end of the county, Pocahontas is planning a full evening of July 4th events.

The town will host a parade, music, dance and fireworks in Laurel Meadows Park starting at 7 p.m. Bluefield does not hold a July 4th celebration but residents can catch fireworks at Bowen field following the Orioles game.