{"id":2446187,"date":"2026-06-05T10:58:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T10:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2446187"},"modified":"2026-06-05T10:58:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T10:58:59","slug":"staunton-fourth-of-july-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/staunton-fourth-of-july-celebration\/","title":{"rendered":"Staunton Fourth of July celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<div id=\"videoWrap\" class=\"spacer-large videoWrap\" style=\"position:relative\"><media-video video-id=\"90406967007\" title=\"Staunton's Happy Birthday America 2026 just around the corner\" poster=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2025\/07\/04\/PSTA\/84473432007-nd-4-0948.JPG?crop=4372,2459,x0,y410\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\" placement=\"snow-video-story-priority\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"uwVideoPlaceholder\" slot=\"placeholder\" style=\"z-index:19;width:100%;padding-bottom:56.25%;position:relative\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"vidplaybtn\" style=\"display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:-webkit-flex;display:flex;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,.4);border:2px solid #fff;border-radius:80px;cursor:pointer;height:80px;width:80px;position:absolute;top:50%;left:50%;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);z-index:10\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"vidplayicon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/appservices\/universal-web\/universal\/icons\/icon-play-alt-white.svg\" alt=\"play\" style=\"height:40px;margin:auto 18px auto 27px;width:40px\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div slot=\"videoDetails\" id=\"videoDetails\" class=\"videoDetails\" style=\"padding-top:8px;padding-bottom:8px\">\n<div id=\"videoDetailsContainer\" class=\"videoDetailsContainer\" hidden=\"\">\n<p>Staunton&#8217;s Happy Birthday America 2026 just around the corner<\/p>\n<p>Happy Birthday America celebration in Staunton includes a parade, music, a 5K race, fireworks and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/media-video><\/div>\n<p><story-highlights class=\"spacer-small column ten-column no-gutter\" util-module-path=\"elements\/story\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Applications are now open for Staunton&#8217;s 2026 &#8220;Happy Birthday America&#8221; Independence Day celebration.<\/li>\n<li>The three-day event will feature a parade, carnival, fireworks, and a Firecracker 5K race.<\/li>\n<li>Country and gospel artists Wilson Fairchild and Jimmy Fortune are scheduled to perform.<\/li>\n<li>The nonprofit is seeking volunteers, vendors, parade participants, and sponsors for the festivities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/story-highlights><partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"390\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\"\/>\n<p>Happy Birthday\u00a0America, the volunteer-led nonprofit organization behind Staunton\u2019s annual Independence Day celebration, has officially opened applications for volunteers, parade participants, pageant contestants, food concessions, non-food vendors, and the Staunton Firecracker 5K as part of the organization\u2019s 2026 Fourth of July festivities.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"600\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\" momentum=\"\"\/>\n<p>Sponsorship opportunities are also now available for businesses and organizations looking to support one of the Shenandoah Valley\u2019s largest free community celebrations.<\/p>\n<p>The expanded three-day celebration begins Sunday, June 28, with the\u00a0Happy Birthday\u00a0America Beauty Pageant. Festivities continue Friday, July 3, with a patriotic kickoff event featuring live music, inspirational speakers, and special performances. The celebration culminates Saturday, July 4, with a full day of family-friendly events including the Firecracker 5K, the annual patriotic parade through Gypsy Hill Park, food and artisan vendors, carnival rides, live entertainment, and an expanded fireworks finale.<\/p>\n<p><media-image image-set=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2025\/07\/04\/PSTA\/84473876007-nd-4-1037.JPG bestCrop, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2025\/07\/04\/PSTA\/84473876007-nd-4-1037.JPG?crop=4372,3279,x0,y0 4:3, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2025\/07\/04\/PSTA\/84473876007-nd-4-1037.JPG?crop=2460,3279,x956,y0 3:4, https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2025\/07\/04\/PSTA\/84473876007-nd-4-1037.JPG?crop=4372,2459,x0,y0 16:9\" image-alt=\"\" credit=\"Patrick Hite\/The News Leader\" caption=\"The 2025 Happy Birthday America parade in Staunton's Gypsy Hill Park.\" orientation=\"horizontal\" class=\"spacer-large\" util-module-path=\"elements\/media\"\/><\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s event will feature headline musical performances from country and gospel favorites Wilson Fairchild and Jimmy Fortune, with performances beginning at 7:30 p.m. on July 4 at Gypsy Hill Park. Admission is free to the public.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"390\" outstream=\"\"\/><partner-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" class=\"spacer-large\" placement=\"native-article_link\" sizes=\"[[300, 250], [3, 3]]\" min-height=\"250\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Volunteer opportunities<\/h2>\n<p>Volunteers are essential to making\u00a0Happy Birthday\u00a0America possible each year. Community members are invited to assist with event setup, parade operations, information booths, logistics, and event breakdown throughout the celebration weekend.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Parade applications<\/h2>\n<p>Applications are now open for one of the Shenandoah Valley\u2019s and Virginia\u2019s largest Independence Day parades. Organizers encourage businesses, churches, schools, civic groups, marching bands, veterans organizations, equestrian units, dance teams, emergency vehicles, and community organizations to apply early, as parade space is expected to fill quickly and there are limited spots remaining.<\/p>\n<p><cta-atoms-container-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/cta\" class=\"spacer-large\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong style=\"margin-right:3px\">Plan your next road trip: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newsleader.com\/story\/news\/local\/history\/2026\/06\/04\/shenandoah-national-park-plan-your-virginia-visit\/90076832007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Visit Shenandoah National Park for hiking, scenic drives, rich history<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<partner-inline util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" placement=\"native-article_link\" sizes=\"[[300, 250], [3, 3]]\" min-height=\"250\" fluid=\"\" outstream=\"\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Pageant applications<\/h2>\n<p>Contestants are invited to participate in the annual\u00a0Happy Birthday\u00a0America Pageant, where winners will serve as official ambassadors for the 2026 celebration and lead the July 4 parade.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Food and non-food vendors<\/h2>\n<p>The celebration offers vendors an opportunity to connect with thousands of attendees during one of Staunton\u2019s biggest annual events. Food vendors, artisan businesses, nonprofits, and local organizations are encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"600\" outstream=\"\" momentum=\"\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">Staunton Firecracker 5K<\/h2>\n<p>Runners and walkers of all skill levels are invited to participate in the Firecracker 5K, widely recognized as one of the area\u2019s largest and most competitive Independence Day races.<\/p>\n<p><media-gallery-promo asset-id=\"84473971007\" class=\"column ten-column no-gutter spacer-large\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">2026 Event highlights<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Official America250 block party location and VA250 Commemorative Partner<\/li>\n<li>Kickoff event featuring patriotic and gospel music<\/li>\n<li>Large-scale patriotic parade commemorating America\u2019s 250th anniversary<\/li>\n<li>Free live concert featuring Jimmy Fortune and Wilson Fairchild<\/li>\n<li>Family-friendly carnival, food vendors, artisan marketplace, and activities<\/li>\n<li>Expanded July 4 fireworks spectacular<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"presto-h2 wp-block-heading\">About\u00a0Happy Birthday\u00a0America<\/h2>\n<p>Happy Birthday America is a volunteer-led nonprofit organization dedicated to hosting a free, large-scale Independence Day celebration in Staunton, Virginia. As an official America250 Block Party location and VA250 Commemorative Partner, the organization brings together families, businesses, nonprofits, and visitors from across the Shenandoah Valley and beyond to celebrate America\u2019s independence through music, community events, and patriotic traditions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"related-link\"><span class=\"exclude-from-newsgate\"><strong style=\"margin-right:3px\">More: <\/strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newsleader.com\/story\/sports\/high-school\/2026\/06\/04\/fort-defiances-cubbage-and-clinedinst-ready-for-vhsl-class-2-state-high-jump\/90397604007\/\" rel=\"noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Fort Defiance track and field duo raises the bar in high jump<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Monique Calello is a reporter at The News Leader in Staunton covering business, dining and entertainment. Connect with her at\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"mailto:phite@newsleader.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mcalello@newsleader.com<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<partner-banner util-module-path=\"elements\/partner\" fluid=\"\" bottom=\"\" lazy=\"\" class=\"spacer-large\" min-height=\"390\" outstream=\"\"\/><lit-timestamp class=\"column ten-column no-gutter spacer-small\" slot=\"timestamp\" publishdate=\"2026-06-05 08:31:07.743167243 +0000 UTC\" updatedate=\"2026-06-05 08:31:07.743167243 +0000 UTC\"\/><\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.newsleader.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Staunton&#8217;s Happy Birthday America 2026 just around the corner Happy Birthday America celebration in Staunton includes a parade, music, a 5K race, fireworks and more. Applications are now open for Staunton&#8217;s 2026 &#8220;Happy Birthday America&#8221; Independence Day celebration. The three-day event will feature a parade, carnival, fireworks, and a Firecracker 5K race. Country and gospel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2446188,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[420370,30218,309639,24144,240459,284334,22034,239348,384013,306688,51971,345132,345135,25632,239349,339770,352986,24392,21739,22764,345133,21738,28774,239343,239347,306684,25658,23759,69477,480250,410400,478206,23152,284335,239344,36639,444034,352021],"class_list":["post-2446187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-420370","tag-ai","tag-brothers","tag-charity","tag-charity-u0026-philanthropy","tag-enabled","tag-events","tag-events-u0026-listings","tag-fourth","tag-fourth-of-july","tag-highlights","tag-holiday","tag-holiday-marketplace-hub","tag-holidays","tag-holidays-u0026-seasonal-events","tag-hub","tag-july","tag-listings","tag-local","tag-local-news","tag-marketplace","tag-news","tag-of","tag-overall","tag-overall-positive","tag-parades","tag-philanthropy","tag-positive","tag-seasonal","tag-statler","tag-statler-brothers","tag-staunton","tag-story","tag-story-highlights-ai-enabled","tag-u0026","tag-usa","tag-usa-250","tag-va"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Staunton-Fourth-of-July-celebration-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2446187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2446187"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2446187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2446189,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2446187\/revisions\/2446189"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2446188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2446187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2446187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2446187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}