South Tidewater News

Larger than normal crowds are expected to attend the Fourth of July Stars and Stripes Celebration at the Oceanfront next week. While plans for managing traffic are in place to ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike, everyone should expect traffic will be unusually heavy throughout much of the holiday weekend, especially on Tuesday, July 4.

Performances for the Fourth of July Stars and Stripes Celebration begin at 7 p.m., with fireworks launching at 9:30 p.m. at 24th Street and the Boardwalk. The performances for the evening are as follows: Strictly Bizzness at 17th Street Park, The Tidewater Winds Concert Band at 24th Street Park (beginning at 7:30 p.m.) and Good Shot Judy at 31st Street Park. People are encouraged to arrive early in the day to minimize traffic congestion. Visitors who arrive later in the afternoon or early evening should expect extremely slow-moving traffic as well as heavy pedestrian traffic and be advised that a modified traffic plan may be implemented. Starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, vehicles traveling eastbound on I-264 may be redirected westbound at Parks Avenue. The eastbound exit at South Birdneck Road and the westbound exit at First Colonial Road will likely be closed should the diversion be implemented. Routes to the resort area that will remain open include Shore Drive and Laskin Road. This traffic diversion may be in place until around 11:30 p.m.

In addition to the celebration at the oceanfront, residents can watch fireworks at Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation's July 4th Celebration at Mount Trashmore Park. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a performance by BJ Griffin and fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Limited parking will be available for $20 beginning at 2 p.m. and Edwin Drive may close to traffic once the parking lots are full. Visitors should arrive early and expect traffic delays and heavy pedestrian traffic along Independence Boulevard, Edwin Drive, and South Boulevard.

Residents can sign up to receive event updates and emergency alerts during the holiday. Text JULY423 to 67283 to opt-in. Notifications will automatically end after July 4.

Traffic on all of the approaches to these major event areas will be monitored, with an emphasis in ensuring efficient and safe travel and maintaining access for emergency vehicles responding to calls for service. Please note that stopping on the interstate to watch fireworks is not allowed; it is a safety hazard.

The City has partnered with WAZE to provide real-time traffic updates. For information about where to park, visit www.vbgov.com/parking or download one of our apps, including ParkMobile and VBGo. These and other apps are available for free from Google Play or the Apple Store. Holiday parking restrictions for the Residential Parking Permit Program Area at the Oceanfront start July 2 at 6 p.m. and end July 6 at 6 a.m. The "Permit Parking Only" restrictions will be enforced 24 hours daily during this time. Please make sure all residential and employee permits have been updated to avoid receiving a citation. Vehicles found in violation may be towed at the owner's expense. Only neighborhood residents and approved business employee parkers can park here during these restricted hours. For more information, please call 3-1-1.

Virginia Beach public safety officials reminds citizens that fireworks are illegal in the City of Virginia Beach. For details about the fireworks ordinance, visit the Fire Prevention Bureau page. Citizens are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to report illegal fireworks within their neighborhoods.

Check out our "Know Before You Go" tips regarding how to reach the beach, information on trolleys, parking, location of public restrooms and more, or contact the Visitor Information Center at 757-385-7873.

While folks enjoy the fun and fireworks for Fourth of July, the following Virginia Beach facilities will be CLOSED Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4, in observance of the holiday unless otherwise noted below:

• All Virginia Beach government administrative offices
• All Virginia Beach community recreation centers will be open normal hours on Monday, July 3, and closed on Tuesday, July 4
• All Virginia Beach public libraries will be closed Monday, July 3, except the TCC/City Joint-Use Library, which will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. All library branches will be closed Tuesday, July 4.
• Commonwealth's Attorney Office
• Sandler Center for the Performing Arts box office and administrative offices
• The Bruce W. Edwards VBEMS Headquarters and Training Center
• Virginia Beach Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts and Clerk's Offices
• Virginia Beach Convention Center administrative offices
• Virginia Beach Department of Public Health
• Virginia Beach History Museums
• Voter Registrar's Office
• Waste Management administrative offices, the Landfill and Resource Recovery Center and the West Neck Recycling Center

The following facilities will be OPEN to the public July 3-4 during the following hours:

• All Virginia Beach city parks and park facilities are open regular hours including the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility
• EMS Field Operations and EMS Marine Response will remain in service around-the-clock
• EMS lifeguard stands at Sandbridge, Market Place and Little Island Beaches will be staffed 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with continued active beach patrolling until sunset
• Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Note that tickets must be purchased in advance and are available from tickets.virginiaaquarium.com
• Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center: Noon to 5 p.m.
• Virginia Beach Farmers Market will be open. Please visit virginiabeach.gov/farmersmarket for individual merchant's store hours. (The Farmers Market Management Office will be closed July 3-4.)
• Visitor Information Center at Chesapeake Bay Center: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Visitor Information Center at Parks Avenue: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Visitor Information Center Kiosks 17th Street & 24th Street at the Oceanfront: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents who normally receive waste collection on Tuesday will instead have their cans serviced on Monday, July 3. Residents should have their cans out to the curb by 7 a.m. All other collections for the week (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) will remain the same.

For information regarding city services and information, visit virginiabeach.gov, www.vbgov.com or contact VB311 Citizen Services by dialing 311 within the city limits.

Original source can be found here.