FORT MONROE EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Fort Monroe, Virginia (July 2, 2013) – Fort Monroe will be open to the public on the Fourth of July, continuing its long and illustrious history as a destination to celebrate the nation’s birthday. The following is an overview of activities and programs for the day.
Beaches and Fishing: Most of the beaches at Fort Monroe will be open to the public all day, with City of Hampton lifeguards on duty from 9 a.m. to dusk. The Engineer Wharf Fishing Pier will open at sunrise and close at noon.
Exhibits: The Casemate Museum will be open from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Museum chronicles the military history of Fort Monroe and features the cell where Jefferson Davis was briefly imprisoned. It also highlights Major General Benjamin Butler’s Contraband of War decision that granted refuge to three escaped slaves, and tells the history of the U.S. Coastal Artillery Corps. Fort Monroe National Monument Junior Ranger program information and passport stamps are also available at the Casemate. Admission is free.
Military Appreciation: Military Appreciation Day will be hosted by the Freedom Support Center at Fort Monroe. This free event is open to active duty service members, veterans and their families. Registered guests will attend the event from 2-6 p.m. The event area is located just north of the Outlook Beach parking lot in the Wherry Quarter area off Fenwick Road. Bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy this family event featuring games, prizes, music, and lots of activities and giveaways from local attractions and businesses. Food vendors will also be on-site to purchase summer food favorites. To gain access to the event, military families and veterans must show Military ID or Virginia Veterans ID card. To register online visit: http://fscmilitaryappreciationday.eventbrite.com/
Music: The Music by the Bay Summer Concert at Continental Park starts at 7 p.m. The U.S. Fleet Forces Band Wind Ensemble will perform. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and park in designated areas. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. Boy Scout Troop 31 will be selling hot dogs, chips and cold drinks. Admission is free.
Fireworks: The 15-minute display will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will launch from the area adjacent to the Irwin and Parrot batteries. Plan to arrive early, bring lawn chairs and blankets and park in designated areas.
Handicapped parking: Designated handicapped parking spaces will be limited.
Weather: Check our website, Facebook and Twitter for updates on the weather conditions.
The Fort Monroe Authority is offering some recommendations and instituting restrictions to insure that the Fourth of July experience here is enjoyable for everyone.
Restrictions and Recommendations:
- Do not bring pets.
- No alcoholic beverages are allowed.
- Coolers and picnic baskets are allowed, but no glass containers.
- Grilling and open flames are not permitted. No personal fireworks are allowed.
- Bicyclists are encouraged to ride in. Please be considerate of pedestrians and not ride on the seawall or boardwalk.
- Do not sit on the seawall or the sidewalk along the seawall. This area needs to be clear for pedestrian access and for the sight lines for those seated on the ground.
- No skates or skateboarding on the seawall, sidewalks, or closed streets. An 800-foot area around the Irwin and Parrott batteries, including the Outlook Beach parking lot, will be closed to launch the fireworks.
- North Beach, also referred to as Dog Beach, will be closed to the public.
- Access inside the Fort will be limited to residents only after 5:30 p.m. No viewing will be allowed from atop the Fort. Hampton police will be patrolling the Bay to ensure boaters keep a safe distance during the fireworks display.
Road Closures:
The following roads will be closed at 5:30 p.m.
- From the intersection of Fenwick Road and Ingalls Road to Griffith Road,
Fenwick Road.
- Bernard Road will be closed to the public for pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- Residents with appropriate passes will have access through North Gate and Main Gate only.
- Ruckman Road, North Gate and Main Gate.
At 9 p.m., no inbound access will be allowed on to Fort Monroe until fireworks have ended and traffic exiting the Fort has cleared.
For more information, contact Phyllis Terrell, 757-251-2754 or PTerrell@fmauthority.com.