New for 2012, a family friendly 4th of July celebration will be held at Long Bridge Park at 475 Long Bridge Drive in Crystal City beginning at 12 noon. The celebration will include food vendors, local arts and crafts vendors, free face painting, balloon art, moon bounces, a variety of games for all ages, and a view of the fireworks at the National Mall.
A family bike parade and bike decoration contest begins at noon at the esplanade entrance to the park at Crystal Drive. A local arts and crafts market will be open from 12-5 with food vendors set up from 12- 8 PM. Family activities and games will be going on throughout the day including moon bounces, face painting, balloon art, American flag tag relay, sneaker scramble, wacky waiter relay, three-legged race, sack races, tug-o-war, water balloon catch, red, white & blue tag, horse shoes, soccer, capture the flag, corn hole, bocce ball, speed ball, parachute games, hula hoops, croquet, triangle ball, and a monkey ring toss.
In addition to the family games and activities, the DC Social Sports Club @ Arlington is hosting its inaugural Summer Showcase Tournament at the 4th of July event. Tournaments and open play activities include Co-ed 6 v 6 Flag Football, Co-ed Grass Volleyball, Co-ed Outdoor Dodgeball, Field Day Challenges, Cornhole and Bocce. Participation is open to anyone 18 years or older.
Live music from The New Dominion Band and NoBetterOff will be playing from 6 to 9 p.m. on the mobile stage set up in the parking lot followed by the fireworks on the National Mall which are scheduled to begin at 9:15. Guests will be able to set up on the turf beginning at 8 PM to watch the fireworks.
Many Crystal City restaurants will also be offering special deals during the event.
There will be no on-site parking during the event. Complimentary shuttles will run continuously from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. to and from the Crystal City Metro Station (in the bus bay area), Pentagon City Metro Station (at the bus stop at S. Hayes and S. 12th St) and the Shops at Crystal City (across from the Fed Ex Office).
Please note that the Arlington County Police Department will perform searches of bags and coolers. Alcohol, fireworks and grills are not permitted at the event and will be confiscated. Food, drink (excluding water), and spiked shoes are not permitted on turf fields.
For additional event information, call (703) 228-3329.
