Red, white and light show: Henrico County’s 4th of July event finds a new home

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — An Independence Day event in Henrico is switching venues for the first time in nearly 40 years. 

One of the big draws in Central Virginia is the fireworks and a laser light show programmed to the live music performance by the Richmond Symphony. 

The celebration will now take place in Dorey Park in the East End, instead of Crump Park in the West End.

Event planners told 8News that this change was about reaching a new community.

Residents living in Henrico’s West End will now have to decide whether or not to make the drive to the eastern part of the county for the show. 

One of the main attractions from Henrico County’s annual Fourth of July Celebration is certainly the music from the Richmond Symphony that fills the air in Dorey Park. 

“I heard the orchestra playing and I decided to come over and listen,” said Mark Kellum. 

A first-time experience for Henrico resident Mark Kellum, who is now become more enthused for the annual event since its relocation.

For 37 years, celebrations took place on the West End at Crump Park. 

“It was a challenge to move everything over to the new park but we think it’s important to provide activities and entertainment and events all across the county,” said Heather Clement, the Henrico Recreation and Parks Events Manager. 

Clement told 8News that last year’s event drew in roughly 11,000 people. 

With 400 acres at Dorey Park, organizers said shifting the event just makes sense. 

“If it’s an inconvenience for you to drive here, it was an inconvenience for us to drive to Crump Park all these years. So I mean, it’s for the county, it’s for the county and it’s something special, said Kellum. “And a 25-minute ride’s not going to hurt anybody.”

Another Henrico resident, LaTanya Garrett, called for the community to come to the Dorey Park for the celebrations. 

“Come out and join us, bring your blankets.” 

This event kicks off at 5 p.m. tomorrow and organizers suggest arriving early to beat the crowd, reminding locals there is a limited amount of people they can allow in the park.