<p>So I'll skip the "ohh, I'm spending 4th of July at the home of the guy who wrote the darn Declaration of Independence" and just get to it...what's there to do? I'm going down to visit a friend for the weekend (I miss UVA/her horribly, and it's the first open weekend) and I just realized that I'm going to TJ's place. So, there's probably a ton of stuff to do. But, I'm looking mainly to where we can go watch fireworks and if there's cool stuff on-grounds during the day (my mom banned me from taking fireworks..guess she doesn't want a Prof Echols repeat...or me to die). Any thoughts?</p>
<p>There will be fireworks at McIntire Park here in town, in Scottsville (over the James River), in Crozet (on the 5th), and I think Glenmore Country Club and Keswick Hall put them on as well.</p>
<p>In the morning of the 4th, you can go see new citizens take their oaths at Monticello…I think everyone should see that once. There’s also a fair at McIntire Park during the day.</p>
<p>I’m sure The Hook and Cville Weekly will have listings of all the events in next week’s issues.</p>
<p>Dang, I was hoping for fireworks over the Rotunda. Bleh. What’s the easiest way to get to McIntire Park? Can we bus it from central grounds area?</p>
<p>You may want to attend Monticello’s annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony at the historic home of Thomas Jefferson.</p>
<p>President Bush will be the featured speaker this year. He will be the fourth sitting President to attend the event.</p>
<p>You can read more about it here.
[Bush</a> coming to Monticello on July 4 | Charlottesville Daily Progress](<a href=“http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/bush_coming_to_monticello_on_july_4/24126/]Bush”>http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/bush_coming_to_monticello_on_july_4/24126/)</p>
<p>Our family attended several years ago when one of our friends was grated US citizenship. We enjoyed the program very much, although I hope protestors don’t spoil the atmosphere for this year’s recipients and attendees.</p>
<p>It really would be bad if protesters did come. This is a celebration of history, not a political event. They need to pick the proper time and place for their protest–they will be doing nothing more than detracting from the experience of the new citizens.</p>