Patriotic readings
The Foundation for Historic Christ Church (FHCC) with the Cobbs Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Richard Henry Lee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invite the community to a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Readings will begin at 4 p.m. today, July 2, in Historic Christ Church, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems. The free event will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration with patriotic songs, a brief history of the document and a public reading performed by various members of the community.
Community 4th
The Morattico Waterfront Museum recently announced plans for its annual community Independence Day celebration, Saturday, July 4. Parade participants will line up at 10:30 a.m. at 5863 Morattico Road. Everyone is reminded to decorate their entries in the spirit of the celebration. Contact John Henry 794-0704, or johnhenrytaylor0746@gmail.com.
A picnic will follow at the museum pavilion. The menu will feature grilled hot dogs, barbecue sliders, chips and drinks. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Contact Pohanka, 773-497-5116, or tpohanka60@gmail.com.
Watch party
The Court House Players and the Mathews County VA250 Committee invite the public to a free community watch party for the PBS broadcast of “America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together” on Saturday, July 4, at the Harry M. Ward Auditorium, Mathews High School, 9889 Buckley Hall Road, Mathews. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the PBS broadcast will air from 8-10 p.m.
This national broadcast originates from Colonial Williamsburg and is part of Virginia’s official commemoration of America’s 250th Anniversary. The program will include music, storytelling, patriotic performances and Fourth of July festivities. Concessions will be available for purchase.
Chorale concert
The Reedville Festival Chorale, under the direction of Sharon Freude, will present a patriotic concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at Festival Halle, 177 Main Street, Reedville. The program will include selected student essays, poetry and art highlighting the significance of America’s 250th birthday.
Admission is by donation. Bring canned food donations for the Healthy Harvest Food Bank.
Chicken dinners
Chicken dinners will be available from 4:30-6 p.m. on first Mondays at American Legion Post #117, 39 School Street, Reedville.
Meals include fried chicken, mashed potatoes, choice of vegetables, salad, roll, dessert and drink. Dinners are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 12 and younger, at the door.
Now showing
“The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns” is now showing at The Lancaster Players Playhouse, 361 Chesapeake Drive, White Stone. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at lancasterplayers.org, or 435-3776.
Evening shows will begin at 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, July 9-11; Sunday matinee, 3 p.m. July 12. The theater will open an hour prior to curtain for a social period with cash bar.
Music by the River
The 2026 Music by the River summer concert series will continue Saturday, July 11, at Belle Isle State Park, 1632 Belle Isle Road, Lancaster. The concert will feature The Tidewinders from 6-8 p.m in the picnic area.
Upcoming concerts will include Jumbo Lump Daddy & The Backfin Boys July 18; The Windbags, August 8; and Ramona & The Holy Smokes, August 15.
Now booking
Book a sailing cruise on the historic skipjack Claud W. Somers. Sail dates are July 11 and 25, August 8 and 22, September 12 and 26 and October 10 and 24. The Somers leaves the Reedvile Fishermen’s Museum dock at 10 a.m. and returns at noon.
Tickets cost $30 for museum members or $35 for others. Ages 10 and older are welcome. To book a sail, call 453-6529 or email office@rfmuseum.org.
Annual meeting
U.S. House of Representatives historian Matt Wasniewski will address the Northumberland County Historical Society annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. July 25 at 86 Back Street, Heathsville.
Wasniewski’s talk will include many little-known facts about the U.S. Capitol and the House of Representatives. The meeting is open to the public.
Beekeepers
The Northern Neck Beekeepers Club meets at 7 p.m. on second Mondays at Heathsville United Methodist Church, 39 Courthouse Road, Heathsville.
