4th of July at Colonial beach????

[Sheliajean Colosimo]

I was wondering other than fireworks was Colonial Beach having any thing SPECIAL going on the 4th, this year??? My Family & I love your little beach. And we are trying to figure out if it is worth it, to battle the traffic this year or not???

[OSHUNBRZ]

I live there on the weekends and I can't even figure out if other events besides Fireworks are in the 'works'. All I have seen on the web is: July 4th Celebration, Town Boardwalk.

[Cloudy Skies]

Nothing planned but a bazare at a church and something at the American Legion. BTW - if you don't live in town plan on paying $10 to park your vehicle. According to the local papers the town will be sitting up parking lots with volunteer organziations collecting the fee.

[E Way]

there's a new post up now, that says there will be more happening. I live in CB, but I will not be going down to the beach this year. I hope that some organizations are taking over parking. Last year it was a mess! People were just parking everywhere, and on town hill we left just in time-otherwise we would have been trapped. The crowd was very unruly. I have a new car this year, and there is no way I would risk parking down there if conditions are the same this year! If you like the beach and the town, then I would suggest coming on a regular weekend, or even a weekday in the summer. There are some nice art festivals. I think the town is much nicer on those days!

[Beach Regular]

I can understand if certain organizations want to charge to park in their area, but to charge every car entering the beach is unacceptable. My family owns a house at the beach and we visit on the weekends. How are you going to charge me? Just because my vehicle isn't registered in the beach? How can you stop home owners from accessing public streets in the beach? I don't think this was very well thought out and they are looking to make a quick buck. How about putting up no parking signs and not allowing vehicles to park where you don't want them. Charge at the lots around the Riverboat and the beach. Once that is full and street parking is full then filter them to the organizations lot. I get more and more disgusted with the leadership in Colonial Beach and their 3rd grade thought process .

[Dee]

At Martha's Vineyard, if you're not in place by 3:00 p.m., you're not allowed to bring your car on the island. I'm glad Colonial Beach is trying to get a handle on the chaos of July 4th. It may be a little awkward this first time out, but let's cooperate and work toward getting a handle on it. Everyone will benefit. If paid parking discourages some, so be it. Those who have used our town as a place to party and trash and who don't patronize our businesses and cause our Public Works staff to work overtime to clean up the mess left behind is over (I hope!) Be patient. Let's make this year the start of a workable plan.

[E Way]

I was glad to see the real scoop in the JOurnal-the article says the police department will have an information booth near NAPA, directing visitors to the designated parking areas. The Chief is reported to have said they will not be stopping every car and will not be charging everyone who comes in. Guess we should all try to remember that we can't believe everything we see on the internet. Now that I've read that article, especially the emphasis on making it safe and easy for people to leave after the fireworks, I think the Police Department has a good plan. I really hope it works!

[Honey]

E Way cant wait for this to unfold. I was at the Food Lion today and a man said he talked to Chief Hawkins Yesterday and the Journal was wrong. They will be stopping everyone . No one really believes what Anne writes in the Jornal.
Looking forward to seeing what happens
If only we had an official site. with the straigth fact.
And where are th potties located.

[omg]

Honey, It was also in the Westmoreland News should we stop believing them too? Man I am surprised how many old gossiping bitties know how to use a computer these days.

[omg]

Oh and potties are located where they have been for years, next to the cannon in a brick building and on the boardwalk in a concrete building. And portajohns are on town hill behind the garden.

"Every little bit helps said the old lady as she peed in the ocean"

[Honey]

omg: The Journal said that Chief Hawkins said the Westmoreland News story was wrong.
The fireworks were fantastic. I think a lot of people may have left because of the rain storm.
I was near the pier and everyone there had a good time and no problems.
Anyone have a count on how many saw the fireworks.
I think Chief Hawkins did a great job, and with the help of all the other police departments, county and state.
OH, the gossiping man at Food Lion was about 30.

[cbfromhere]

Other than the parking didn't seem much different than last year. The Police Officers did a great job wish could say the same about Parking Attendants on Wilder Ave, Blocking off roads and directing traffic and attitudes, seemed they only have dollars signs in their eyes. Hopefully next year the Fire and Rescue will get the benefit from the money, they can sure use it.

[CB local]

What an amazing day it was! In all the years I have been here I have never seen a more well behaved crowd.
Thanks Chief Hawkins. in the short time you have been here you have changed our town's reputation from the old 'anything goes' to a place where families can gather for a peaceful day on the beach.
We are so lucky to have you.