Join us this Fourth of July on the beautiful grounds of Red Hill, just 4 miles outside of Brookneal, off Route 40. Red Hill, the Patrick Henry National Memorial, is the last home and resting place of Patrick Henry, Virginia's first governor and America's great patriot who spoke the immortal words, "Give me liberty, or give me death!"

This year's Independence Day Celebration will be held on Friday, July 4th with the grounds open all day and closing after 9 p.m. when fireworks conclude the day's events. Live music will be provided by The Overtime Band, playing a variety of music beginning at 5 p.m. and wrapping up shortly before the fireworks. A scrumptious assortment of food will be available from 3 p.m. on from both the Charlotte Lions Club and the Keysville Ruritans. The menu this year includes hot dogs, hamburgers, Italian sausage, fried chicken, French fries, and drinks. Schwann's will be on hand with plenty of ice cream and popsicles to help beat the heat.

Patrick Henry, portrayed by the sixth great grandson of the great patriot who spent the last few years of his life in Charlotte County at Red Hill, will deliver his famous speech in the evening. A living history program, with colonial interpretations, will be available from 4:00 until 7:00. Watch a demonstration of 18th century blacksmithing, try your hand at spinning or weaving, or learn about colonial foodways and medicinal practices. The buildings on the plantation will be open for tours from 3 to 6 p.m. Stop into the Visitor Center and view a fifteen minute video about Henry's role as a founding father and Virginia's first governor or visit the museum (open until 5 p.m.), housing the world's largest collection of Patrick Henry artifacts and memorabilia. Browse the gift shop in the Visitor Center (open until 8 p.m.) or stroll the grounds and admire the handiwork of local artisans who have their work on display and available for sale. Kids will find fun and games at the Children's Tent where all the activities are free. The ever-popular Liberty Glow Necklaces are back again this year, so be sure to stop by at dusk when they go on sale.

Make a stop by Visitor Center or at the volunteers' tent where you can take a chance on a 50:50 drawing. Tickets are just $1 each and proceeds benefit the Patrick Henry Auxiliary, the volunteer organization that supports many of Red Hill's events, including the July Fourth celebration, Naturalization Ceremony and annual Christmas Open House, as well as providing the many guided tours for school students, seniors, motorcoach visitors and other groups who tour Red Hill each year. Tickets go off sale at 8:00 and the drawing for the 50:50 will be held at 8:30.

Top off the day sitting back on your lawn chair and enjoy the spectacular fireworks display that can't be beat for scores of miles around. You'll be glad you made plans to spend this Fourth of July holiday on the beautiful 525-acre grounds of the Patrick Henry National Memorial at Red Hill. The tempo picks up at 3 p.m. with lots to see and do right up through the fireworks, but come early in the day and see why Henry called this "one of the garden spots of the world." And just perhaps, if you arrive early enough, your imagination will allow you to catch a glimpse of the great patriot strolling the grounds as he did more than 200 years ago.

Admission is $10 per vehicle carrying 8 or fewer passengers; extra passengers are $2 per person; motorcoaches, please call in advance for rates. Red Hill is located at 1250 Red Hill Rd., Brookneal, VA. For more information, call 800-514-7463 or visit us on the web at www.redhill.org and www.patrickhenry.com.

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