June 25, 2021

More July Fourth Details, Safety Town Reminder, and Navigating New Quarter Park

County Staff Readies Yorktown for 4^th of July
The schedule is set and staff are getting ready for the big day on Sunday, July 4, when we celebrate our nation’s independence.  Over the next week, the County’s Public Works teams will be setting up the parking area on the battlefield with orange fencing and barrels to mark parking lanes.  Tourism Development staff have been maintaining a steady presence on social media and their website with a helpful blog that describes the events and the details the public needs to know.  Such as….FIREWORKS ARE BACK! The show returns to thrill visitors this year at two prime viewing areas:  along the waterfront and at the Victory Monument.  The dazzling fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m., but visitors will want to arrive early for the afternoon/evening activities, such as the Sounds of Liberty Bell Ringing Ceremony, live concert by the Super Jazz Band featuring Conni Ironmonger, and more!  Event parking opens at 4 p.m. on the battlefield located near the corner of Cook Road and Ballard Street. Parking is limited, so arrive early…as soon as the battlefield area is full, the town closes to vehicle traffic.  More details are available in this week’s press release and on the Visit Yorktown website.  Just a reminder that Market Days is not held next Saturday, July 3, as staff prepare for the July 4^th events. So be sure to visit the market tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and pick up items for your table and to enjoy as you stroll among the tables. Visit the Market Days website for a list of this week’s vendors and artisans.

There is Still Time to Register For Safety Town Live Webinar
Thanks to York County’s Fire & Life Safety Department and Community Services staff, this popular award-winning program returns this year with LIVE online lessons. Three safety lessons are taught live each day and two are provided through video and supplemental resources. The mini-town where children learn traffic and pedestrian safety – a favorite each year – is set-up inside Yorktown Middle School and children may attend one time slot to “ride the town.”  All participants receive a Safety Town kit that includes a backpack, helmet, t-shirt, and daily packets to utilize the week of Safety Town – July 12-15. Registration for Safety Town can be found on the Parks and Recreation website.  Children of all ages can benefit from the safety resources available online featuring videos and printables on a variety of topics.  

Stay Up-to-Date with Actions from the Board of Supervisors’ Meetings
At the Board’s June 15 meeting, David Coe, Executive Director of Colonial Behavioral Health, shared an update, and Robert Crum, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, gave a presentation on the Birthplace of America Trail initiative. As with all of the presentations to the Board, you can see them online. Action taken on other agenda items can be found here.  The next meeting is July 20 in the Board Room at York Hall. Meetings are broadcast live on WYCG-TV (Cox 46, Verizon 38) and live-streamed online with replays available on demand.
 
Find Your Way at New Quarter Park
If you enjoy hiking through the woods and navigating to various checkpoints by way of a map and compass, New Quarter Park has the course for you!  The Orienteering course includes 20 checkpoints across 5.7 kilometers. Visit the Parks and Recreation website for the course map and chart!  This is great fun for the whole family.  Did you know this is just one of many things you can do this summer at New Quarter Park?  Watch this video to learn all about it.

Register by July 7 for Master Gardener Training
Time is running out for you to register for the Peninsula Master Gardener Training Course. This 12-week virtual program is August 18 through November 10.  Class discussions are held Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and there are three optional Saturday field trips.  Upon completion, program graduates will return 50 hours of service to their local Virginia Cooperative Extension office by participating in various services to the community.  Visit the York-Poquoson Virginia Cooperative Extension website for details and to register. 
 
Additional Notes for the Week…..Monday, June 28 is the deadline to register for the Senior Center’s Patriotic Trivia and Birthday Bash. These programs are for seniors ages 55 and up. Call the Center at 890-3444 to register or for more details.     A Pfizer vaccination clinic is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday (6/28) at Charles Brown Park, 1950 Old Williamsburg Road, Yorktown. First and second doses are available at no cost and no advance sign-up is required.    Surry Power Station is holding a siren test on Wednesday, June 30 at 11:10 a.m. to ensure the system is working properly following the station’s June 9 test when the siren failed to sound. Dominion Energy believes it has identified and fixed the problem.

Citizen News Weekly is compiled and published by York County Public Affairs each Friday to share news and events with our citizens and neighbors. This weekly newsletter is placed on our website and delivered directly to your inbox. Questions? Contact Gail Whittaker, Public Information Officer: (757) 890-3310 or whittgl@yorkcounty.gov.