AVOCA 250: LIGHTS, LIBERTY, & LEGENDS

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Join us for this one-time special event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary!

Thursday, July 9 - Sunday, July 12, 2026

Full event schedule, and parking directions below!

FAQs click here!

Set against the historic grounds of Avoca Museum, Avoca 250: Lights, Liberty & Legends is a four-day community celebration honoring 250 years of American history, heritage, and hometown spirit. From live music and fireworks to living history demonstrations, carnival rides, food trucks, and family activities, this special anniversary event will bring the past and present together in the heart of Altavista.

Throughout the weekend, guests can explore immersive Revolutionary-era experiences featuring reenactors, artisans, musicians, and historical interpreters from across Virginia. Saturday’s signature Living History Celebration will highlight stories of early America through blacksmithing, colonial cooking, spinning, pottery, military encampments, educational presentations, and more. Evening festivities will continue with live entertainment, local food and drinks, and a spectacular fireworks finale.

Whether you come for the history, the music, the carnival, or the community atmosphere, Avoca 250 invites visitors of all ages to gather, celebrate, and reflect on the stories that shaped our nation and our region.

Admission to all programming is completely free, making this a celebration for the entire community to enjoy together.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES FEATURING:

Living History Celebration

  • Revolutionary War encampment

  • Blacksmithing, pottery, spinning, and colonial cooking

  • Colonial music and Quaker life demonstrations

  • Rifle and cannon demonstrations

  • Presentations on the lives of enslaved individuals and Native Americans during the Revolutionary era

  • Virginia Statewide 250 Mobile Museum

  • Special appearances portraying Colonel Charles Lynch and Penelope Lynch

  • Official launch and signing of the first biography of Colonel Charles Lynch

  • Preview of the upcoming Charles Lynch documentary

(Detailed program schedule posted under parking section)

Carnival by Cole Amusements

CLICK HERE FOR PRESALE CARNIVAL TICKETS

  • Thursday, Friday, Sunday | 6-10 PM

  • Saturday | 4-10 PM

Live Music

  • Friday | 6-9 PM Say No More

  • Saturday | 4-7 PM The Pete Turpin Band

  • Saturday | 7-9 PM Landslide

Food & Drink

  • Friday | 6-9 PM

    • Love + Umami

    • Slow Smoke Bistro

    • Draft Beer Truck, Danville Distributing

  • Saturday | 5-9 PM

    • The Harvest Hut

    • Slow Smoke Bistro

    • Thai Naka Express

    • Draft Beer Truck, Danville Distributing

Firework Finale!

  • Saturday | 9:15 PM

  • Live Music Opening

Parking & Transportation

Thursday, Friday, Sunday (July 9–10, 12)

  • Parking is available in the field adjacent to the Avoca Arboretum.

  • Please enter through the Arboretum entrance and follow parking attendants.

Saturday (July 11)

  • Main Parking: Avoca Arboretum Field

  • Additional Parking: Town & Country Shopping Center

Complimentary Shuttle (Saturday Only)

  • Runs from 5:00–10:30 PM

  • Departs from Town & Country approximately every 20 minutes

  • Shuttle is wheelchair accessible

  • Storage available for wheelchairs, strollers, wagons, and similar mobility equipment

ADA Parking & Drop-Off

  • ADA drop-off is located at the shuttle drop-off area.

  • Limited ADA parking is available near the Arboretum entrance.

Living History Program

  • 11:00 AM MAIN STAGE: Event Opening

    • Dr. Scott Lowman, Altavista Town Councilman

    • Sons of the American Revolution Ceremony

  • 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM ARBORETUM: VA 250 Mobile Museum

  • 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM. 3:30 PM: Historic 1901 House Tours

    • $10 Ticket for purchase in Avoca Gift Shop

  • 11:30 AM MAIN STAGE: Colonel Lynch Project Announcement & Panel Discussion

    • Wyatt Golden, Dr. Samuel Smith, and Jonathan Parker

  • 12:00 PM CABIN: "Resolved to Live & Die" Documentary Screening

  • 12:15 PM MAIN STAGE Presentations

    • Colonel Charles Lynch portrayed by Toby Williamson

    • Benjamin Clement portrayed by Clarke Scott

  • 12:30 PM: Fincastle Company Firing Demonstration of Rifles and Swivel Cannon

  • 12:45 PM MAIN STAGE: Presentations

    • Robert Roberts portrayed by Curtis Crews

    • Penelope Lynch portrayed by Janice Poole

    • Frederick Douglass portrayed by Christopher Evans

    • Central Appalachian Cherokee Presentation by Ren Herdman

  • 2:00 PM CABIN: "Resolved to Live & Die" Documentary Screening

  • 2:15 PM DJ STAND: Traditional Flute Performance by Steve "Cheveyo" Grey

  • 2:30 PM: Fincastle Company Firing Demonstration of Rifles and Swivel Cannon

  • 3:15 PM MAIN STAGE: Guilford Courthouse Fife and Drum

  • 4:00 PM MAIN STAGE: Event Closing