July is the awakening of fireflies as they dance through the sky at dusk. The season of porch-sitting has officially arrived and the weather is glorious in the morning for sipping a cup of coffee outside or taking a glass of pre-dinner wine during sunset.

It’s the month that epitomizes summer. Kids are out of school (whether school starts late or early, it doesn’t intercede during this month), which means parents get more of the morning to themselves. And, rather than having to hustle the kids out of bed and into clothes for the day, adults can savor a few more moments of quiet. It’s a month for splashing in the pool and napping through the heat of the day. A month of adventures and traveling to new places for new experiences.

July is vacation time. People from the northern states are ready to venture south for warmer weather and southerners are looking to escape north or into the mountains for a slightly cooler version of summer. Both merge perfectly in the Shenandoah Valley with our seasonally warm temperatures and the buffer of the mountains’ elevations allowing for cooler mornings and evenings.

Beyond porch-sitting and savoring the summery temperatures, July’s warmth also makes it a great month for swimming and water activities. The Shenandoah River is booming with locals and visitors looking to spend a relaxing day floating with the current and stopping to swim and immerse themselves in the cooler water. The Hawksbill Recreation Park & Pool is also open! With this year’s new addition of night swims, stay late and enjoy the pool for longer hours with the themed events.

Our towns are in full-swing for their yearly events. For those looking to celebrate Independence Day in Luray-Page, the Town of Luray is hosting their annual 4th of July on the Hawksbill Greenway. Geared toward families and people of all ages, the town hosts more than just fireworks at dusk, they have lots of activities from 5:00-9:00 PM including a rock climbing wall, barrel train rides, carnival games, face painting, moon bounces, and meltdown, an inflatable obstacle. Moreover, there is a duck race at 8:00 PM and a variety of food vendors and non-profits descend on the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative/Greenway’s shared parking lot with lots of delicious food and goodies to keep your who group entertained. The town’s Parks & Rec department will also be hosting Canaveral for live music throughout the event. It’s truly an event to come be a kid again; join the locals and other visitors and get caught up in the meaning of the holiday and the awe of the fireworks show.

If you have no interest in the kids activities, but are looking for a good view of the fireworks, the Performing Arts Luray will have live music from Thundergun on their plaza. Classic rock and access to their cash bar known as “the Vault,” makes this event a huge draw. While no outside beverages are allowed, attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and their favorite eats to enjoy the event to its fullest.

Right around this time, the Town of Stanley is also hosting their 52nd Annual Stanley Homecoming at Ed Good Memorial Park. From Wednesday, July 4th-Saturday, July 7th, play at the carnival, enjoy a variety of live bands, and of course the must-see of the event is the Saturday evening parade and fireworks. Wednesday kicks off with the annual pageant (with two new age groups: Ms. – ages 22-35 & Elegant Ms. – ages 36 and up) local talent at the “I’ve Got A Voice” competition as the participants compete for recording time. On Saturday, locals, natives, guests, and visitors will line Main Street in Stanley to watch as the Page County Baseball and Softball teams – the reigning state champions – lead the cars, trucks, bands, and floats. From musical presentations to candy, glow sticks, and more, the entrants entertain watchers-on before the finale of the “I’ve Got A Voice” competition, live music, and fireworks display.

Moving past the beginning of the month, the towns, county, and local businesses and organizations offer a variety of additional events including more live music, theater, racing, animal shows, and more. The best way to keep up with all the events is on our website’s community calendar, which is updated on an almost daily basis.

As always, we love seeing new and returning faces in Luray-Page. We sincerely hope to see you along our main streets, shopping our downtowns, and breathing in the fresh country air this month!

All the Best,

Katie Long
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center