Before you head out for fireworks on the fourth, spend the afternoon at the Valley Forge 4th of July Community Picnic in the Park from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. All the free family fun will take place at the Visitor Center main entrance and lawn of Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Grab your picnic blanket (and picnic basket if you choose) and enjoy an All-American cookout with hot dogs and burgers, history reenactments, kids’ games, and live music from Scott Entertainment.
Founding Father Thomas Jefferson will be reciting from the Declaration of Independence at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and visitors can add their John Hancocks to it following the reading.
History reenactments will take place at the Muhlenberg Brigade huts from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Revolutionary War artillery demonstrations will go off at 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
Listen to tales about the Valley Forge Encampment and pivotal events in the American Revolution from 11:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center, Varnum’s Quarters, and Washington’s Headquarters.
Take a 90-minute guided trolley tour throughout the park, which leaves from the front of the Welcome Center and stops at the Muhlenberg Brigade and Washington’s Headquarters. Tours depart at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. and cost $16.00 for adults; $13.00 for students, seniors and active military; and $8.00 for children 11-years-old and under.
You can also tour the park by foot; park rangers will be leading a 40-minute interpretive walk from the Theater building to the Muhlenberg Brigade huts (about a quarter mile) at 11:20 a.m., 1:20 p.m., and 3:20 p.m.
If you’d like to view the entire park and day’s events by bike, Valley Forge Bike Rental will be offering hourly bike rentals for adults and kids from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the lower parking lot.
The Valley Forge 4th of July Community Picnic in the Park is proudly sponsored by The Friends of Valley Forge Park and PA Eats. This year, skip the shore and traffic and spend your 4th of July surrounded by history and the natural beauty of Valley Forge National Historical Park’s 3,500 acres.
