Looks Like we’re making another list – this one not as
Looks Like we’re making another list – this one not as bad/weird as others.
Parade Magazine (via Wallet Hub) has ranked cities across the nation for ‘best’ and ‘worst’ to celebrate our nation’s birth, and Richmond made the top of the chart.
A number of factors (14 to be exact) played a role in the distinction, but specifically spending was a big part. So it seems Richmond’s low cost of food and entertainment, plus our forecast, played a role.
More details from WalletHub:
In 2014, WalletHub projects Fourth of July spending to be around $330 on average, which is about 10 percent higher than in 2013 and 72 percent higher than 2012. That’s unsurprising given the economic recovery. And because Fourth of July falls on a Friday this year, an estimated 41 percent of people are expected to combine a weekend getaway compared with just 31 percent in 2013.
You can take a look at their interactive map of “best cities for the 4th” below:
Price of a 3-Star Hotel, Number of Bars & Restaurants, Walkability, Legality of Fireworks, and Basketball Hoops per Capita all helped carve RVA out as the winner.
In case you’re wondering, Durham, North Carolina made the bottom of the list.
Richmond’s now-famous fireworks (at least some of them) are a project of Venture Richmond, a familiar face and frequent contributor to things–we-like–in-RVA.
This year’s explosions in the sky will take place on July 3rd (heads up) at Brown’s Island. Here’s some additional details via Venture:
RVA Fireworks on the James is a FREE “Patriotic Family Fun” event that will feature performances by SPARC (School of Performing Arts in the Richmond Community), the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Richmond Ballet’s “Minds in Motion,” and the Latin Ballet of Virginia.
Food Vendors will be on Brown’s Island and the public is invited to bring a picnic (alcohol and pets not permitted) and a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy music simulcast on WRIR-FM, 97.3 during the evening and see the state’s largest fireworks show, a World Class program designed and fired by the Gruccis of New York, the “Top Name in Fireworks Entertainment in the World.” Grucci fireworks is family owned, headquartered on Long Island, New York, with production and distribution facilities in Radford, Virginia.
So yea, We’re number one for honoring our country and blowing stuff up on the cheap.
