America. Made in Virginia.
Fourth at the Fort
Kicking off America’s 250th Year
On July 4, 2025, the American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) alongside The Fort Monroe Authority, the Hampton VA250 Local Committee, and the National Park Service hosted Fourth at the Fort, an all-day Independence Day event that kicked off America’s 250th year.
The deeply historical Fort Monroe location set the stage for a powerful and fun-filled event that welcomed over 24,000 attendees from 43 Virginia localities and 15 states! Watch the video to be inspired by the day’s events.
The day was chock-full of wonderful moments – from the Naturalization Ceremony that welcomed nearly 100 new citizens, to the all-day Out of Many, One Festival that truly had something for everyone and every taste, to the culmination of the day’s events with the Grand Ceremony and fireworks show – see more details below.
A Welcome to New Citizens
The celebration began with a moving tribute to our nation’s ideals during the Naturalization Ceremony. A civic milestone honoring nearly 100 new U.S. citizens from around the world. The day opened with the Eagle Staff Posting and Flag Song, led with reverence by members of Virginia’s Tribal Nations and the Lone Eagle Singers. During the Call of Countries, these individuals were recognized for their journey to citizenship.
Speaking on the meaning of the moment was Scott Martin, Executive Director of the Fort Monroe Authority; Alison McNealy, Norfolk Field Office Director for USCIS; Attorney General of Virginia, Jason S. Miyares; Cheryl Wilson, Executive Director of VA250, and Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin.
A Festival of Unity: Out of Many, One.
VA250 Vice Chair, Senator Mamie Locke
Kicking off the year of commemoration of America’s 250th birthday at Fort Monroe, known as “Freedom’s Fortress”, had special significance. On the very land where the first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619 and where the Civil War’s “Contraband of War” decision set the stage for the Emancipation Proclamation, we gathered to honor the past and look to the future. The afternoon activities had something for everyone – with a panel discussion featuring Dr. Anthony Parent Jr., energizing drum performances, exhibits from museums and cultural organizations including the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience, and of course local food trucks, and craft beer from across Virginia.
At the Freedom of Expressions stage, a panel discussion brought powerful voices together to explore the global roots of liberty, democracy, and revolutionary thought in early America. Hosted by Eola Dance, VA250 Senior Advisor, this conversation featured dynamic insights from Dr. Anthony Parent Jr., Professor Emeritus at Wake Forest University; Regie Tupponce, Senior Advisor with the VA250 Tribal Nations Leadership Advisory Council; and Shakia Gullette Warren, Executive Director of the Black History and Culture Center of Virginia.
The Great American Birthday Quilt
The Great American Birthday Quilt began to take shape right here at Fort Monroe as guests designed some of the first pieces of artwork to add to America’s Birthday Quilt commemorating the 250th. Led by renowned art evangelist Steve Prince, Director of Engagement and Distinguished Artist in Residence at the Muscarelle Museum of Art at William and Mary, the completed quilt will be unveiled at Colonial Williamsburg on July 4th of 2026.
A Call to the Youth of Virginia
History isn’t static. We’re still making it everyday as we strive to build a more perfect union. Young leaders whose art and writing inspired all of us through their Expressions of Freedom were on hand, while even younger future leaders worked hands-on with James Madison to build their own Declarations of Independence.
A Powerful Tribute to America’s 250th Year
Set against the backdrop of history at Fort Monroe, the Free to Dream Grand Ceremony wove together music, movement, spoken word, and reflection.
The program opened with powerful patriotic performances with a percussion tribute titled the “Heartbeat of Freedom” that featured the musical traditions of Indigenous drums, West African rhythms, and 18th century colonial marches. Two new musical works debuted included “Made in Virginia” and “A More Perfect Union.”
This ceremony also included a flyover by the U.S. Air Force, reading of excerpts of the Declaration of Independence by Virginia student leaders, a Sister Cities salute from Hampton’s sister city in Malanje, Angola.
Speakers included Master of Ceremonies, Geoff Bennett, co-anchor of PBS NewsHour; Cheryl Wilson; Virginia Senator Mamie E. Locke, Vice Chair of VA250; Dr. Anthony Parent, and Mayor of Hampton Jimmy Gray. Keynote speaker and VA250 National Honorary Chair, Carly Fiorina reminded the crowd that the Semiquincentennial movement is about reconnection to our shared history and was a call to reflect, remember, and rise to the promise of a more perfect union.
A Star Spangled Finale
The evening closed with a dazzling drone and fireworks show synchronized to an original score by the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band.
It was an unforgettable finale to a night 250 years in the making that has to be seen to be believed.
If you’re one of the hundreds of people who purchased an America Made In Virginia Fourth at the Fort commemorative tee-shirt, thanks for making us look good. Our message looks best when Virginians like you are part of the story. If you missed the merch tent, here’s your second chance to show your support of Virginia’s celebration of 250 years of building a more perfect union. Check out the commemorative shirt and other merchandise at store.va250.org or click the button below.
