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4thofjulypagebanner

This 4th of July, the City of Newport News invites residents to “celebrate together, at home,” with festive at home celebrations, interactive activities, and special “Light up the City” illuminations for our Nation’s birthday. These activities will replace our usual 4th of July Stars in the Sky event and fireworks celebration this year.

Click here for additional info…https://www.nnva.gov/2579/4th-of-July-2020

July 3rd activities

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We are still looking for more biathlon contestants as well as volunteers to assist…you can sign up below:

5-8pm — DJ in the Park: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the shaded canopy of VGCA Park while listening to music and getting active with the DJ. Also cheer on our contestants for the biathlons — the kids love the support.

5:45pm — Junior Biathlon athletes arrive.

6:15pm — Biathlon athletes arrive.

4th of July Events

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FRIDAY, JULY 3rd

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. DJ IN THE PARK: VGCA has brought back Anthony Lee Wood Entertainment to kick off the July 4th weekend. He will provide family friendly DJ services as well as help MC our 4th of July Biathlons (junior and regular). Bring you own dinner/snack and come on out and enjoy a fun filled evening with your family and route on our biathlon contestants.

6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. JUNIOR BIATHALON AND BIATHLON: A spirited race around VG with your family and friends.  The Junior Biathlon consists of a 50m swim and a ¼ mile run around the park for children 8yrs and under. The Biathlon consists of a 250m swim and a 1.1 mile run for all ages and skill levels.  Either go it alone or team up with someone.

Saturday, JULY 4th

9:00 a.m. DECORATE THE PARK: Come on out and help dress up the park for the day’s activities. Set up tables and attach festive decorations. Claim your spot on the grounds! A great way to get into the spirit and help make the park look right for the occasion.

10:00 a.m. UNCLE SAM’S BIKE PARADE: Fun for all!! Decorate your bikes and yourselves in your most patriotic colors and join in as we parade around the Green. The parade will be led by OUR local fire department, workload permitting.  Neighbors, rest on your porch and cheer us on as we pass by.  Participants gather at the clubhouse at 9:50 a.m.

10:45 a.m. NATIONAL ANTHEM: We will honor America and our flag with the playing of the National Anthem.

12:00 p.m. PICNIC IN THE PARK: Bring your favorite foods and enjoy a picnic with your neighbors!

1:00 p.m. POOL IS OPEN FOR VGCA REC MEMBERS ONLY: Due to Phase 3 restrictions and limited number of lifeguards, we will only allow VGCA REC Members to use the pool this July 4th. It’s never to late to support our neighborhood and become a pool member at https://vgnn.org/join.

8:00 p.m. MOVIE IN THE PARK: We will present a family movie (Frozen 2) in the park to bring the 4th of July to a close. Bring your own chair and popcorn. VGCA will provide a frozen treat.

Movie in the Park on July 4

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VGCA is sponsoring another movie in the park and will be presenting Frozen 2 beginning at 8pm. Please bring chairs and blankets and enjoy a frozen treat from VGCA and bring the 4th of July celebrations to a close.

DJ in the Park to kick off the celebration

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VGCA has brought back Anthony Lee Wood Entertainment to kick off the July 4th weekend. He will be here on Friday, July 3 5-8pm. He will provide family friendly DJ services as well as help MC our 4th of July Biathlons (junior and regular). Bring you own dinner/snack and come on out and enjoy a fun filled evening with your family. This is a VGCA sponsored event, so please consider joining to help support events like this as well as take care of VGCA property.

There will be a “tip jar” for the DJ if you would like to contribute.

Tuesday is the last day pool reservations will be required

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With Phase 3 starting on Wednesday July 1st, Tuesday is our last day that requires reservations.

Please remember, a VGCA Rec Membership and an online reservation is required to enter the pool.

Also, please be neighborly and give others a chance to reserve a time slot for the Shallow End Swim Lanes and the Baby Pool. My suggestion is not to book multiple time slots for the same day ahead of time (only choose one). If you are up at the pool and want to extend you time slot and the next 2 hour window is available, book it on your phone at that time. It’s quite easy.

I plan to post the reservation slots for this coming week sometime this evening…probably after 9pm.

Phase 3 starts Wednesday, July 1

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NOTE: Phase 3 starts July 1st.

The Governor has released Phase 3 Guidelines and swimming pool relevant can be found beginning on page 20 located here. We will continue to follow all local and State orders with regards to operating our pool and will consider all recommendations on pool operations provided by the CDC. We worked closely with our pool inspector for the Peninsula Health Department as we opened and put measures in place to stay within the requirements/limitations for Phase 2. Here are the changes/requirements for the VGCA Pool when Phase 3 starts on July 1st:

  • Pool patrons should clean chairs and tables before and after use. Disinfectant solution is located on the ledge on the clubhouse exterior and paper towels are located in the restrooms.
  • Patrons must answer the following truthfully and to the best of their ability prior to being allowed in the pool area:Do you have any of the following?
    • A fever (100.4 or higher) OR a sense of a fever, now or within the past 24 hours.
    • Shortness of breath or cough.
    • Chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or other flu-like symptoms
    • Are you ill or caring for someone who is ill?
    • In the past 2 weeks have you been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 or have you or a household member visited a high risk area where COVID-19 is spreading?
  • No longer require an online registration.
  • Patrons not in the same household must maintain 10ft of physical distancing on deck as well as in the pool.
  • A maximum of 106 people are allowed in the pool (75% of our 142 swimmer capacity).
  • Free swim is allowed with 10ft of physical distancing.
  • Temporary swim lanes in shallow end are no longer required.
  • Floats, pool toys, etc… are allowed based on established VGCA pool rules.
  • Diving board and the deep end can be used as normal based on established VGCA pool rules. While waiting to dive, a physical distance of 10ft per diver (not in the same household) must be maintained which is marked by an X on the concrete.
  • Seating and physical distancing for pool patrons (not in the same household) will stay at 10ft.
  • 10ft of physical distancing should be done on pool deck AND in the pool.
  • A few more tables and chairs will be put out.
  • Cleaning/disinfecting all high touch points every two hours is required. This includes but is not limited to railings, gates, door knobs, bathroom touch points, and furniture.
  • Patrons that do not follow the mandates of Phase 3 will be asked to leave and upon the 2nd infraction will be referred to the VGCA Board for further action which could lead to revoking of pool privileges.
  • Patrons are not required to wear face coverings/masks while on deck but it is encouraged. Patrons must not wear face coverings/masks while in the pool.
  • Lifeguards and other pool volunteers are required to wear masks while on deck in customer facing situations. Lifeguards are not required to wear masks while in the lifeguard stand.
  • Only one person in a bathroom at at time.
  • Hand sanitizer stations have been provided. Please use one pump per sanitizing.
  • Showers are required before entering the pool.
  • CDC designed signage with regards to COVID-19 has been posted.

As things continue to change in Virginia, the VGCA Board will review and make the appropriate decisions on restrictions/practices we have in place.

Please consider becoming a member and for those already a member…ENJOY our pool and continue to be safe!