Dancing in the dark to the music of Ocho de Bastos. Photo: Bill Douthitt 
At dusk, hundreds of light sticks gave Cherry Hill Park a magical feel. Photo: Karen Kasmauski 
Gathering around the music stage as the evening continued. Photo: Karen Kasmauski 
The VPIS booth offered football tossing and plastic axe-throwing–both popular. Photo: Bill Douthitt 
Representatives of many Falls Church groups offered information on their activities. Photo: Bill Douthitt 
the moon bounce house and other attractions were popular draws. Photo: Bill Douthitt
Civic Jam Celebration Brightens Falls Church
After being postponed because of July 3 high temperatures, the July 24 evening celebration of Civic Jam drew hundreds to Cherry Hill park for a lively evening of music. As darkness fell, the City distributed hundreds of nightsticks, giving the Park a magical feel as many danced and kept time to the infectious music of Latin pop band Ocho de Bastos. Civic Jam is part of the City of Falls Church’s celebration of our diverse community and civic engagement during the country’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776,
A Special 250th Anniversary Celebration at The Falls Church
Walking up the flag-lined entrance to the historic Falls Church as the event gets underway. Photo: Bill Douthitt 
VPIS members welcome visitors to the Remembrance and explain the program. Photo: Bill Douthitt 
A record audience filled nearly every seat in the historic Falls Church, Photo: Karen Kasmauski 
Historian Charlie Lord moderated the event, providing context for readings of the historic documents. Photo: Karen Kasmauski 
Attendees took turns reading from the Declaration of Independence and other documents of the nation’s founding. Photo: Karen Kasmauski 
On arriving at the church, attendees sign a copy of the documents read during the ceremony. Photo: Karen Kasmauski 
After the event, VPIS served lemonade and ice cream outside the church. Photo: Bill Douthitt 
Daughters of the American Revolution planted a tree on church grounds at close of the event. Photo: Bill Douthitt
Tours of the Church began at 10AM. At noon, VPIS hosted the Remembrance. An audience of record size turned out, filling every seat in the historic Falls Church. Noted historian Charlie Lord moderated the ceremony, providing context about history of the years leading up to and immediately after the Declaration. Audience members took turns reading from the Declaration of Independence and other historic documents. Afterword, attendees gathered outside the church, where VPIS members served lemonade and ice-cream on the lawn. A flutist performed beautiful music selections. The event closed with a ceremony by the Daughters of the American Revolution, who planted a tree on the church grounds in honor of the Anniversary.
VPIS is grateful to The Falls Church for continuing to open its doors for our event. The sanctuary was constructed in the 1760s as part of the local Anglican parish, which counted George Washington and George Mason—the drafter of the Virginia Declaration of Rights—as vestrymen. Please join us for an event that celebrates and recommits us to our founding principles. More information on local 250th events is available here.
Our baseline reading materials are found here:https://www.vpis.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/VPIS-Independence-Day-Reading-Booklet.pdf
Reflections at 250
This monthly video series presents on the City’s YouTube Channel. The series highlights the people, places, and stories that shape the City of Falls Church—past, present, and future. Created in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the series features personal reflections from community leaders, residents, and local voices who share what Falls Church means to them and how its history continues to influence our City today.
Each episode offers a unique perspective on our community’s identity, values, and evolving story, celebrating the moments and memories that make Falls Church a place worth honoring.