The City of Falls Church wishes residents a safe and healthy Independence Day. Remember that you are always Safer at Home, but if you must go out, wear a mask and stay socially distant from people not in your household.

City Government Closures

The following City of Falls Church offices services will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2020 in observation of Independence Day:

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• City Hall and all government offices (including the Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer’s Office, and Permits Counter)
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• Curbside Pick-Up from the Mary Riley Styles Public Library will not be available Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, July 3-5.
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• Summer Fun Camp through Recreation and Parks will not occur on Friday, July 3.
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• The Library and Community Center are already closed to the public due to COVID-19.

 Historic Scavenger Hunt, Hosted by the Recreation and Parks Department

The City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department has organized a Historic Scavenger Hunt around parks and landmarks throughout The Little City.

Use the clues provided to identify each park or historic landmark. Once you’ve figure out the clues, then it’s time to visit the parks and landmarks! At each stop, you’ll find a kiosk or sign with a corresponding letter. Unscramble the letters from the nine clues and you’ll crack the code word and win a Historic Scavenger Hunt t-shirt!

You can download this form to track the code word or if you don’t have a printer you can make your own form at home. Send us your completed form - including the letters and unscrambled code word - along with your contact information and t-shirt sizes by email to events@fallschurchva.gov by Sunday, July 5, 2020 to be eligible to win a t-shirt. You can either send us a picture or scan of the form. If you don’t have access to a smartphone or scanner, email us anyway and we’ll figure something out.

Fireworks Prohibited in the City

The City of Falls Church Fire Official reminds residents that it is unlawful for any person to store, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, use or explode any fireworks (including sparklers) within the City limits. All fireworks found in the City are subject to seizure. The above offenses are Class One misdemeanors in the City. Fireworks violations may be reported to the City of Falls Church Police Department at 703-241-5053 (TTY 711).

Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death. According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, every Fourth of July, thousands of people (most often children and teens) are injured while using consumer fireworks.

The NFPA states that fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires in 2018, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 17,100 outside and other fires. These fires caused five deaths, 46 civilian injuries, and $105 million in direct property damage.  

The NFPA also reports that in 2018, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,100 people for fireworks related injuries; half of those injuries were to the extremities and 34% were to the eye or other parts of the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for more than one-third (36%) of the estimated 2018 injuries.

Please be safe this Independence Day.