The much-anticipated July 4 weekend is here. Events across Gloucester and Mathews will join the nation in celebrating its 250th birthday. Here is a lineup of what has been planned. Thursday, July 2 The musical play “Crickets on a Hill” debuts for its 2026 set of performances tonight, Thursday, July 2. Six performances by the Court House Players are planned of this musical, written for the 1976 Bicentennial by Judy Ward and updated: Thursday and Friday, July 2 and 3, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, July 5, at 3 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m. All performances will be in the Harry M. Ward Auditorium at Mathews High School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, available online at courthouseplayers.org/crickets-2026 and at the door. Friday, July 3 Celebrate Independence Day, Fairfield Foundation, will be an all-day celebration of history and discovery at Fairfield Archaeology Park, 5777 Fairfield Lane, Hayes. See related story in this issu...