Patriotism runs deep in Western North Carolina, and communities throughout the region know how to celebrate the nation's birthday. From Brevard to Bryson City and Marion to Maggie Valley, parties, parades and fireworks are all planned to mark the Fourth of July holiday.
The city of Asheville's Independence Day celebration has been moved to Sunday at Memorial Stadium, just above McCormick Field. The free family festivities start at 4 p.m. and conclude with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
A 2009 pyrotechnic explosion that killed four people on Ocracoke Island has led to stricter state rules, which made it impossible for Asheville to use its past staging area in a city-owned parking lot off Charlotte Street. The event is expected to be held in Pack Square Park in 2012.
This year's activities include games, rides, music and patriotic tributes, along with food, beer and soft drinks for sale. People may park as if attending a Tourists game, says Diane Ruggiero, the city's superintendent of cultural arts. Because the event is on a Sunday, the public works parking lots off South Charlotte and Eagle streets along with the City Hall lots on Marjorie Street will also be available, Ruggiero said.
On Monday, Brevard hosts its daylong celebration, beginning with a 5K/10K run at 8 a.m. followed by multiple music and entertainment events and culminating with 9:30 p.m. fireworks hosted by Brevard College.
“Celebrating Fourth of July in downtown Brevard is a great way to re-connect to old-fashioned, hometown spirit,” says Madrid Zimmerman, executive director of the Heart of Brevard. “Classic cars, kids decorating bicycles and the reading of the Declaration of Independence allow us to take a break from our hectic lifestyles and enjoy activities that remind us of how grateful we are that with family and friends we can enjoy such privileges in America.”
Here's a brief rundown of some of the many festivities around WNC:
MAGGIE VALLEY: Red White and Boom Festival today-Monday at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, Soco Road. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Sunday.www.maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.org
MORGANTON: Red, White and Bluegrass Festival today-Monday, Catawba Meadows Park, 701 Sandford Drive. On Monday, Ricky Skaggs plus fireworks. www.redwhiteandbluegrassfestival.com.
HENDERSONVILLE: Fireworks Celebration Concert 7:30-10 p.m. Sunday at the Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St. Fireworks at sundown. www.historichendersonville.org.
LAKE JUNALUSKA: The Junaluska Singers perform at 7:30 p.m. in Stuart Auditorium. $15, $6 ages 8 and younger.www.lakejunaluska.com/singers
WEBSTER: Miss Lucy's Picnic, potluck meal with music by the Deitz Family, 4 p.m. at Miss Lucy's House, now the Henderson House. Bring dish to share, chairs. Drinks, plates, silverware provided.
BARDNARDSVILLE: Celebration at the Big Ivy Community Center with food, entertainment, crafts, swimming, fireworks at dark.
BEECH COMMUNITY: The 127th Fourth of July celebration happens at the Beech Community Center off Reems Creek Road, with a 10 a.m. parade, 11 a.m. program, and a covered-dish dinner at noon.
BLACK MOUNTAIN: Celebration with street dancing, food, fireworks. Free. Call 419-9300, ext. 687. White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Road, hosts a concert by the Blue Ridge Orchestra with mezzo soprano Amanda Gardner-Porter at 7:30 p.m. $15.
BREVARD: Daylong celebration includes Firecracker 5K/10K race, pet show, arts and crafts showcase, classic car show, bicycle parade, flag-raising, reading of the Declaration of Independence, hot dog eating contest, and fireworks at Brevard College at 9:30 p.m.http://brevardnc.org/july-4th-celebration/
BRYSON CITY: Fourth of July Freedom Fest includes two stages of entertainment with fireworks at 10 p.m. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will run a dinner train with view of the fireworks.www.gsmr.com.
CHEROKEE: Fireworks at dark at Acquoni Expo Center, 1501 Acquoni Road.
COLUMBUS: The 49th annual Fabulous Fourth celebration happens 10 a.m.-10 p.m. with fireworks.
DILLSBORO: Music, fun, fireworks at dark in downtown Dillsboro.
FRANKLIN: Downtown parade at 10 a.m., entertainment at 3 p.m. and fireworks at dark.
FONTANA VILLAGE RESORT: Big fireworks show at 10 p.m. ends a week of activities.
HENDERSONVILLE: Independence Day Parade, Main Street, 11 a.m.
LAKE JUNALUSKA: Activities 11 a.m.-3 p.m. include a parade and music. The Junaluska Singers perform at 7:30 p.m. in Stuart Auditorium, www.lakejunaluska.com/singers. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
LEICSTER: Celebration at 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Leicester Community Center. Music by Undying Love, Pethel Sisters, N.C. 63 Band. Hamburger and hot dog lunch $5.
MARION: Parade at 6 p.m., street dance at 7 p.m., and fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
MARS HILL: Fireworks at dark.
MONTREAT: Parade at 10:30 a.m. headed by Grand Marshals Glenn and Evelyn Bannerman, flag raising at Anderson Auditorium, celebration continues through the day, street dance at 7 pm. Outside Dowd Tennis Courts, or The Barn if it rains. www.montreat.org.
WAYNESVILLE: Stars & Stripes Celebration 11 a.m.-3 p.m. along Main Street.
The city of Asheville's Independence Day celebration has been moved to Sunday at Memorial Stadium, just above McCormick Field. The free family festivities start at 4 p.m. and conclude with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
A 2009 pyrotechnic explosion that killed four people on Ocracoke Island has led to stricter state rules, which made it impossible for Asheville to use its past staging area in a city-owned parking lot off Charlotte Street. The event is expected to be held in Pack Square Park in 2012.
This year's activities include games, rides, music and patriotic tributes, along with food, beer and soft drinks for sale. People may park as if attending a Tourists game, says Diane Ruggiero, the city's superintendent of cultural arts. Because the event is on a Sunday, the public works parking lots off South Charlotte and Eagle streets along with the City Hall lots on Marjorie Street will also be available, Ruggiero said.
On Monday, Brevard hosts its daylong celebration, beginning with a 5K/10K run at 8 a.m. followed by multiple music and entertainment events and culminating with 9:30 p.m. fireworks hosted by Brevard College.
“Celebrating Fourth of July in downtown Brevard is a great way to re-connect to old-fashioned, hometown spirit,” says Madrid Zimmerman, executive director of the Heart of Brevard. “Classic cars, kids decorating bicycles and the reading of the Declaration of Independence allow us to take a break from our hectic lifestyles and enjoy activities that remind us of how grateful we are that with family and friends we can enjoy such privileges in America.”
Here's a brief rundown of some of the many festivities around WNC:
Today
FONTANA DAM: Celebrations runs Friday-Monday with live music on stage each night at Fontana Village Resort. Activities include hikes, ghost tours, water games and a Monday Independence Day barbecue feast. Fireworks at 10 p.m. at the center of the village.MAGGIE VALLEY: Red White and Boom Festival today-Monday at Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, Soco Road. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. Sunday.www.maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.org
MORGANTON: Red, White and Bluegrass Festival today-Monday, Catawba Meadows Park, 701 Sandford Drive. On Monday, Ricky Skaggs plus fireworks. www.redwhiteandbluegrassfestival.com.
Sunday
ASHEVILLE: Starting at 4 p.m. in Memorial Stadium, free face painting, games, music, a patriotic tribute by Sons of the American Revolution and fireworks at dark. 259-5800 or www.ashevillenc.gov.HENDERSONVILLE: Fireworks Celebration Concert 7:30-10 p.m. Sunday at the Visitors Information Center, 201 S. Main St. Fireworks at sundown. www.historichendersonville.org.
WEBSTER: Miss Lucy's Picnic, potluck meal with music by the Deitz Family, 4 p.m. at Miss Lucy's House, now the Henderson House. Bring dish to share, chairs. Drinks, plates, silverware provided.
Monday
ASHEVILLE: At Lake Julian Park, the annual fireworks show begins at dark. Bring lawn chair and blanket. Park at Estes Elementary School across Long Shoals Road. www.buncombecounty.org. The Asheville Tourists host the Greenville (S.C.) Drive at 7:05 p.m. followed by fireworks. There's another game with the Drive and fireworks show at 7:05 p.m. July 5. www.theashevilletourists.com.BARDNARDSVILLE: Celebration at the Big Ivy Community Center with food, entertainment, crafts, swimming, fireworks at dark.
BEECH COMMUNITY: The 127th Fourth of July celebration happens at the Beech Community Center off Reems Creek Road, with a 10 a.m. parade, 11 a.m. program, and a covered-dish dinner at noon.
BLACK MOUNTAIN: Celebration with street dancing, food, fireworks. Free. Call 419-9300, ext. 687. White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Road, hosts a concert by the Blue Ridge Orchestra with mezzo soprano Amanda Gardner-Porter at 7:30 p.m. $15.
BREVARD: Daylong celebration includes Firecracker 5K/10K race, pet show, arts and crafts showcase, classic car show, bicycle parade, flag-raising, reading of the Declaration of Independence, hot dog eating contest, and fireworks at Brevard College at 9:30 p.m.http://brevardnc.org/july-4th-celebration/
BRYSON CITY: Fourth of July Freedom Fest includes two stages of entertainment with fireworks at 10 p.m. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will run a dinner train with view of the fireworks.www.gsmr.com.
CHEROKEE: Fireworks at dark at Acquoni Expo Center, 1501 Acquoni Road.
COLUMBUS: The 49th annual Fabulous Fourth celebration happens 10 a.m.-10 p.m. with fireworks.
DILLSBORO: Music, fun, fireworks at dark in downtown Dillsboro.
FRANKLIN: Downtown parade at 10 a.m., entertainment at 3 p.m. and fireworks at dark.
FONTANA VILLAGE RESORT: Big fireworks show at 10 p.m. ends a week of activities.
HENDERSONVILLE: Independence Day Parade, Main Street, 11 a.m.
LAKE JUNALUSKA: Activities 11 a.m.-3 p.m. include a parade and music. The Junaluska Singers perform at 7:30 p.m. in Stuart Auditorium, www.lakejunaluska.com/singers. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
LEICSTER: Celebration at 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Leicester Community Center. Music by Undying Love, Pethel Sisters, N.C. 63 Band. Hamburger and hot dog lunch $5.
MARION: Parade at 6 p.m., street dance at 7 p.m., and fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
MARS HILL: Fireworks at dark.
MONTREAT: Parade at 10:30 a.m. headed by Grand Marshals Glenn and Evelyn Bannerman, flag raising at Anderson Auditorium, celebration continues through the day, street dance at 7 pm. Outside Dowd Tennis Courts, or The Barn if it rains. www.montreat.org.
WAYNESVILLE: Stars & Stripes Celebration 11 a.m.-3 p.m. along Main Street.
