SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — The sparks will fly for the nation’s independence this week, marked annually in the tri-county region by the peak of tourist season as well. That means however and wherever you celebrate July 4, prepare for larger crowds than normal.
In Southport, hundreds of thousands of people gather over multiple days for concerts, the parade and street fair as part of North Carolina’s official Fourth of July Festival.
Downtown Wilmington is also preparing for its annual symphony event and festival at Riverfront Park, while Surf City, Carolina Beach and Oak Island also have firework blasts on the docket.
Here is a look at what’s happening:
New Hanover County
Carolina Beach Boardwalk BlastGazebo stage and Boardwalk, Carolina Beach • Free
Carolina Beach hosts its free concerts and fireworks show on Thursdays, meaning the fireworks for the Fourth actually takes place July 3.
Free music will be enjoyed at the Carolina Beach Gazebo stage along the Boardwalk from Carl Newton Review, performing R&B and soul. They perform at 6:30 p.m. and will break at 9 p.m. for fireworks over the beach.
City of Wilmington’s 4th of July CelebrationRiverfront Park, 10 Cowan St. • Free
A family-friendly event, the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra is taking the stage at Riverfront Park to perform patriotic tunes and popular tracks ahead of downtown’s fireworks display on July 4.
There also will be kids activities and food, beer and wine sold onsite (no outside food or drinks are allowed, except for a sealed water up to 1 gallon or an empty bottle to refill). The gates open at 5 p.m. and local band Loud Music Company will perform at 6 p.m. before the orchestra takes over at 7:30 p.m. and performs for more than an hour-and-a-half.
The fireworks display over the Cape Fear River kicks off at 9 p.m.
Lawn chairs no taller than 9 inches and blankets are allowed; the venue only accepts debit, credit card and mobile pay apps — no cash.
Onstreet parking is free and city decks — 929 N. Front St., 115 Market St., 114 N. Second St, 14 Grace St. — will be operating, as well as the Wilmington Convention Center deck at 515 Nutt St., and the county deck at 212 N. Second St. There will be a $10 fee in decks after 4 p.m.
Multiple streets will close downtown and surrounding it.
The following streets will close as early as 6 p.m.
These streets will close at 9 p.m.
Hannah Block USO/Community Arts Center Open HouseOrange and Second streets • Free
Annually on Independence Day, the historic Hannah Block Historic USO and Community Arts Center throws it back to the 1940s, with sodas priced 5 cents from the World War II era and free coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnuts served.
There will be WWII exhibits open, including the newest one — a WWII era phone booth complete with vintage phone and Bell Telephone System posters. The building has been restored to its 1943 appearance with reproduction furnishings.
Entertainment will be provided by the Cape Fear Swing Dance Society — known for dancing the Lindy Hop — is hosting a demonstration in the museum lobby. Plus, there will be a free introduction lesson at 2 p.m.A 5-minute documentary, “Home Away From Home – the USO at 2nd and Orange,” produced in 2016 by Emmy nominated filmmaker Rob Hill, will screen throughout the event. It takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 4.
Brunswick County
North Carolina 4th of July FestivalSouthport, various locations • Free
Underway all week long, the state’s official 4th of July Festival actually takes place in Southport, with more than two dozen events planned, from a beach day to 9/11 exhibit, art shows to live music (see the full schedule here).
Highlights of the week include the Red, White and Blue Freedom Flotilla on July 2, as well as the Naturalization Ceremony taking place, swearing in upward of 100 new American citizens on July 3. The 440th Army Band performs at the Fort Johnston-Southport Visitor’s Center on Wednesday, too.
However, July 4th proper will include the annual Southport parade at 11 a.m. — the route moving down Moore and Howe streets. Beforehand, the reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at 10:15 a.m. and there is a flag-raising ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
An arts and craft fair will host numerous vendors and artisans from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4 at Southport Waterfront Park, where food concessions also will be set up. Bands perform at the Waterfront Stage all day as well, including Bounce and Back Porch Rockers.
Fireworks will fly at 9 p.m. over the water, visible from the park.
Oak Island Beach Day and FireworksMiddleton Park Complex, 102 SE 47th St. • Free
As part of the official North Carolina 4th of July Festival, Oak Island is hosting a day of excitement on Tuesday, July 1.
Known as Beach Day, it started in 1999 celebrating the merger of Yaupon and Long beaches, now Oak Island. The day includes a volleyball tournament, sandcastle contest (46th Street beach access), horseshoes, dog costume contest, cornhole, water balloon toss, spike ball contest, and more (see full schedule here).
It concludes at Middleton Park Complex with live music from Chairman of the Board, featuring Ken Knox.
Fireworks then go off above the Oak Island Pier at 9 p.m.
Ocean Isle Beach Fireworks and ParadeVarious locations • Free
Fireworks and a pedestrian parade are planned in this beach town, with the sparks flying over Ocean Isle Beach Pier beginning at 9:15 p.m. on July 4. The show lasts around 20 minutes.
Earlier in the day at 10 a.m., participants interested in joining the golf cart and bicycle parade should meet at 9:15 a.m. at E. 2nd Street. There are 10 allowed floats as well.
Come decorated in your patriotic best — both clothes and mode of transportation. Judging takes place at 9:20 a.m., with awards at 9:50 a.m.
Sunset Beach Old Bridge Museum Parade109 Shoreline Drive W. • Free
What’s become a family tradition continues this July 4th week in Sunset Beach.
The Old Bridge Parade welcomes families to come with decked-out bicycles, wagons, strollers or sneakers to ride or march across the Old Bridge in step to the patriotic music. There also will be light refreshments and games for the kids, as hosted by the members of the Old Bridge Preservation Society.
Pender County
Burgaw 4th of July ParadeDowntown Burgaw, 10 a.m. • Free
No, it’s not a typical parade, with cars, floats, civic organizations and marching bands. In Burgaw, the July 4 Parade welcomes families who want to participate via golf carts, roller skates, bicycles and on foot. It’s pedestrian-friendly and participants should arrive to Burgaw’s train depot by 9:45 a.m.
No advertising or campaigning is allowed, but everyone is welcome to wear their best red, white and blue. There also will be free popsicles and a water spray from the Burgaw Fire Department ladder truck.
The parade makes a figure eight, traveling south on Dickerson Street to Freemont, Wright, and Satchwell streets, back to Dickerson, and then onto Freemont, Wright and back to Courthouse Avenue. See the route here.
Surf City 4th of July Soundside Park, 517 Roland Dr. • Free
There will be live music, fireworks and fun planned for the Independence Day celebration in Surf City. It takes place for free a day early on Wednesday, July 3.
Starting at 6 p.m. the event will have 16 food trucks on site, as well as live music by Dalton Davis beginning at 6 p.m. Mayor Teresa Batts will give opening remarks at 7:15 p.m., followed by a flag ceremony and the singing of the National Anthem, with more music by Davis until just before 9 p.m. Fireworks will then light up the sky.
The event concludes at 9:30 p.m.
Coolers, blankets, chairs and lunch boxes are welcome, though alcohol is prohibited.
Parking will not be allowed at Soundside Park during the event but an unloading zone for Uber, Lyft and taxis will be in a dedicated zone near the amphitheater. However, the city has designated parking zones (map accessible here) and limited handicap parking zones on Roland Avenue.
The Soundside boat ramp will be closed on July 3, though open will be the Lewis Road Access, at 613 Lewis Rd. in Hampstead and Turkey Creek Access at 619 Turkey Point Rd. in Sneads Ferry.
Onslow County
Freedom Festival 1250 Onslow Pines Rd. • Free
In Jacksonville, N.C., Onslow Parks and Recreation hosts Freedom Fest on Friday, July 4, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.. It’s free, family-friendly and welcomes a celebration of the red, white and blue.
There will be live entertainment, food trucks, and activities for all ages. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome and it concludes with a fireworks display.
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