An Appalachian Fourth
Nothing says summer more than the Fourth of July, and in Western North Carolina, we celebrate Independence Day with gusto. Between majestic fireworks, sizzling hot dogs and hamburgers, cotton candy, games, live music and craft demonstrations, there’s a little of bit of everything for any and all. So, grab your lawn chair, sunglasses and adventurous spirit and enjoy America’s birthday in Southern Appalachia.
Bryson City
• Freedom Fest begins at 8 a.m. in downtown with the Rotary International Firecracker 5K. Riverfront Park will hold the Strut Your Mutt pet show and the Explore Kids’ Street children activities will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Also at the park will be the Smoky Mountain Rollergirls dunking booth from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Bridge Stage on Everett Street will have live music throughout the day, with the fireworks show beginning at 10 p.m. Free. www.greatsmokies.com/freedomfest.
• NOC’s Sizzlin’ 4th of July will run July 4-6 and the NRC Family Whitewater Weekend will run July 5-6 at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in the Nantahala Gorge. Nantahala Racing Club’s adventure race will be at 4 p.m. July 5, with live music at 7 p.m. at Big Wesser BBQ. Slalom races will be at noon July 6. Free. 828.232.7238 or www.noc.com.
• Singing In The Smokies Independence Weekend Festival will run July 3-5 at Inspiration Park. Hosted by Appalachian/gospel group The Inspirations, the event features live music from The Kingsmen, Troy Burns Family, Dixie Echoes, Chris Smith, Daron Osbourne, Evidence of Grace, and many more. $20 per day, per adult. Children ages 12 and under free. www.theinspirations.com.
• Freedom Train at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will depart at 7:30 p.m. July 4 at the Bryson City Depot. The trek will head to the Fontana Trestle and return just in time for the fireworks in downtown Bryson City. First Class, Crown Class and Coach Class seating available. All ticket purchases of any class include a meal. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.
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Canton
• The town’s 4th of July Celebration begins at 6 p.m. July 5 at Sorrells Street Park. Live music, dancing, food and craft vendors. Watermelons will be provided for free, with children’s watermelon rolls and seed spitting contests to commence. Fireworks at dusk. Free. www.cantonnc.com.
Cashiers
• Fireworks Extravaganza on the Green begins at 6:30 p.m. July 4 at the Village Green Commons. Live music will be provided by rhythm and blues band The Extraordinaires. The Cashiers Farmers’ Market and numerous food vendors will be onsite. There will also be moonshine margaritas, beer and wine available. Fireworks begin at dusk. Free, with VIP packages available. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com or 828.743.3434.
Cherokee
• 4th of July Fireworks will be held at dusk on July 4 at the Acquoni Expo Center. The Sunset 5K Run will also be held at 5 p.m. The Cherokee bonfire will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Oconaluftee Islands Park Bonfire Pit. www.cherokeesmokies.com.
• The 39th annual Eastern Band of Cherokee Pow Wow begins at 5 p.m. July 4, 10 a.m. July 5 and 7 a.m. July 6 at the Acquoni Expo Center (formerly Cherokee High School). The event features world-champion dancers and drummers competing for prizes. Vendors from across the country will offer food and arts and crafts items. $10 per day with a weekend pass for $25. www.visitcherokeenc.com.
Fontana Village Resort
• 4th of July at Fontana Village Resort will be July 2-5. The event features cornhole and Pac Man tournaments, a sunset cruise, documentaries, games and children’s activities. Performances will include the Larry Barnett Duo at 7 p.m. July 2, Unit 50 at 7 p.m. July 3, Fast Gear at 6 p.m. and The Chillbillies at 9 p.m. July 4, and Old Red Schoolhouse at 7 p.m. July 5. Fireworks will be at 10 p.m. July 4. www.fontanavillage.com.
Franklin
• 4th of July Parade and Celebration, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 4, in downtown. Parade starts at 10 a.m. The Fireworks in the Park will be held at 3 p.m. until dark at the Macon County Veterans Memorial Recreation Park. The park features a cornhole tournament at 3 p.m. (registration begins at 1:30 p.m.), famous plunger toss at 7 p.m. and bull’s eye ball drop at 9:15 p.m., with fireworks at dusk. Live music will be provided by Miss Kitty & The Big City Band at 7 p.m., with the Presentation of the Colors at 9:15 p.m. and the singing of the national anthem at 9:30 p.m. Food vendors will also be onsite. www.franklin-chamber.com.
Highlands
• July 4th Fireworks, 11 a.m. until dusk July 4, in downtown. Cookout begins at 11 a.m. at the baseball field, with the 3rd annual Rotary Rubber Ducky Derby at 3 p.m. at Mill Creek, live music at 6 p.m. at Town Square and Pine Street Park, and patriotic sing-along at 8 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. 828.526.2112 or www.highlandschamber.org.
Lake Glenville
• Lake Glenville Fireworks, 8:30 p.m. July 5 over the lake. www.cashiersareachamber.com.
Lake Junaluska
• The 4th of July Celebration will be July 3-6 at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. A fish fry will be at 5:30 p.m. July 3 next to Stuart Auditorium. The Star Spangled Salute kicks off with a parade at 11 a.m. July 4, with a barbecue at noon and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. There will also be an array of children’s activities from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 5 at the pool, with a performance by the Carolina Water Ski Show at 1 p.m. on the lake. Live music will be performed by the Lake Junaluska Singers at 7:30 p.m. July 3-4 and by Balsam Range at 7:30 p.m. July 5. Tickets for each show are $17.50 general admission and $20 for reserved seating. www.lakejunaluska.com/july4th or 800.222.4930.
• Doug Stanford Memorial Rodeo, Ram Rodeo Series will be 8 p.m. July 4-5 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska.
Maggie Valley
• Backyard 4th Celebration will be from 6 to 11 p.m. July 4 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Fireworks at dusk. Free. 828.926.0866 or www.townofmaggievalley.com.
• Wheels Through Time Museum’s 12th anniversary in Maggie Valley Fourth of July celebration will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rare and unique machines spanning more than 110 years of transportation history, dating back to the very roots of motorized travel. www.wheelsthroughtime.com or 828.926.6266.
Sapphire Valley
• 9th annual Yankee Doodle Dandy Day, will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 4 at the Sapphire Valley track and recreation center areas. Swimming, outdoor games and contests, inflated bouncy toys, live music, sports contests, food, pony rides and the Horsepasture River Ducky Derby.
Sylva
• 4th of July Concerts on the Creek with Dashboard Blues will be at 7:30 p.m. July 4 at Bridge Park. Free. www.mountainlovers.com.
Waynesville
• Stars and Stripes Celebration, will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4 in downtown. Shops, galleries and restaurants open, with live music and entertainment. Kids on Main Patriotic Parade will be at 11 a.m. The Main Street Cookout, featuring local craft beer, barbecue, burgers and hot dogs will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at United Community Bank. The Haywood Community Band performs at 2 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. Free. www.downtownwaynesville.com.
