Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Celebrate Independence Day Weekend July 3 to 6

Story by Anna Oakes

July 4th falls on a Friday this year, but the celebrations begin on Thursday, July 3, and continue all weekend long. Use this comprehensive listing of parades, fireworks and other events to schedule your Independence Day weekend.

PARADES

Newland
The Newland 4th of July parade begins at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4, at the Avery Square. For more info, call 828-733-2023.

Boone
The Downtown Boone July 4th Parade takes place on Friday, July 4, at 11:00 a.m. The route travels from Horn in the West Drive down King Street west to Water Street.
The Downtown Boone Development Association coordinates the July 4th Parade. For more info, call 828-262-4532.

Banner Elk
The Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Independence Day Parade on Friday, July 4, at 11:00 a.m. The parade will originate at Lees-McRae College Library and end at Tate-Evans Town Park. Everyone can participate by marching in the parade or by watching on the sidelines.
For more info, call 828-898-8395 or 828-898-8195.

Elk Park
The Town of Elk Park will hold a 4th of July parade on Friday, July 4, at 11:00 a.m. The parade route follows U.S. 19 from J.C.’s Place to Jack Hick’s Trucking Company. Those who want to be in the parade must be in line at J.C.’s Place by 10:30 a.m. For info, call the Elk Park Town Hall at 828-733-9573.

Todd
Join the community of Todd for the Liberty Parade & Circus on Friday, July 4, at 11:00 a.m. Anyone can participate in the parade—just arrive by 10:30 a.m. The parade route runs from the intersection of N.C. 194 and Railroad Grade Road to downtown Todd. For more info, call 336-877-5401.

Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rock Independence Day Parade takes place on Saturday, July 5, at 2:00 p.m. along Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock. For more info, call the Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Department at 828-295-5222.

SPECIAL EVENTS

THURSDAY, JULY 3

Independence Praise Festival
Vilas
Brushy Fork Baptist Church in Vilas invites everyone to celebrate at the Independence Praise Festival. Youth activities take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., supper is from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and special music and speakers will be from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. For info, call 828-297-2524.

FRIDAY, JULY 4

Chetola Safety Day & Fun Festival
Blowing Rock
Chetola Resort will host Safety Day & Fun Festival from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with safety activities, games and a buffet-style picnic lunch from noon to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for kids 3 to 12 and free for kids under 3. For more info, call 828-295-5500 or click to www.chetola.com.

Celebration on Riverwalk
Newland
In Newland, join the Celebration on Riverwalk from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Riverwalk Park. The event features craft and food vendors and live music. For more info, call 828-733-2023.

July 4th Barbecue and Covered Dish Dinner
Orchard at Altapass, Little Switzerland
The annual July 4th Barbecue and Covered Dish Dinner at the Orchard in Altapass in Little Switzerland will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bring a covered dish. The orchard will provide barbecue, paper goods, iced tea, water and music all day. Bring lawn chairs. If you don’t want to bring a dish, admission is $10. For more info, call 888-765-9531.

4th of July Picnic and Bar-B-Q
Elk Park
A 4th of July Picnic and Bar-B-Q will immediately follow the 11:00 a.m. parade near the Elk Park Town Hall. For more info, call the Elk Park Town Hall at 828-733-9573.

Party in the Park
Banner Elk
Immediately after the 11:00 a.m. parade, the Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce will host the Party in the Park at Tate-Evans Town Park. The event includes barbecue, hot dogs and pizza, field games, a plant and bake sale, craft vendors and a book sale. For more info, call 828-898-8395 or 828-898-8195.

Jones House Centennial Celebration
Boone
Following the Downtown Boone July 4th Parade, the Jones House Centennial Celebration will begin. Music on the lawn includes concerts by the Watauga Community Band, Steve and Ruth Smith, Southern Accent and Beech Mountain Echoes. Activities take place all day. Bring a blanket or chair. For more info, call 828-264-1789.

VFW 4th of July Cookout
Boone
VFW Post 7031 in Boone will host a cookout featuring live music by The King Bees beginning at 3:00 p.m. Music will start at 4:00 p.m. The cookout is free to members and $5 for the general public. For more info, call VFW Post 7031 at 828-264-9570.

SATURDAY, JULY 5

4th of July Festival
Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rock 4th of July Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, on Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock.
Saturday’s events include an adult horseshoe tournament, games, clogging, a magic show, a patriotic sing-along and live music. Blowing Rock’s Independence Day Parade begins at 2:00 p.m. For more info, call 828-295-5222.

47th Annual Roasting of the Hog
Beech Mountain
At Beech Mountain, the 47th Annual Roasting of the Hog begins at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy music while dining outdoors, followed by fireworks at dark. Tickets are $15 per person and $5 for children 10 and under. Purchase tickets at the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Fred’s General Mercantile or at the gate. Call 828-387-9283 for more info.

Independence Day Salute: Bluegrass & Brass
Blowing Rock
The Mountainhome Music series takes on a patriotic theme for its concert at 8:00 p.m. in the Blowing Rock School Auditorium. Adult tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door. Student tickets are $10, child tickets are $5 and a family of two adults and up to four children gets in for $30. For more info, call 828-964-3392 or click to www.mountainhomemusic.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 6

4th of July Festival
Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rock 4th of July Festival continues on Sunday, July 6, with music from Diana and Sarvis Ridge at Memorial Park from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A dance will take place from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., with Sweet T performing. For more info, call 828-295-5222.

FIREWORKS

Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad will hold its annual fireworks display on Friday, July 4, after the amusement park closes at 9:00 p.m. Parking at Tweetsie is $5 per vehicle. For more info, call 800-526-5740.

Boone
To see fireworks in Boone, bring a blanket or chairs to Hunting Hills Lane, across from the National Guard Armory, on Friday, July 4, before 9:00 p.m. For more info, call 828-262-4532.

Jefferson
Beginning at dusk, festivities and fireworks will take place at the Ashe Park in Jefferson on Friday, July 4. For more info, call 336-982-9828.

Newland
The Town of Newland will light up the skies with a fireworks show at dark in Riverwalk Park on Friday, July 4. For more info, call 828-733-2023.

Beech Mountain
As part of the 47th Annual Roasting of the Hog celebration on Saturday, July 5, the town of Beech Mountain will set off fireworks at dark. Call 828-387-9283 for more info.

Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock’s annual fireworks display begins at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, at the Blowing Rock Country Club. For more info, call the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851.