Independence Day Celebrations

Story by Corinne Saunders

The High Country is exploding with events celebrating the nation’s independence on Saturday, July 4. Use our list of parades, special events and fireworks to plan your memorable day.

Parades

Banner Elk
The Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce will sponsor an Independence Day Parade on July 4 at 11:00 a.m. The parade begins at the Lees-McRae College library and ends at Tate-Evans Town Park. For more information, call 828-898-8395 or 828-898-8195.

Blowing Rock
The Blowing Rock Independence Day Parade takes place on Saturday, July 4, at 2:00 p.m. and runs along Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock. For more information, call the Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Department at 828-295-5222.

Boone
The Downtown Boone July 4th parade begins at 3:00 p.m. with line-up at the Horn in the West parking lot at 1:00 p.m. Participating in the parade is free and open to the public. For more information call the DBDA at 828-262-4532. A registration form can be obtained via email by contacting boone@goboone.net.

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 runs from H&H Trucking to Jack Hick’s Trucking Company. Those who want to be in the parade must be in line at H&H Trucking by 10:30 a.m. For more information, call the Elk Park Town Hall at 828-733-9573.

Newland
The Newland 4th of July parade line-up begins at the square at 9:15 a.m. and the parade starts at 10:00 a.m. on Ash Street. For more information, call 828-733-2023.

Todd
The Elkland Art Center invites everyone to join them for the Liberty Parade 2009. Meet Saturday, July 4, at 10:00 a.m. at Highway 194 and Railroad Grade Road in Todd, and the parade begins at 11:00 a.m. For more information, call 336-877-5016.

Special Events on Saturday, July 4

Banner Elk
Eagles Nest Fourth of July Celebration
From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, tour Eagles Nest’s newest model homes and property. The celebration features live music, food and activities for the entire family. From 6:30 to 10:00 p.m., a private party for homeowners, members and invited guests will be held and will feature fireworks. For more information, call 828-898-2422 or email broker@eaglesnestbe.com.

Duck Race
Following the parade, a plastic duck race will be held Saturday, July 4, from 12:00 to 2:00 at the Town Park in Banner Elk. The first race down Shawneehaw Creek is open to both adults and children, and the second race is only for children 12 and under. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20, and many prizes are available for winners. For more information, call 828-898-5398.

Beech Mountain
Annual Roasting of the Hog
The annual Roasting of the Hog will take place from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Ski Beech’s View House. Tickets are $15 and include dinner, music and fireworks at dusk. For more information, call 828-387-9283.

Family Day
From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Family Day, featuring a variety of games, will be held at Beech Mountain’s Buckeye Recreation Center. For more information, call 828-387-3003.

Blowing Rock
4th of July Festival
The Blowing Rock 4th of July Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5, on Main Street in downtown Blowing Rock. Saturday’s events include an adult horseshoe tournament, games, a clogging performance, a magic show and live music by The Vagabonds until 2:00 p.m., when Blowing Rock’s Independence Day Parade begins. After the parade, the Cockman family will play bluegrass music. For more information, call 828-295-5222.

Boone
Independence Day Salute: Bluegrass & Brass
The Mountainhome Music series takes on a patriotic theme for its concert at 8:00 p.m. in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Boone. 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 information, call 828-964-3392 or click to www.mountainhomemusic.com.

Elk Park
4th of July Picnic and Barbecue
A 4th of July Picnic and Barbecue will be held at Lucille Winters Municipal Park near the Elk Park Town Hall immediately after the 11:00 a.m. parade. The town will supply barbecue and a drink, and those who attend are asked to bring a covered dish. For more information, call the Elk Park Town Hall at 828-733-9573.

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

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

West Jefferson
Christmas in July
On Saturday, July 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., it’s Christmas in July in West Jefferson. The one-day-only, free-admission event features food, festivities and traditional mountain music and handmade crafts from the northwest mountains of North Carolina. For more information, call the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce at 336-846-9196.

Special Events on Sunday, July 5

Blowing Rock
4th of July Festival
The Blowing Rock 4th of July Festival continues on Sunday, July 5, 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 information, call 828-295-5222.

Vilas
Independence Praise Festival
Brushy Fork Baptist Church in Vilas invites everyone to bring a lawn chair and celebrate at the Independence Praise Festival from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. For more information, call 828-297-3554.

Fireworks

Beech Mountain
As part of the annual Roasting of the Hog celebration on Saturday, July 4, the town of Beech Mountain will set off fireworks at dusk. For more information, call 828-387-9283.

Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock’s annual fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, at the Blowing Rock Country Club. For more information, call the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851.

Boone
To see fireworks in Boone, bring a blanket or chairs to Hunting Hills Lane, across from the National Guard Armory, on Saturday, July 4. Fireworks begin at dark. For more information, call 828-262-4532.

Newland
The Town of Newland will set off fireworks at Lowes parking lot at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. For more information, call 828-733-2023.

Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad will remain open until 9:00 p.m. instead of closing at the regular time of 6:00 p.m. The annual fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. and parking is $5 per vehicle. In the event of severe inclement weather, the rain date is July 5. For more information, click to www.tweetsie.com or call 828-264-9061.