Plan your July 4 weekend: Find festivals, fireworks in Western North Carolina
July 1
Hot Springs fireworks: Residents will gather in the downtown area and at Hot Springs Elementary School, while other residents will be able to view the show from their homes.
Freedom Festival: 4 p.m., Laurel Community Center, 4100 N.C. 212, Marshall. 5K road race, volleyball, duck race, corn hole, food and drinks-including snow cones. Music by Charley Brophey and Miles Perry.
Hometown Celebration: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Konahetta Park, 699 Connahetta St., Murphy. Fireworks after dark.
July 2
Lake Lure fireworks: Fireworks at dusk over the lake from Morse Park, 2948 Memorial Hwy. Beach opens 8 p.m. On July 4, fireworks will be at Rumbling Bald Resort for their guests, but others can enjoy from boats on the lake.
Marshall: Parade at 5:30 p.m. at Blannahassett Island, downtown, followed by music. Fireworks 9:30 p.m.
Asheville Jazz Orchestra Patriotic Concert: 3 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Road, Asheville.
Fireworks fundraiser for Saluda Volunteer Fire Department: 9 p.m., Orchard Lake Campground, 460 Orchard Lake Road, Saluda. $8, free age 5 and younger. Visitors arriving after 7 p.m. not required to pay for day pass, but donations encouraged. Pass allows use of all campground activities. Call 828-749-3901 or visit our Facebook page.
July 3
Lake Junaluska July 4 celebration: Decorated kayak/canoe/paddleboard flotilla 11 a.m., music and reading of Declaration of Independence 7 p.m., fireworks 9:30 p.m. Visit www.lakejunaluska.com.
Graham County Heritage Festival: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 3-4, Graham County Courthouse Square, Robbinsville. Crafters, food, games, music, shows, contests. Fireworks 10 p.m. July 4.
Old Fort 4th of July Rodeo: 7:30 p.m. July 3-4,189 Catawba River Road, Old Fort. Gates open 5:30 p.m. Fireworks on July 3. Professional bull riding, barrel racing, cowboy action and Wild West entertainment. Food trucks on site. $20, $10 ages 6-12, free age 5 and younger. Visit https://rodeoroadshow.rodeoticket.com.
July 4
Asheville Independence Day 5K: 8 a.m., Carrier Park, Amboy Road, Asheville. Includes t-shirt, $5 donation to Food Connection, Wicked Weed beer, professionally chip-timed race. Kids Race for age 10 and younger-$5. Wicked Beer Mile 9:30 a.m. Register at https://raceroster.com/series/2023/70164/asheville-independence-day-races.
Ingles Independence Day Celebration: Noon-10 p.m., Pack Square Park, 121 College St., downtown Asheville. Ultimate Air Dogs noon-4 p.m. Advance registration required for dogs to jump. Food trucks and vendors 5 p.m. Music 4:30-9 p.m. Fireworks 9:30 p.m.
South Asheville Fireworks: 9 p.m. at Lake Julian, 406 Overlook Ext. Food trucks and music throughout evening. Park at Estes Elementary School, 275 Overlook Road, across from lake. Free. Daytime shuttle 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Leave pets at home.
Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast concert and festivities: 7:30-11:30 p.m., Lake Louise, Lake Louise Drive, Weaverville.
Free Fishing Day: 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m. Residents and out-of-state visitors may fish without having to purchase a license but all other fishing regulations apply. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org.
Fireworks and trivia: 6-10 p.m., Lookout Brewing Company,103 S. Ridgeway Ave., Black Mountain. Team trivia followed by fireworks.
Independence Day Sunset Fireworks Hike: 7-11 p.m. Meet at Black Mountain Savings Bank, 200 E. State St., Black Mountain. Join Swannanoa Valley Museum on 1.5-mile, moderate hike to peak of Sunset Mountain with watermelon cutting and watch sunset and fireworks. $65, $50 members, $35 age 10-17. Register at www.history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org.
Pendergrast Family Patriotic Pops: 2 p.m., Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Lane, Brevard. Brevard Symphonic Winds joined by Seraph Brass with inspirational American music, traditional Sousa marches, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with sounds of live cannon. $25-$50; Lawn $15. Visit www.brevardmusic.org.
Brevard: 4th of July Celebration 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fireworks at dark.
Hendersonville: 10:30 a.m. with parade, inflatables, kid’s games, activities, food trucks. Music at 5 p.m. on two stages. Fireworks 9:30 p.m.
Lake Lure fireworks: Fireworks at Rumbling Bald Resort for their guests, but others can enjoy from boats on the lake.
Marion’s Independence Day Celebration: 6 p.m. “Anything That Rolls” parade — skaters, bicycles, skateboards welcome and not required to pre-register. Fox and Company performs at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks 9:30 p.m.
Ice cream social and fundraiser: 1-4 p.m., Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center, Water Street, Old Fort. Free ice cream and watermelon, ducky derby-$3 for a duck, music by Possum Creek 2-4 p.m., parade 4 p.m., Ruritan Club serving hamburgers and hot dogs as a fundraiser. Call 828-668-9259 or visit www.mgmnc.org.
Old Fort 4th of July Rodeo: 7:30 p.m., 189 Catawba River Road, Old Fort. Gates open 5:30 p.m. Professional bull riding, barrel racing, cowboy action and Wild West entertainment. Food trucks on site. $20, $10 ages 6-12, free age 5 and younger. Visit https://rodeoroadshow.rodeoticket.com.
4th of July BBQ: 5-9 p.m., Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State St., Black Mountain. Celebrate the holiday on our front lawn with games and music from Shaggy & Susie. Bring your lawn chairs. Free to attend. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Visit www.mvhotel.com.
4th of July Cookout: Noon-3 p.m., Harwood Home for Funerals and Cremation, 208 W. State St., Black Mountain. Free barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks.
4th of July concert: Land of they Sky Symphonic Band at 7:30 p.m., White Horse, 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain. $20. Visit www.whitehorseblackmountain.com.
Mars Hill July 4 Celebration: 3 p.m. on Athletic Street, in and around Mars Hill University football stadium. Music, food trucks, inflatables, trackless train ride, axe throwing trailer. Fireworks 9:30 p.m.
Burnsville: Entertainment at 6 p.m. on Town Square by Debbie Phillips and Brian Turner & Friends. Followed by fireworks.
Bryson City Freedom Fest: 10 a.m. Arts, crafts, food. Music at 6 p.m. Fireworks at 10 p.m. Go rafting or tubing nearby. Kids area at Riverfront Park with bounce house, slide, monster truck combo, obstacle course. $5 wristband for all-day play.
Fireworks Over Franklin: 9:30 p.m. Park and watch event. Fireworks will be launched from 15 First St., just off Highlands Road across from the Shops at Riverwalk. To help you determine if you can view the fireworks, shells will be fired at 9 and 9:15 p.m. and a five minute warning shell at 9:25 p.m.
Graham County Heritage Festival: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Graham County Courthouse Square, Robbinsville. Crafters, food, games, music, shows, contests. Fireworks 10 p.m.
Andrews Hometown Celebration: Andrews Rec Park, 160 Park St. 11 a.m.-6:15 p.m. food trucks, free activities, vendors, prizes. Pool activities noon-5 p.m. Fireworks at dark.
Sylva: Children's activities 4-8 p.m., music by Carolina Soul Band 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Bridge Park, fireworks about 9:30 p.m.
Cashiers fireworks: 6:30-10 p.m. on the Village Green with festival, food, music, dancing. Jackson County.
Lake Glenville fireworks: Watch fireworks from land or lake about 9:30 p.m. Rent a pontoon boat at Signal Ridge Marina. Near Cashiers.
Banner Elk: Parade at 11 a.m. Duck Race & Party In The Park at noon with games, food vendors, inflatables. Hundreds of rubber ducks floating toward the finish line.
Beech Mountain: 6 p.m. Cookout, inflatable-style games, usic. Fireworks at dark. Beech Mountain Ski Resort open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for downhill mountain biking, scenic lift rides, Mile High Yoga and more. Avery County. Visit www.beechmtn.com.
Boone: 11 a.m. parade through downtown Boone. Followed by presentation of Town of Boone 1872 award at Jones House. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. at Clawson-Burnley Park, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Fireworks Extravaganza: Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock Highway, Blowing Rock, open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fireworks 9:30 p.m. Ticket includes admission to park. Free parking. Visit www.tweetsie.com.
Waynesville’s The Stars and Stripes Celebration: Children’s parade 11 a.m., concert 2 p.m. No fireworks in downtown Waynesville, but see them nearby in Maggie Valley and Lake Junaluska.
Maggie Valley’s Backyard Fourth: Gates open at 6 p.m., Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, 3374 Soco Road. Fireworks at dark. Free admission. Food for sale.
Lake Junaluska: Parade 11 a.m., food trucks and family fun noon-2 p.m. at open-air Nanci Weldon Memorial Gym. Haywood County.
Columbus’ Fabulous 4th Festival: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Food, music, entertainment, family games, vendors, with fireworks concluding the day.
July 5
July 4 + 1: 6 p.m., Sorrells Street Park, downtown Canton. Fireworks at dusk. Splash pad open, free inflatables and watermelon, food trucks, music DJ.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Find July 4 festivities and fireworks in Western North Carolina
