Fourth of July Weekend Celebrations

Story by Corinne Saunders of Mountain Times Press

Since the original 13 colonies declared their independence from British rule 233 years ago, the country has unquestionably undergone many transformations. However, the sentiment of banding together with fellow countrymen—whether to declare independence or celebrate it—has not been lost.

The High Country offers a large assortment of events commemorating the nation’s officially observed July 4 birth. Refer to our list of parades, special events and fireworks to plan your Independence Day weekend.

Parades

Banner Elk
The Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce will sponsor an Independence Day Parade this Saturday, July 4, at 11:00 a.m. The parade begins at the Lees-McRae College library and ends at Tate-Evans Town Park. The volunteers who work at the chamber of commerce will serve as grand marshal. 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. The mayor will be the grand marshal. For more information, call the Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Department at 828-295-5222.

Boone
The Downtown Boone Fourth of July parade begins at 3:00 p.m. with line-up at the Horn in the West parking lot at 1:00 p.m. This year’s grand marshal is the Watauga Humane Society. Participating in the parade is free and open to the public. A registration form can be obtained via email by contacting boone@goboone.net. For more information, call the Town of Boone at 828-262-4530.

Elk Park
The Town of Elk Park will hold a Fourth of July parade this 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. The grand marshal is usually the town police chief and the mayor. For more information, call the Elk Park Town Hall at 828-733-9573.

Newland
The Newland Fourth 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. The mayor will serve as grand marshal. For more information, call 828-733-2023.

Todd
The Elkland Art Center invites everyone to Todd for the Liberty Parade 2009, which they sponsor with some additional funding from the N.C. Rural Center. To join the parade, 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. Emilie Enzmann will lead the parade. For more information, call 336-877-5016.

Special Events on Friday, July 3

Blowing Rock
Live Performers Downtown
Blowing Rock’s Fourth of July celebration begins with live performers roving the streets of downtown Blowing Rock from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 3. The family-friendly entertainers include Buddy Farnan, who is a nationally acclaimed, award-winning magician also known as “Mr.Magic.” Farnan has traveled the world delighting crowds, and was also a television personality in Chicago and Atlanta. Joining “Mr. Magic” on Main Street Friday evening will be Wacky-Do, the clowning balloon sculptor, who has performed all over the U.S. and Canada.  

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 p.m. 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. The prizes for winners include five U.S. Savings Bonds; two-night stays at a Tee Pee Eagles Nest; a free ride on Scream Time Zip Line; a one-night stay for two in a three-bedroom, three-bath Headwaters condo; two tickets to any 2009 play at Lees-McRae; three each or a car (up to six people) admission to the entire Grandfather Mountain park; a special trip from Vacations Plus; free passes to Tweetsie Railroad; and a two-night stay for two at Best Western. For more information, call 828-898-5398.

Beech Mountain
47th Annual Roasting of the Hog
The 47th annual Roasting of the Hog will take place from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Ski Beech’s View House. Pork, smoked turkey, baked beans and coleslaw will be some of the items available at the event. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 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
Fourth 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.

Jones House Celebration
A free Fourth of July celebration takes place at the Jones House Community Center prior to the Town of Boone’s Fourth of July parade. At 1:00 p.m., the Blowing Rock Stage Company’s summer interns will perform Jack in the Park Tales, which will be succeeded by more Jack Tales and a book signing by Orville Hicks. At 2:00 p.m., the Watauga Community Band will perform and there will be free watermelon for all.

VFW Fourth of July Cookout
VFW Post 7031 on State Farm Drive in Boone will host a cookout after the Town of Boone’s Fourth of July Parade ends. The women’s auxiliary, men’s auxiliary and VFW post members have made the hamburger and hotdog cookout free to the public; however, they will accept donations for local veterans and their families. For more information, call VFW Post 7031 at 828-264-9570.

Elk Park
Fourth of July Picnic and Barbecue
A Fourth 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 9:15 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.

Seven Devils
6th Annual Safety Fest
The Town of Seven Devils will hold its 6th annual Safety Fest on Saturday, July 4 at the town hall. The event features a craft fair from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., a raffle and a silent auction. Persons who enter the raffle or silent auction do not need to be present to win. Barbecue will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, call 828-963-5343.

Todd
Circus
At Cook Memorial Park, the Liberty Parade’s end turns into a celebration of the New River, and then a locally grown circus for all. This event features giant puppets, food and music, and all are welcome. For more information, call 336-877-5016.

 

Todd Summer Music Series
Buck Haggard plays for the Todd Summer Music Series in Cook Park at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. George Wilson leads this band, made up of about five Boone-area musicians who play the “original” (1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s) country music sure to make you tap your toes, nod your head, and sing along. The Todd Summer Music Series is presented by the Todd Community Preservation Organization, supported in part by grants from the N.C. STEP program of the N.C. Rural Center and the Community Arts Program of the Ashe County Arts Council. For more information, call the Todd Mercantile at 336-877-5401.

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. As one of the best old-fashioned summer festivals in the South, Christmas in July draws more than 20,000 visitors in one day. For more information, call the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce at 336-846-9196.

Special Events on Sunday, July 5

Blowing Rock
Fourth of July Festival
The Blowing Rock Fourth 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 the fields across from the National Guard Armory on Hunting Hills Lane on Saturday, July 4. A DJ will set up around 6:00 p.m. and fireworks begin about 9:00 p.m. For more information, call the Town of Boone at 828-262-4530.

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 inclement weather, the rain date is July 5. For more information, click to www.tweetsie.com or call 828-264-9061.
 

UNC Medical Center Tips for a Safe Fourth of July

The Fourth of July can be an exciting and fun holiday full of fireworks, but each year, thousands of careless revelers are injured. The best advice is to leave it to the professionals.

“Be safe…attend the public firework displays,” said Ernest Grant, RN, MSN, nursing education clinician for burn outreach at the N. C. Jaycee Burn Center at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

“The individuals responsible for these shows are trained, licensed professionals. That said, we know that everyone will not heed this warning,” Grant said.

According to a 2007 report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 11 people died and approximately 9,200 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in 2006. About 5 percent of the injured required admission to the hospital.

Most injuries are to the person lighting the fireworks when the rocket backfires or doesn’t go off. They investigate by picking it up and it explodes, resulting in burns to the hands, arms, legs, ears and face; the loss of fingers; and shrapnel and other foreign bodies injure the eyes. In some cases, their clothing can catch fire, creating more burns. Bystanders who are too close also can receive similar injuries.

The following pointers will help ensure a safe Fourth of July fireworks experience:

-Read the safety instructions. 
-Choose a wide-open space free of anything that can burn (dried grass, wood, paper).
-Keep bystanders at a safe distance and don’t allow children to handle fireworks or wander anywhere nearby. 
-Have a garden hose or bucket of water immediately available should a fire start.
-Use a long-tipped lighter or fireplace match to light the fireworks.
-Leave failed fireworks alone. Don’t relight them. Wait 20 minutes and then soak them in a bucket of water.
-Don’t use fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
-Have a fully stocked first-aid kit available.
-And if you think sparklers are safer, think again. “Sparklers and fireworks that are designed to explode or throw off showers of hot sparks may have a temperature that exceeds 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit,” Grant said. “Don’t hand these to children. And make sure they remain a safe distance from the flying sparks.”
-If injury occurs, Grant advises the following steps for treatment.
-For small, minor burns:
If the burn is not too large, remove any jewelry or other constricting clothing and cool the affected area with cool water. Once cooled, cover with a sterile dressing or clean, non-fluffy materials (i.e., not cotton, not an adhesive bandage) to protect it from the possibility of an infection. Do not use lotions, ointments or creams. If the pain persists, or if the burn is larger than the size of a quarter, see your doctor immediately.
-For large, deep burns:
Always seek medical attention for burns greater than the size of a quarter or greater than the size of the victim’s palm. Call 911. Follow the same directions as above, but if the burn covers a large portion of the body, do not over-cool as this can produce hypothermia. Make the individual as comfortable as possible until EMS arrives. Do not give the victim anything to eat, drink or smoke. Do not administer any pain medications, including over-the-counter products. 
  
A Note From the Watauga County Fire Marshal’s Office

Persons from the Watauga County Fire Marshalís Office and the Watauga County Sheriffs Office will be available to handle any complaints we receive. Residents inside Boone, Blowing Rock, Seven Devils or Beech Mountain town limits should contact the local fire or police department. We can write citations and/or the fire code official is authorized to remove or cause to be removed or disposed of illegal fireworks at the expense of the owner of the fireworks.

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