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Not hot on firing up the grill for a Fourth of July bash of your own? Celebrate Independence Day with music, games, rides and even a militia reenactment at one of these all-American events – complete with fireworks.
1 p.m. Sunday
U.S. National Whitewater Center’s Fourth of July Festival
Sing Fourth of July weekend away with eight bands and musical artists, including Acoustic Syndicate, Simplified and Eric Lindell. The Fourth of July Festival, sponsored by Coke Zero, will take place at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway. The musical festivities begin at 1 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Fireworks will start at dark on both days. The event is free to attend. Parking costs $5. For more information: 704-391-3900 or www.usnwc.org.
Noon-10 p.m. Sunday
‘Fabulous 4th’ at Kings Mountain
Check out musket and cannon demonstrations, do some patriotic crafts and sign the Declaration of Independence at Kings Mountain’s free Fourth of July celebration. The event is at Walking Track Park, 225 Cleveland Avenue, and begins at noon. At 6 p.m. the band Continental Divide will perform, and at 9 p.m. there will be a parade led by the Loch Norman Pipe Band. Then, Mayor Rick Murphrey will lead patriot militia in a mock battle against the British before a victory signal flare goes off, marking the beginning of the fireworks show. Make sure to come early with your blanket or lawn chair! For more information, visit www.cityofkm.com.
6-10 p.m. Sunday
US Airways Family Fun Festival ‘Red, White and Boom’
Celebrate Fourth of July with sack races, inflatable slides, food vendors and watermelon-eating contests at the free US Airways Family Fun Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. at Charlotte Memorial Stadium, located at 310 N. Kings Drive, in Center City. Then, lay out your blanket or watch from the stadium as fireworks take to the skies at 9:30 p.m., shot off from the Central Piedmont Community College campus. The show will be synchronized to patriotic music on 96.9 FM (WKKT). Enter a drawing to win a $500 US Airways gift card by bringing a non-perishable food item for Second Harvest Food Bank. Parking costs $5. There will be food vendors at the event, but no outside food or drink is allowed. For more information: 704-332-2227 or www.findyourcenter.com.
1-4 p.m. Sunday
Charlotte Museum of History Independence Day Celebration
Learn about how it all began with an afternoon at the Charlotte Museum of History, located at 3500 Shamrock Drive. The Independence Day celebration is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., but admission is free all day at the museum, so stay awhile and look around. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it at the museum. For more information, call 704-568-1774 or visit www.charlottemuseum.org.
All day Sunday
Carowinds’ Night of Fire
Join the Rock Hill American Legion Post 34 Honor Guard for a flag ceremony and salute at noon July 4, before letting out your adventurous side on one of Carowinds’ coasters. The theme park, at 14523 Carowinds Boulevard, will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and has special admission prices that day, ranging from $37.98 to $42.98, depending on age and height. Admission to the park is free for active or retired members of the military on Sunday and Monday with valid ID. Sunday’s ticket includes the day’s admission to the park and access to watch the “Night of Fire” fireworks display at 10 p.m. The best place to watch the fireworks in the park is at the Thrill Zone and the Carolina Cobra midway. Parking is $10. For more information: 704-588-2600 or www.carowinds.com.
All day Sunday
Tweetsie Railroad’s fireworks show
Head over to the Blue Ridge Mountains to celebrate July 4 at Tweetsie Railroad. The park, 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane in Blowing Rock, will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature rides on the Tweetsie Railroad Wild West train and live shows. The fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m. Daily admission to the park is $32 for adults, $22 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children ages 2 and under. Parking is $5, and free for park season pass holders. There will also be a chicken and barbecue buffet at $12.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for those 2 and under. For more information: 800-526-5740 or www.tweetsie.com.
7:15 p.m. Sunday
Charlotte Knights Skyshow
Watch the Charlotte Knights play against the Norfolk Tides on July 4 at 7:15 p.m., and then enjoy a fireworks show after the game that is synchronized to patriotic music on WBT Radio (1110-AM and 99.3-FM). Gates open at 5 p.m. The game will take place at Knights Stadium, located at 2280 Deerfield Drive in Fort Mill, S.C. Tickets cost $7 to $13, and parking costs $5.For more information: 704-357-8071 or www.charlotteknights.com.
Here is a schedule of activities across the region, by county (listings preceded by a "*" have fireworks):
MECKLENBURG
* Charlotte – Uptown: Sunday … family festival, 6-10 p.m., at Memorial Stadium … fireworks, about 9:30 p.m.
* Charlotte – U.S. National Whitewater Center: Saturday and Sunday … games, entertainment and other activities, noon-10 p.m. … fireworks, about 9 p.m. each night (admission charge to park).
Cornelius: Sunday … live music and movie, 6:30-10 p.m., Town Hall lawn, Catawba Avenue.
BURKE
* Morganton: Sunday … Red, White and Bluegrass Festival, noon-9:30 p.m., at Catawba Meadows Park, Sanford Drive … fireworks, 9:30 p.m. (admission charge to festival).
CABARRUS
* Kannapolis: Sunday … fireworks after the 7 p.m. Kannapolis vs. Greenville baseball game … Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium, Exit 63 at Interstate 85 (admission charge to game).
CALDWELL
* Lenoir: Sunday … festival, 4:30-9:30 p.m., Mulberry Recreation Center, on West Avenue N.W. … fireworks, 9:30 p.m.
CATAWBA
All events were Saturday.
CLEVELAND
All events were Friday and Saturday.
GASTON
* Dallas: Sunday … fireworks, 9 p.m.
* Gastonia: Sunday … live music and festival, 7:30 p.m., at Rotary Centennial Pavilion, South Street … fireworks, 9:15 p.m.
IREDELL
All events were Saturday.
LINCOLN
* Lincolnton: Sunday … parade, 8 p.m. in downtown area … fireworks, 9:30 p.m., at Lincolnton High School.
McDOWELL
All events were Saturday.
MONTGOMERY
All events were Saturday.
RICHMOND
* Rockingham: Sunday … Freedom Fest at the Rock, at Rocking Dragway, U.S. 1 … drag racing and fireworks, 5 p.m.-midnight (admission charge).
ROWAN
* Faith: 64th annual Faith Fourth of July Festival, through Monday … festival hours are 4-10 p.m. today, and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday … parade, 10 a.m. Monday … fireworks, 10:30 p.m. Monday.
STANLY
All events were Friday and Saturday.
UNION
* Monroe: Sunday … music and dance show, 7 p.m. … fireworks, 9:30 p.m. … activities at Belk Tonawanda Park.
WATAUGA
* Blowing Rock: Sunday … fireworks, 9:30 p.m., at Tweetsie Railroad, U.S. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock (admission charge to park).
WILKES
All events were Saturday.
SOUTH CAROLINA
LANCASTER
All events were Saturday.
YORK
* Fort Mill: Sunday … WBT Sky Show, after 7:15 p.m. Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides baseball game, at Knights Castle, off I-77 at Gold Hill Road … pregame entertainment (admission charge to game).
* Lake Wylie: Sunday … fireworks, 9:45 p.m., at Buster Boyd Bridge.
