Patriotism runs deep in Western North Carolina, and communities throughout the region know how to celebrate the nation's birthday. From Brevard to Bryson City and Marion to Maggie Valley, parties, parades and fireworks are all planned to mark the Fourth of July holiday.
The city of Asheville's Independence Day celebration has been moved to Sunday at Memorial Stadium, just above McCormick Field. The free family festivities start at 4 p.m. and conclude with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
A 2009 pyrotechnic explosion that killed four people on Ocracoke Island has led to stricter state rules, which made it impossible for Asheville to use its past staging area in a city-owned parking lot off Charlotte Street. The event is expected to be held in Pack Square Park in 2012.
This year's activities include games, rides, music and patriotic tributes, along with food, beer and soft drinks for sale. People may park as if attending a Tourists game, says Diane Ruggiero, the city's superintendent of cultural arts. Because the event is on a Sunday, the public works parking lots off South Charlotte and Eagle streets along with the City Hall lots on Marjorie Street will also be available, Ruggiero said.
On Monday, Brevard hosts its daylong celebration, beginning with a 5K/10K run at 8 a.m. followed by multiple music and entertainment events and culminating with 9:30 p.m. fireworks hosted by Brevard College.
“Celebrating Fourth of July in downtown Brevard is a great way to re-connect to old-fashioned, hometown spirit,” says Madrid Zimmerman, executive director of the Heart of Brevard. “Classic cars, kids decorating bicycles and the reading of the Declaration of Independence allow us to take a break from our hectic lifestyles and enjoy activities that remind us of how grateful we are that with family and friends we can enjoy such privileges in America.”