Celebrate Independence Day with weekend events and celebrations

Published 7:28 am Saturday, July 3, 2021

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Communities are gathering once again to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. Check out 4th of July local festivities and details below:

Ocracoke will offer weekend events, kicking off with an island-wide scavenger hunt on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sign up at the Books to be Red stage. At 8 p.m., deejay Tommy Hutcherson will spin dance songs and patriotic tunes at the NPS docks before the fireworks display at 9:15. Fireworks will be launched at the southern end of the island from the National Park Service parking area (which will be closed).

Sunday events include the 41st Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach from 9:30 a.m. to noon; lighthouse viewing from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (no climbing); the Old Time Independence Parade at 4 p.m. (this year’s theme is The Roaring 20s); the singing of the national anthem and awards presentation at 5:30 p.m. at the Books to Be Red stage; and the community beach bonfire from 7-10 p.m. at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. Bring your own blankets, chairs, marshmallows and roasting sticks. For entry forms for the parade and sculpture contest, visit visitocracokevillage.com/events.

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The Currituck Historical Society will host a Kid’s Bike Parade and reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4 at 2 p.m. at the Currituck Courthouse. Prizes and refreshments will be available. Children who participate will receive a new $2 bill with a picture of the signing of the Declaration and gift bag. For more information, call 252-619-6991.

Independence Day

Grisby and Rolf Bass help decorate the Currituck Courthouse for the 4th of July Kids Parade. Courtesy Barbara Snowden

Manteo events kick off at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 with a welcome and the national anthem at the courthouse stage, followed by a wacky hat contest, decorated bike contest, apple pie contest and games beginning at 3:15. Formula Band plays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Silver Bullets play at the Boathouse Stage from 7-9 p.m. The evening festivities conclude with a fireworks display after dark over the waters of Shallowbag Bay.

Roanoke Island Festival Park is hosting a free Independence Day concert featuring local favorite Johnny Waters & Company beginning at 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. and parking is first come first serve. OBX Yogurt will offer concessions. Visitors are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the music and then watch the fireworks display over the water. Those not vaccinated for COVID-19 are encouraged to wear a face covering.

Nags Head will present the annual Fireworks Spectacular display at 9:25 p.m. on Sunday, July 4 at Nags Head Fishing Pier. The rain date will be Monday, July 5. Visitors are encouraged to walk or ride bikes as parking is limited.

Kill Devil Hills will offer a firework show on Sunday, July 4 at 9:15 p.m. at the Avalon Pier. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.

Avon will set off fireworks from Avon Pier on Sunday, July 4 after dark.

Hyde County mainland will offer a fireworks display at Chris’s Grocery in Swan Quarter at 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 4.

Currituck will offer an Independence Day Celebration at Historic Corolla Park on Monday, July 5 starting at 5 p.m. with Mark Lippard entertaining the crowds, a watermelon contest, cornhole tournament and a kid’s dance contest. The fireworks show will begin shortly after sundown. Visitors can purchase dinner or snacks from the following food trucks: Fork’et Me Not, McGrath’s Burger Shack, On The Spot Creamery, Tull’s Creek Concession, and OBX Popcorn Shoppe. Dogs are permitted on leashes. No coolers, alcohol or on-street parking will be permitted. The Historic Corolla Park boat ramp will be closed on July 5 and no docking will be allowed.

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