Nothing says summer more than the 4th of July, and in Western North Carolina, we celebrate Independence Day with gusto. Between majestic fireworks, sizzling hot dogs and hamburgers, cotton candy, games, live music and craft demonstrations, there’s a little of bit of everything for any and all. So, grab your lawn chair, sunglasses and adventurous spirit, and enjoy this special day.
Bryson City
• “Freedom Fest” begins at 8 a.m. July 4 in downtown with the Rotary International “Firecracker 5K”. Riverfront Park will hold a “Strut Your Mutt” pet show and the “Explore Kids’ Street” children activities will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Bridge Stage on Everett Street will have live music with Boogertown Gap (10:30 a.m.), Productive Paranoia (1:30 p.m.), Somebody’s Child (5 p.m.), Elvis impersonator (7 p.m.) and Porch 40 (8 p.m.). Fireworks show begins at 10 p.m. www.greatsmokies.com/freedomfest.
• “NOC’s Sizzlin’ 4th of July” will be July 3-5 and the “NRC Family Whitewater Weekend” will run at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in the Nantahala Gorge. www.noc.com.
• “Singing In The Smokies” Independence Weekend Festival will run July 2-4 at Inspiration Park. Hosted by Appalachian/gospel group The Inspirations, the event featuring live music from The Kingsmen, Troy Burns Family, and many more. www.theinspirations.com.
• “Freedom Train” at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will depart at 7:30 p.m. July 4 at the Bryson City Depot. The trek will head to the Fontana Trestle and back just in time for the fireworks in downtown Bryson City. 800.872.4681 or www.gsmr.com.
Canton
• “4th of July Celebration” begins at 6 p.m. July 5 at Sorrells Street Park. Live music, dancing, food and craft vendors. Watermelons will be provided for free, with children’s watermelon roll and seed spitting contests to commence. Fireworks at dusk. www.cantonnc.com or 828.648.2363.
Cashiers
• “Fireworks Extravaganza on the Green” begins at 6:30 p.m. July 4 at the Village Green Commons. Live music will be provided by The Extraordinaires (blues/rock). The Cashiers Farmers’ Market and numerous food vendors will be onsite. Fireworks begin at dusk. www.villagegreencashiersnc.com.
Cherokee
• “4th of July Fireworks” will be held at dusk on July 4 at the Acquoni Expo Center. The Cherokee bonfire will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Oconaluftee Islands Park Bonfire Pit. www.cherokeesmokies.com.
Fontana Village Resort
• “4th of July at Fontana Village Resort” will be July 3-5. The event features cornhole and Pac Man tournaments, sunset cruise, documentaries, games and children’s activities. There will also be an array of live music throughout the three-day celebration. Fireworks will be at 10 p.m. July 4. www.fontanavillage.com.
Franklin
• “An Evening of Red, White & Blues” concert with Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’Blues will be at 7:30 p.m. July 3 at the gazebo in downtown. www.townoffranklinnc.com.
• The “4th of July Parade and Celebration,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 4, in downtown. Parade starts at 10 a.m. with activities thereafter.
• The “Fireworks in the Park” will be a daylong celebration beginning at 1 p.m. July 4 at the Macon County Veterans Memorial Recreation Park. The event features a corn hole tournament (3 p.m.), famous plunger toss (7 p.m.) and bulls eye ball drop (9:15 p.m.). Sundown will perform from 7 to 9 p.m., with fireworks at dusk. www.visitfranklinnc.com or 828.524.3161.
Highlands
• “July 4th Fireworks,” 11 a.m. until dusk July 4, in downtown. Cookout begins at 11 a.m. at the baseball field, with the 4rd annual Rotary Rubber Ducky Derby at Mill Creek, live music at 6 p.m. with Fritz Beer & The Crooked Beat (Americana) at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park, and patriotic sing-along at 8 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church. Fireworks at 9 p.m. www.highlandschamber.org.
Lake Glenville
• “Fireworks on Lake Glenville,” 7 p.m. July 3. www.cashiers411.com.
Lake Junaluska
• “4th of July Celebration” will be July 2-5 at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. There will be a concert by 2014 International Bluegrass Music Association “Entertainer of the Year” Balsam Range at 7:30 p.m. July 2 in Stuart Auditorium. The Lake Junaluska Singers will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 3-4 in Stuart Auditorium. The “Star Spangled Salute” kicks off with a parade from 11 a.m. to noon July 4, with a barbecue firing up at noon and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. There will also be an array of children’s activities including balloons and a face painter throughout the day at the Nanci Weldon Gym, with Eddie Rose & Highway 40 (bluegrass) to perform at the barbeque picnic from noon to 2 p.m. For a full schedule of events, lodging information and concert tickets, www.lakejunaluska.com/july4th or 800.222.4930.
Maggie Valley
• “Backyard 4th Celebration” will be from 6 to 11 p.m. July 4 at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Bring your own blankets, chairs, picnic baskets and yard games. Alcohol free event. Fireworks at dusk. 828.926.0866 or www.townofmaggievalley.com.
Sylva
• “Fourth of July Celebration,” 4 to 10 p.m. July 4, downtown. Darren Nicholson & Friends with Grammy winner David Holt (Americana/bluegrass) will perform from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by The Business (R&B/blues) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Bridge Park Pavilion. There will also be an array of children’s activities, with fireworks at dusk. 828.586.2155 or www.mountainlovers.com.
Waynesville
• “Stars and Stripes Celebration,” 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4, in downtown. Shops, galleries and restaurants open, with live music and entertainment. “Kids on Main Patriotic Parade” will be at 11 a.m. The “Main Street Cookout” featuring local craft beer, barbecue, burgers and hot dogs will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at United Community Bank. The Haywood Community Band performs at 2 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. The concert, “A Musical Salute to America,” will include an array of patriotic anthems and sing-alongs. www.downtownwaynesville.com.