BRYSON CITY 

• “Freedom Fest” will take place from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, in downtown. 

The 31st annual Bryson City Rotary Club Firecracker 5K will get underway at 8 a.m. The festival opens at 10 a.m. Everett Street will be closed for arts/crafts vendors, food trucks, restaurants and more. Live music will be held on the Everett Street Bridge from 4 to 10 p.m. Fireworks will be launched at 10 p.m. Free and open to the public. 

For more information, go to greatsmokies.com/freedom-fest. 

CANTON 

• The “July 4th +1” Independence Day celebration will be held on Wednesday, July 5, in Sorrells Street Park in downtown. 

Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Food vendors available. Fireworks at dusk, provided by Champion Credit Union. Kids inflatables sponsored by Dutch Cove Baptist Church and free watermelon from Crawford Ray Funeral Home. DJ music will also be onsite. Free and open to the public. 

For more information, go to cantonnc.com/july-4th-plus-one-2. 

CASHIERS 

• The ninth annual “Fireworks Extravaganza on The Green” will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at The Village Green at the crossroads. 

The evening features a festival, food vendors, live music by Continental Divide (blues/soul) and Cashiers Community Chorus, dancing and more. The fireworks display will occur at dusk. 

Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs, and picnics and coolers with their own food and beverages. Due to the size and nature of this event, dogs will not be allowed and personal tents are not allowed. 

Donations will be collected for a community fireworks fund to preserve the legacy of this cherished community celebration. Free and open to the public. 

For more information, go to villagegreencashiersnc.com/ event/9th-annual-fireworks-extravaganza-on-the-green. 

CHEROKEE 

• The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ 48th annual “Powwow” will be held June 30-July 2 at the Acquoni Expo Center. The event features fireworks of another kind, which means a three-day explosion of authentic Indian music, dancing, food and festivities. visitcherokeenc.com.

FRANKLIN 

• “Independence Day Parade & Celebration” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, in downtown. The parade will travel down Main Street and disband at First Citizens Bank. Following the parade, the Town of Franklin will be serving free cold watermelon as long as it lasts. townoffranklinnc.com. 

• “Fireworks Over Franklin” will be held at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. The show will be launched from 15 First St., which is just off Highlands Road across from the Shops at Riverwalk (formerly the East Franklin Shopping Center). This is a park and watch event. townoffranklinnc.com. 

HIGHLANDS 

• “Independence Day Festival” will be held Tuesday, July 4, at locations around downtown. Activities from 9 a.m. to noon at Town Ball Field on Hickory Street. Outdoor concert with Diamond River Band from 6-8:30 p.m. at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Fireworks display at 9 p.m. highlandschamber.org. 

LAKE GLENVILLE 

• The 26th annual “Fireworks Over Lake Glenville” will be held at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 2, as seen from any vantage point on the water. As well, there will be a “4th of July Gala Boat Parade” starting at 8 p.m. friendsoflakeglenville.com. 

LAKE JUNALUSKA 

• The “Independence Day Celebration” will be held July 1-4 at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. 

The annual celebration features a weekend of family-friendly fun — from concerts to fireworks to floating wish lanterns. The holiday weekend will be full of activities, as well as time to soak up summer enjoying the lakeside swimming pool, a round of golf/mini-golf , a cruise on the pontoon boat or a canoe, kayak or paddleboard rental.

A special holiday concert with The Darren Nicholson Band (country/bluegrass) and Unspoken Tradition (bluegrass) will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at Stuart Auditorium. Tickets are $35 for general admission, $45 for reserved seating. 

For more information about the “Independence Day Celebration,” lodging packages, tickets and a full schedule of events, go to lakejunaluska.com/july4th.

MAGGIE VALLEY 

• The “Backyard Fourth” will be held on Tuesday, July 4, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. For more information, go to maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.com.

SYLVA 

• The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will host the Independence Day "Fireworks Festivities” on Tuesday, July 4, in downtown. 

Live music and other family-friendly activities. A performance by The Carolina Soul Band will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Bridge Park Pavilion. In addition to music and fireworks, the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department will be providing children's activities from 4-8 p.m. Food and beverage providers will be onsite. 

Fireworks are organized by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and should begin at dark immediately after the concert, approximately 9:30 p.m. The fireworks will be visible from various locations throughout downtown Sylva and the immediate surrounding areas. Free and open to the public. 

For more information, click on mountainlovers.com. 

WAYNESVILLE 

• The “Stars & Stripes Celebration” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, in downtown. 

Restaurants, breweries, shopping, galleries and cafes. Children’s patriotic parade at 11 a.m. Live concert by the Hayw-  ood Community Band at 2 p.m. Free and open to the public.  

For more information, go to downtownwaynesville.com.