Events & Activities: Fourth of July and Beyond
Get ready for the holiday weekend!
• Farmers Markets provide a perfect opportunity to find local, fresh produce, get outside on the weekends and mingle with your community. Click HERE for a guide to some of the great markets throughout Western North Carolina.
• The “Concerts on the Creek” music series will continue with Twisted Trail Band, southern country and rock originals and covers, at 7 p.m. Friday, June 30, at the gazebo in Bridge Park in downtown Sylva. For more information, please contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 828.586.2155 or visit the Concerts on the Creek Facebook page. A full schedule of dates and performers can be found at mountainlovers.com/concerts-on-the-creek.
• The annual “Thunder in the Smokies” summer rally will be held June 30-July 2 at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds. The oldest and largest motorcycle rally in the Great Smoky Mountains, the weekend celebration will feature live music, dozens of vendors, motorcycle shows/games, prizes and much more. For more information, a full schedule of events and/or to purchase tickets, go to handlebarcorral.com/summerrally.
• The annual Mountain Artisans “Summertime“ Arts & Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 30-July 1 in the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Dozens of local artisans. Admission is $5 for adults with children under 12 free. Concessions available and free convenient parking. For more information, go to mountainartisans.net.
• The Mountain Heritage Center’s newest exhibit, “Coverlets: New Threads in Old Patterns,” will be on display through Aug. 31 at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. Admission is free. The Mountain Heritage Center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday in WCU’s Hunter Library. Call or email prior to your visit for information about parking. For questions about the exhibit or the Mountain Heritage Center, visit mhc.wcu.edu or call 828.227.7129.
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• Haywood County hard rock act Hellen's Bridge will perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at the Water'n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville. For more information, call 828.456.4750 or click on facebook.com/waternhole.bar. To learn about Hellen's Bridge, go to facebook.com/hellensbridgeband.
• Acclaimed Americana/bluegrass act Darren Nicholson Band will host a special album release party during the Independence Day Celebration Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 2, in the Stuart Auditorium at the Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. Also performing onstage will be popular bluegrass ensemble Unspoken Tradition. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on lakejunaluska.com/signature-events/independence-day-celebrations and scroll down to the July 2 listing. To learn about Nicholson, go to darrennicholson.net.
• Geologist and author Bill Jacobs will discuss the captivating geologic history of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau during a free lecture at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at the Highlands Nature Center. For more information, including a full lecture lineup, visit highlandsbiological.org.
• The Town of Sylva’s annual July 4 fireworks display will begin at dark (generally around 9:45 p.m.) and are visible from various locations throughout downtown and the surrounding areas. The Fourth of July Celebration will feature fireworks, live music (The Carolina Soul Band), food, dancing and fun in Sylva.
• Downtown Franklin Fourth of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. with family fun on Main Street. Fireworks sponsored by the Town of Franklin will begin around 9:30 p.m. on Highlands Road.
• Freedom Fest, a Fourth of July celebration in Bryson City, begins at 8 a.m. with the Annual Bryson City Rotary Club Firecracker 5K, and continues with the street festival at 10 a.m. on Everett Street downtown. The day will round out with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. downtown. For more information visit https://www.greatsmokies.com/stec_event/freedom-fest-fireworks-2/.
• Lake Junaluska Independence Day Celebration features family-friendly fun — from concerts to fireworks to floating wish lanterns. Blue Ridge Big Band Concert will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, June 30, at the Lakeside White Tent. Events will continue throughout the weekend and a concert with Darren Nicholson Band and Unspoken Tradition will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at Stuart Auditorium. A fireworks display will take place at 9:30 p.m. Monday, July 3. For more information visit lakejunaluska.com/signature-events/independence-day-celebrations/.
• Fourth of July Fireworks presented by the Highalnds Chamber of Commerce will take place from 9-10 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. For more information visit highlandschamber.org/event/4th-of-july-fireworks/594/.
• July 4 Stars and Stripes Celebration will take place in downtown Waynesville beginning with a kids parade at 11 a.m. and concluding with a patriotic concert by the Haywood Community Band at 2 p.m. For more information visit downtownwaynesville.com.
• Backyard Fourth Independence Day will take place 6-11 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Bring a blanket, chars, picnic basket, bubbles, hula hoops, balls and yard games. Maggie Valley Police Department will be serving BBQ plates for $10 each. This is an alcohol free event. For more information visit maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.com/.
