June is winding down and you know what that means — it’s time to plan your family’s Fourth of July festivities!
No matter where you live in Western Wake, you’re just a quick jaunt away from fabulous fun. We’ve compiled these town-by-town offerings to get you going:
CARY
It’s double the fun in Cary, as the town hosts a duo of Independence Day celebrations.
On Wednesday, July 3, kick off the holiday with free performances by the Applause! Cary Youth Theatre at 6:30 p.m., and the Cary Town Band, at 7:30, both at Sertoma Amphitheater in Bond Park.
On July 4, it’s the Independence Day Olde Time Celebration at Bond Park, beginning with a parent-child fishing tournament at 7:30 a.m., complete with prizes awarded for the largest and smallest fish!
Decorate your bike, trike, stroller or wagon in American style, and take part in Parade in the Park at 10:30 a.m., then head to waterfront contests including doughnut and watermelon eating and water balloon toss.
At 3 p.m., gates open at Koka Booth Amphitheatre for another full lineup of patriotic fun, from the new-for-2013 50-foot Ferris wheel overlooking Symphony Lake, to the Capital Model Boat Club regatta.
The Cary Town Band takes to the main stage at 5:45, followed by the North Carolina Symphony at 7:30, performing patriotic favorites led by conductor Matthew Troy, with special guest Miss North Carolina 2012 Arlie Honeycutt.
And as the last musical notes fade into the night, the sky will light up with the best holiday treat of all: Fireworks!
For more information, visit townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061.
APEX
It’s an Olde Fashioned Fourth of July in Apex, as the town celebrates our nation’s birthday with a host of activities beginning with the raising of the flag at 9 a.m. on July 4.
Inflatables, street performers, carnival games, a cake walk and more will fill the streets of downtown beginning at 9:15 a.m., and Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels takes off at noon.
All are welcome to decorate their non-motorized vehicles for the patriotic march down Salem Street.
Finally, throw on your swimsuit for the 12:30 Fire Department Splash Down at Station 1, and cool off under the spray of the fire hose!
For more info, see apexnc.org.
MORRISVILLE
The Town of Morrisville celebrates on July 3 with the Independence Day Fireworks Show, at Morrisville Community Park.
The music will start at 7 p.m., and you can bring your blankets, chairs and snacks to enjoy till the night sky lights up with a fireworks spectacular.
On July 4, join in a yummy way to celebrate Independence Day: The traditional pancake breakfast prepared by local firefighters and served up at the Morrisville Fire Station 1 on Town Hall Drive, from 8 to 10 a.m.
Breakfast tickets are $1 for children and $3 for adults, and are available July 1-3 at Cedar Fork Community Center, Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center and the Parks Administration Building. Day-of tickets will be sold based on availability.
For more info, visit ci.morrisville.nc.us or call James Worsdale at (919) 463-7101.
HOLLY SPRINGS
Keeping the Fourth of July fun going, the Town of Holly Springs hosts its annual Independence Day celebration on July 5 each year. But this year there’s a new location for the event, now titled Festive Fifth on the Farm.
Sugg Farm Park, a former working farm that’s now part of the town’s parks and rec system, is the new site, which will sport 10 food vendors, inflatables, a cornhole tourney, potato sack races, crafts and live entertainment.
Festivities begin at 5 p.m., and the evening wraps up with fireworks, scheduled for approximately 9:15 p.m.
Sugg Farm Park is located at the end of Grigsby Avenue, adjacent to Bass Lake Park. Town officials tell us that the fireworks should also be visible from Bass Lake and other nearby areas.
For info, see hollyspringsnc.us.
FUQUAY-VARINA
The Town of Fuquay-Varina will celebrate Independence Day on July 3, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at South Park.
Join the 12,000 folks expected to come out for a free concert by Spare Change, followed by fireworks at nightfall.
Check out details at fuquay-varina.org.
GARNER
For more on-the-3rd fun, join the Town of Garner and the North Carolina Symphony at Lake Benson Park for the annual Independence Day celebration on July 3. Gates open at 5 p.m.
Fun for kids and grownups, the evening includes live music by The Central Park Band, concessions, an adventure zone with inflatables, bingo, crafts and more.
Then sit back and relax as Garner’s own Arlie Honeycutt, Miss North Carolina 2012, sings the national anthem with the symphony, followed by a full Independence Day concert before a spectacular fireworks show takes to the skies.
Shuttles to the park are available from Bryan Farm at 1832 New Bethel Church Road, and handicap-accessible and general parking is located at Lake Benson Park.
For more info, visit garnernc.gov or call (919) 773-4442.
NEARBY
Get “The Works” in downtown Raleigh on July 4 from noon to 11 p.m., as the capital city celebrates Independence Day with live music, beer/wine tent, kids’ rides and games, Circus Maximus, street performers, eating contests, art vendors and more.
Fireworks will light up the sky over The Duke Energy Center for the
Performing Arts starting around 9:30 p.m.
Looking for stadium fireworks? Both the Carolina Mudcats and the Durham Bulls will host fireworks displays after their home baseball games on July 4.
