Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill 4th Of July Celebrations
It is hard to believe the 4th of July is already upon us! Here in the Triangle, NC area, there are numerous locations to relax and partake in Independence Day festivities, going from early in the day until late in the evening, all ending with spectacular firework displays.
If you are moving to Raleigh, NC and will be able to enjoy your first 4th of July with us, then you will want to check out the list of local entertainment and firework shows I have listed below.
Triangle Area Firework Displays
There seems to be nothing that quite captures the magic of the 4th of July like a spectacular firework show, and the Triangle Raleigh Durham area ranks at the top of my list for putting together amazing shows for all the local Triangle communities and neighborhoods. If you are relocating to the Raleigh community, be sure to check out my Interactive Raleigh Durham area map, or feel free to contact an expert Raleigh real estate agent to learn more.
Raleigh Area Communities
The following communities will be hosting impressive fireworks for the Raleigh real estate neighborhoods:
Raleigh, NC Area
Monday July 4, 2011
Cost: Free
Location: North Carolina State Fairgrounds 1025 Blue Ridge Blvd Raleigh, NC 27616
Activities go from 5:30-9:00pm and fireworks start at 9:45pm. Admission, parking and activities are free of charge. No pets, alcohol or coolers will be allowed. All activities will be held rain or shine on July 4th. In the event of inclement weather on July 4th only the fireworks will be held on July 5th at 9:45pm
There are also:
- Free Admission
- Free Parking
- Free Fireworks start at 9:45 pm
- Free Activities from 5-8:30 pm
Garner, NC Area
Sunday July 3, 2011
Cost: Free
Location: Celebrate Independence Day on July 3rd at Lake Benson Park! Gates open at 5 pm, and shuttles are available for parking. Liquid Pleasure musical entertainment starts at 5:30 pm and performances by the North Carolina Symphony, a 68 member professional orchestra, starts at 8 pm. You can also enjoy:
- Kids Adventure Zone from 5-8 pm
- Inflatable slides and bounce houses
- DJ with field games
- Obstacle course
- Laser tag
- Sun bonnet craft
- Sunglasses craft
- Mural wall painting
- Bingo
- Coloring pages and crayons
- Food booths by local non profits
- Spectacular fireworks at 9:30 pm
No alcohol, pets, glass containers, or BBQs.
Wake Forest, NC Area
Sunday July 3, 2011
Time: Gates open at 5pm
Cost: $5
Location: Heritage High School 1150 Forestville Road Wake Forest. Come celebrate the 4th of July in the wonderful Wake Forest, NC community.
- Concessions and tailgating
- Live music performances
- fireworks
- Children’s parade, starting at 10:30am
- “Art-in-the-Park”
- “Games-in-the-Park”: sack races, pie eating contest
- Fire truck on display
For more information, contact Rhonda Alderman at (919) 556-4436 or fireworklady@aol.com.
Fuquay-Varina, NC Area
Sunday July 3, 2011
Time: Gates open at 6pm
Location: South Park at 820 S. Main Street
Celebrate 4th of July at South Park in Fuquay-Varina, on Sunday July 3rd, 2011. Music, rides, inflatables, activities, and FIREWORKS are planned from 6pm through sundown.
- The Craig Woolard Band performs music beginning at 7pm.
- FREE inflatables, rides and activities
- Fireworks at sundown
- Bring a blanket or chair for the fireworks
Apex, NC Area
Monday July 4th, 2011
Cost: Free
Time: 9am to 1pm; events kick off with the American flag raising
Location: Historic Downtown Apex
- Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels at noon: decorate your bike, wagon, scooter, or anything non-motorized and participate in the parade!
- Apex Fire Department Splash Down
- Carnival games
- Music
- Concessions
- Cake walk
- Inflatables
- Climbing wall
- Clowns
- Jugglers
- Giant slide
- Karakoe by Skid Rowe
For more information contact Apex Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources at 249-1120.
Cary, NC Area
Sunday July 3, 2011 and Monday July 4, 2011; see costs and locations below by day:
Sunday July 3 2011 6:30 pm – Sertoma Independence Eve Celebration
Come to the Cary, NC community to enjoy the Cary Town Band as they help celebrate Independence Day at Fred G Bond Metro Park. Free, open to the public.
- Applause! Cary Youth Theatre touring troupe at 6:30 pm
- Shukran U.S.A. – 24th Annual Patriotic Celebration at 7:30 pm
Monday July 4th 2011, 8am – 3 pm – Independence Day Olde Time Celebration
- Parent-Child Fishing Tournament, 8-10 am
Parade in the Park, 10:15 am
Games and Competitions (Donut eating, Lakeside Olympics, Watermelon Eating, Watermelon Seed Spitting, and Water Balloon Toss.)
Food and Fun
Monday July 4th 2011, 7:30-10am – Fishing Tournament
Held at the Fred G Bond Metro Park, near the waterfront.
Registration starts 7:30 am
Prizes awarded for largest, smallest fish
Age groups: 0-10 yrs, 11-17 yrs, 18+ yrs
Monday July 4th 2011, 10:15 am – “Parade in the Park”
Held at the Fred G Bond Metro Park, at the waterfront.
- Drive, ride, or walk
- Starts at Kiwanis Shelter, ends at Boathouse
- Awards will be given
- Ages 0-10
Monday July 4th 2011 – July 4th Celebration at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Huge event starts at 3 pm. This is the big one!
- Gates Open to Blankets, Lawn Chairs, and Picnics, 3 pm
- Kids Zone at Lifetime Fitness, 3-7 pm
- Koka Kids Klub, Cresent Tier, 3-7 pm (magic, juggling, face painting, balloon artist)
- Indy Model Boat Regatta on Symphony Lake, 4 pm
- Frozen T-Shirt Contest, 4:30 pm
- Ice Cream Eating Contest, 5:30 pm
- Cary Town Band, Main Stage, 5:45 pm
- NC Symphony, Main Stage, 7:30 pm
- Fireworks immediately following concerts
For more information about 4th of July in Cary NC, call (919) 469-4061.
Holly Springs, NC Area
Tuesday July 5, 2011
Enjoy an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration with fireworks and other family fun Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at Womble Park from 5-9:30 p.m.
Location: Womble Park, 1201 Grigsby Avenue, near downtown Holly Springs, NC.
- Fireworks display
- Food Vendors will be present, or bring your own picnic basket and lawn chairs
- Patriotic bike and wagon parade (you can join the parade)
- Face painting
- Holly Springs’ Community Band and musical performances
For more information, call 919-557-3930.
Celebrate July 4th in Raleigh Real Estate Communities
As you can see, there are numerous choices to enjoy for your 4th of July celebrating! You could even celebrate all weekend, as some Raleigh area communities celebrate on the 3rd and others on the 4th. The most impressive fireworks seem to be at the Fairgrounds off Blue Ridge Road on the 4th, while the NC Symphony always performs the finest renditions of the Star Spangled Banner in Garner on the 3rd.
What are your favorite traditions and where will you be celebrating our country’s independence?
Until next time,
Ashley