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Ready to Celebrate? Here’s Your Guide to Fourth of July Festivities in the High Country

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Town of Boone Fourth of July Parade 2014

Compiled by Katie Benfield and Jessica Isaacs

How will you celebrate the Fourth of July this year? Communities throughout the High Country are hosting get-togethers all weekend long. Whether you’re in Watauga, Avery or Ashe counties, there’s something FUN lined up near you! Pack your coolers and grab the lawn chairs — here’s you’re guide for making plans this holiday weekend.

 

PARADE, FESTIVITIES, FIREWORKS: Boone

Celebrate Independence Day with the Town of Boone on Saturday! Events begin at 11 a.m. on King Street with the annual parade. Jane Ann Hodges, who recently retired after serving as Watauga County elections director for 29 years, will serve as grand marshal. The Watauga Community Band will provide live music throughout the parade in front of the Jones House. Enjoy Stick Boy cake and watermelon on the Jones House lawn with Mayor Andy Ball and other town staff. Festivities pick up at 7 p.m. at Clawson-Burnley Park with music by DJ Carl. Bring chairs and blankets and stay for the fireworks! Call 828-268-6280 for more information.

Parade: 11 a.m. on King Street, traveling east from the Poplar Grove extension to the ASU Legends parking lot on Hardin Street.

Fireworks: Around 9:30 p.m. at Clawson-Burnley Park

 

PARADE, FESTITIES, FIREWORKS: Blowing Rock

Downtown Blowing Rock will host its annual Fourth of July festival and Independence Day Parade from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, which will include park games, watermelon eating contests, horseshoe tournaments, face painting, sing-alongs and live music. For more information, call 828-295-4636 or click here.

Parade: 2 p.m. on Main Street

Fireworks: 9:30 p.m. at the Blowing Rock Country Club

 

FESTIVITIES, FIREWORKS: Pig Roast at Beech Mountain

The Beech Mountain Ski Resort will host its 47th annual Pig Roast on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. with fireworks after dark. The menu will include pork and turkey barbecue slow cooked over hickory charcoal with all of the fixings, sweet tea and lemonade. Activities include: fireworks, games for kids, a raffle, face painting, concessions, music, dancing and scenic mountain lift rides for $10 at the resort. Advanced tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for kids under 7. Tickets include free parking, a meal, music, games and fireworks. Purchase them at Beech Mountain Chamber, Fred’s General Mercantile, Beech Mountain Club, Buckeye Rec Center or online here. Tickets at the door will be $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 7. Call 828-387-9283 for more information.

Fireworks: after dark

 

FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA at Tweetsie Railroad

Join the annual Fireworks Extravaganza at Tweetsie Railroad on Saturday. The park will remain open until 9 p.m. and fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. $10 per car to view the fireworks, no parking charge for Golden Rail season pass holders. Enjoy the premium dinner and fireworks viewing in the hacienda at $15 for adults, $10 for children (3-12) and free for ages 2 and under. Dinner includes a buffet of chicken and barbecue with all the trimmings. Get your tickets at the ticket office. For more information, click here.

Fireworks: 9:30 p.m.

 

PARADE, FESTIVITIES: Banner Elk

Celebrate Independence Day with the town of Banner Elk! The parade begins at 11 a.m. and ends at Tate Evans Park where the “Party in the Park” will ensue. This celebration will include fun games, great food and the legendary “Great American Duck Races” all day long. Want to join in on the parade? No registration is required. Meet for lineup at 10 a.m. For more information, call 828-898-5398 or click here.

Parade: 11 a.m., begins at Lees-McCrae College on Main Street and ends at Tate-Evans Park

 

PARADE, FESTIVITIES: The Liberty Parade in Todd

The annual Liberty Parade will take place on Saturday in Todd starting at 11 a.m. Elkland Art Center invites you to join the parade and will provide costumes, giant puppets and props for people of all ages and abilities who would like to participate. You are welcome to bring your own instruments as well. The theme of this year’s parade is “justice for all” and it is open to adults and children ages 12 and up who are accompanied by an adult. Join the lineup at 10:30 a.m. to be part of the parade. The parade lasts about 45 minutes and food is available by purchase. After the parade, festivities will take place in the Walter and Annie Cook Park.

Parade: 11 a.m., begins at the corner of Highway 194 N. and Railroad Grade Road

 

PARADE, FESTIVITIES, FIREWORKS: Crossnore

Join the annual Fourth of July celebration in Crossnore on Saturday from 10 a.m. until dark. This event will include the following activities: the frog jumping contest, cake walks, arts and crafts for kids, parades, street dances, a hamburger cookout, spectacular fireworks and much more! The event is sponsored by the volunteer fire department. HandMade in America and the Crossnore School are excited to present the town’s first Craft Fair at 10 a.m. in the Sales Store parking lot. For more information, click here.

Parade: 4 p.m.

Street Dance: 7 p.m.

Fireworks: nightfall

 

FESTIVITIES, FIREWORKS: Ashe County

Celebrate the Fourth with the Ashe County Parks and Recreation Department at Ashe County Park. Gates open at noon for parking. Shuttles will provide transportation to and from the courthouse for free beginning at 4 p.m. and will run before and after fireworks. Inflatable rides open at 3 p.m. (purchase a $5 wristband to participate). Concessions and Italian ice will be available. Live music at the Russ Blevins Shelter begins at 6 p.m. and fireworks will follow after dark. Bring your own food and drinks. No alcoholic beverages. No pets. For more information, call 336-982-6185 or click here.

Fireworks: nightfall

 

SAFETY FEST in the Town of Seven Devils

The 12th Annual Safety Fest will be held in the town of Seven Devils on Saturday. The festival will include a barbecue dinner, a raffle, a craft show and a silent auction, along with fun games and activities for kids.

The options for the dinner include “eating in” at the Town Hall or stopping by for “carry out.” The dinner will include pork barbecue, a roll, coleslaw, a drink and dessert. Dinner for adults is $8 and dinner for children (under 12) is $5. Meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The crafts how will take place between 10 a.m and 3 p.m.

Silent auction items will include: Adventure Packages, Entertainment Packages, “Taste of the High Country” Packages, theater tickets (Lees McRae Summer Theatre, Appalachian Summer Festival), and many other items. The bids for the silent auction will end at 2:30 p.m. on July 4.

Raffle winners will be announced every hour. Some items up for winning include: Philips 40’’HD/LED Smart TV, Porch rocker, Keurig K-Cup Coffee Maker, George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Grill with Stand and a Tanger Outlets gift card. Raffle tickets are available for purchase now at the Town Hall.

Along with this, there will be live music from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m by the Grass County Line. You are welcome to bring a chair or a blanket to sit on, relax and enjoy the music.

Directions: Turn off of Highway 105 S. by the Skyline Telephone and Hess Station onto Seven Devils Road and drive up to the top of the mountain for a day of fun and good food!

For more information, call the Town Hall at 828-963-5343.

 

FESTIVITIES: Christmas in July, downtown West Jefferson

Join the 29th annual Christmas in July festival in downtown West Jefferson from 6-10 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. You can enjoy: Christmas tree competitions, more than 100 craft and nonprofit vendors, various children’s activities, live music, the farmer’s market, local talent on the community stage, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Civil War re-enactments, street performers and more. Skybest Communications will provide free WiFi at the event. Happy Tails Rescue of West Jefferson will be offering pet sitting services for your convenience. To learn more, call 336-846-9196 or click here.

 

FESTIVITIES: Crossnore Christmas in July

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Snowy Mountain Christmas Shop and Sweets on Highway 221 S. in Crossnore will host an inventory clearance Christmas in July sale. All local crafters and artisans are welcome all week. Check out the ice cream shop, sweets and coffee. For more information, call 828-737-9313.

 

EVENING PROGRAMS on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Catch “Wilderness Skills: What to Do When …” at 7 p.m. at the Linville Falls Campground Amphitheater, MP 316. Learn how to handle a meeting with wildlife that will ensure you and the wildlife remain unharmed. Or, join “Coyotes in Our Midst” at 7 p.m. at the Crabtree Falls Campground Amphitheater, MP 340 to learn about this fascinating creature and how to handle an encounter with one. Both events are expected to last 45 minutes and are free and open to the public.