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Tweetsie Illuminates the Sky with Annual Fireworks Extravaganza; Fireworks and Wild West Fun July 4

June 23, 2014. Celebrate America¹s birthday in true Wild West style at Tweetsie Railroad’s annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza. North Carolina’s first theme park will light up the sky and guests¹ faces with the High Country’s most popular fireworks show, along with Wild West adventure, family fun and entertainment all day and night long on Friday, July 4, 2014. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Tweetsie’s dazzling display of fireworks of more than 200 large-caliber mortar shells not only commemorates the nation’s imgresindependence but also another special milestone ­ the park’s 58th season. Tweetsie Railroad opened on July 4, 1957 with a one-mile train ride that took guests to a picnic area and then backed up into the Tweetsie train station. The park was a dream of Grover Robbins, Jr., who brought the only surviving East Tennessee and Western North Carolina narrow-gauge steam locomotive, Engine Number 12, back home to the mountains of North Carolina. Tweetsie Railroad has added attractions and special events with each passing season and continues to delight new generations of visitors.

Tweetsie will stay open until 9 p.m. on July 4 in honor of the festivities. Hop aboard the train, as Tweetsie’s historic steam-powered locomotive takes you on an unforgettable and scenic three-mile Wild West adventure; and explore the streets of Tweetsie Railroad’s very own Western town. Looking to strike gold? Try your hand at panning for gold at Miner’s Mountain, and don’t forget to visit the Deer Park Zoo to get to know the animal residents, including deer, emus, goats, burros and llamas.

Parking for the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza is $5 per vehicle, but Tweetsie¹s Golden Rail Season Pass holders park for free. In the event of severe inclement weather, the fireworks show will be rescheduled for Saturday, July 5. Guests that want an up close and personal view of the pyrotechnics can opt for a dinner-and-show premium spectator area in the Hacienda, complete with a buffet dinner that has all the trimmings. Dinner tickets are $14.95 for adults and $9.95 for children ages 3 through 12 and can be purchased at the park on July 4. Children 2 and under are admitted free.

Tweetsie Railroad is open seven days a week from May 30 through Aug. 17. The park returns to the weekend schedule from Aug. 18 through Nov. 2, including Labor Day Monday. The 2014 season ends Sunday, Nov. 2. The park’s regular hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but will be open until 9:00 p.m. on July 4 for the Fireworks Extravaganza and July 5, 12, 19 and 26 for Cool Summer Nights. Daily admission to Tweetsie Railroad is $39 for adults and $26 for children ages 3 through 12. Children 2 and under are admitted free. The Ghost Train® Halloween Festival will take place Friday and Saturday nights Sept. 26 through Nov. 1 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., when admission is $31 for adults and children. Tickets and Golden Rail Season Passes are available at Tweetsie.com.

Tweetsie Railroad is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains on U.S. Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. For more information about the 2014 season at Tweetsie Railroad, visit Tweetsie.com or call 877.TWEETSIE (877.893.3874). Find Tweetsie on Facebook or follow Tweetsie on Twitter @TweetsieRR.