Near and far, holiday fun easy to find
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on July 2, 2006 2:09 AM
Fourth of July revelers will have plenty of chances to celebrate the nation's birthday in Wayne and Duplin counties this week, with fireworks displays, celebrations and other special events highlighting the holiday.
Goldsboro residents can catch the fireworks display at the Berkeley Mall parking lot Tuesday evening at 9. Airmen on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base also will be able to see the show.
The Faison Baptist Church also will hold a celebration with fireworks Tuesday. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with food, games and music at the church, located at 511 W. Main St. Admission is free and the fireworks will begin after sundown in the church parking lot.
In Mount Olive, while no fireworks are scheduled to fly for the Fourth of July celebration, officials said there will be plenty of other activities for residents to enjoy.
The Mount Olive Exchange Club, with help from other organizations and businesses in Mount Olive, will sponsor an event in Westbrook Park off North Breazeale Avenue that will include a parade of children's decorated bikes, wagons and other vehicles. The program is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.
Other activities are being held across the eastern part of the state as well.
The North East Ruritan Club will also sponsor a celebration beginning at 11 a.m. at the Community Park on N.C. 42 east between Wallace and Chinquapin. Admission is $5 and proceeds will go towards completion of the park. There will be free hot dogs and hamburgers for ticket holders, entertainment and several give-aways.
The Cliffs of the Neuse State Park will be open Tuesday, with camping available and free swimming over at the 11-acre man-made lake, but park officials said the water level in the lake is still too low for diving and boating.
In Raleigh, free Fourth of July celebrations will be held at the State Capitol and at the Museum of History from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. For information about the events, call 919-807-7900 or 919-733-4994.
Later in the day Tuesday, the Independence Day Concert and Fireworks begin at 7:30 in the Booth Amphitheater and a free show will be held at the State Fairgrounds at 9:15 p.m. For information, call 919-831-6640.
Finally, in Morehead City, a fleet of sailing ships are expected to draw thousands of visitors throughout the week. The festivities will include a "pirate" encampment in the 100 block of Turner Street, a race on Monday and a parade featuring the crew members of the various ships on Tuesday. At 9:30 p.m. there will be a fireworks display that is expected to be the largest in Carteret County's history.