Fourth of July one-tank trips
By From staff reports
Published in News on July 2, 2010 1:46 PM
CLIFFS OF THE NEUSE STATE PARK
The Cliffs will have stargazing from 8:30 to 10 p.m. today. Come to the cliffs and see the stars, constellations and maybe some planets. A guide will talk about the stars and let you view them through a telescope.
You may bring your own telescope or binoculars if you have them. Meet in the field just to the left of the park entrance. This program is cloud-dependent. Wear bug spray. Free. Information: 919-778-6234.
Hawks, eagles, falcons and owls are the raptors that fly in the North Carolina Sky. Celebrate Independence Day and join a ranger to learn about some of the raptors on the park July 3. Meet at the museum for a mile hike to some open spotting areas. Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather. Free. Information: 919-778-6234.
SMITHFIELD
The Downtown Smithfield Development Corp. and Smithfield Parks and Recreation will host Smithfield's annual Independence Celebration at the Historical Smithfield Town Commons Monday beginning at 5 p.m. There will be games and musical entertainment for the entire family.
It will conclude with a traditional fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
Entertainment will include Ragged Company from 5 to 6 p.m. and Coco Loco from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.
New this year will be a free scoop of ice cream to any veteran or active duty military person, provided by Orchard House Books and Coffee and limited to the first 500 individuals who show a valid veteran or active duty identification.
As an added treat, the Smithfield Kiwanis Quartet will perform various patriotic tunes during the fireworks display.
The Smithfield Town Commons is located on Front Street in Downtown Smithfield.
For more information, call 919-934-0887 or log onto www.downtownsmithfield.com.
NEW BERN
In addition to celebrating the country's birthday, New Bern is also celebrating its 300th birthday. The city has several events planned for July 4. Here's what's on the schedule:
Today
Throughout the day there will be self-guided Revolutionary War and Early Nationhood tours. Packets may be picked up at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, the Pepsi Store at the corner of Middle and Pollock or Tryon Palace visitor center at Pollock and George streets.
At 6 p.m. "The Making of the State -- First Provincial Congress" will be shown at Tryon Palace Theater.
Saturday
Self-guided Revolutionary War and Early Nationhood tours will be offered all day.
Beginning at 9 a.m., Tryon Palace will offer free general admission the entire day. There will be a Colonial concert at 11 a.m., a celebration of the Declaration until 2 p.m., crafts and children's activities until 2 p.m., a mock cannon loading demonstration until 2 p.m. and Colonial cricket lawn games until 4 p.m.
At 11 a.m. there will be a fife and drum performance and the reading of the Declaration at Tryon Palace.
A Peace and Love concert will be held at Union Point Park from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
And from 7 to 9 p.m., there will be a Legends of Beach concert at Union Point Park.
Sunday
Visitors may take self-guided Revolutionary War and Early Nationhood tours all day.
New Bern's churches will ring their bells at 12:30 p.m.
There will be family activities at Union Point Park beginning at 12:30 p.m.
At 1 p.m. at Union Point Park, there will be the Guiness World Record Barbecue Bun event.
A 19th-century town celebration will be held at New Bern Academy Green from 1 to 4 p.m. Also from 1 to 4 p.m., there will be free garden admission at Tryon Palace.
The reading of the Declaration will take place at 2:30 p.m. at New Bern Academy.
From 6 to 7 p.m. at Union Point Park, there will be a concert by Craven Brass Quintet and Tuba Four.
The New Bern 300th Anniversary Air Show will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m., featuring aerobatics, world flying champions, sky diving, wing walking, helicopter rides and more at Union Point Park.
From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., Craven Brass Quintet and Tuba Four will perform at Union Point Park.
The celebration will conclude at 9:30 p.m. with a fireworks spectacular at Union Point Park.
For more information about any of New Bern's July 4 events, call 252-635-1710 or log onto www.newbern300th.com.
GREENVILLE
The July 4 celebration will be held Sunday at Town Common with carnival rides, arts and crafts, music, vendors, food and a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
RALEIGH
The Joel Lane Museum House will have an old-fashioned Independence Day July 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be hands-on history demonstrations, children's activities, reenactments and live music.
The museum is located at 728 W. Hargett St. Free. Information: 919-833-3431.
Ray Price Harley-Davidson will host a Fourth of July Celebration July 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring food, beverages, music and more.
The 2010 Independence Day Celebration at the fairgrounds will be held July 4 and will feature a variety of free activities for young and old alike. There will be crafts, dance, a nature program, a Taiko Japanese drumming performance and special displays by the Raleigh police and fire departments. Concluding the festivities will be a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.
FAYETTEVILLE
Celebrate Independence Day July 4 at Ft. Bragg with a variety of activities, including entertainers, a free fall parachute demonstration, fireworks and more.
The concert headliner will be Chevelle, a rock band that has sold two million albums in the United States.
There will also be children's events, military demonstrations and other activities. And it's all free.
For more information and a schedule of events, call 910-396-1024 or log onto www.fortbraggmwr.com.
The 3rd annual Freedom Bike Fest will be held through July 4 at The Dog House Bar and Grill.
There will be live music throughout the day and all night. There will also be daily bike shows, biker olympics, FMX stunt rides, extreme sky divers, celebrity bike builders, daily benefit rides, food vendors and more. Information: 910-396-1024 or log onto www.freedombikefest.com.
ATLANTIC BEACH
The annual Independence Day Celebration will be held July 4 with sun, fun, fireworks, music, dancing and more.
Sammy O'Banion and the Night Shift Band will play from 7 to 11 p.m. with a break at 9 p.m. for the fireworks display. Take your beach chairs and blankets and enjoy the show. Information: www.atlanticbeach-nc.com.
Fort Macon State Park will have a day full of activities Sunday for the holiday. A cannon crew of volunteers in period attire will explain the loading and firing of a typical War Between the States field piece. There will be an actual firing. Information: 252-726-3775.
BEAUFORT
The annual Fourth of July parade will be held Sunday at 11 a.m. There will be free ice cream and music at the Carteret County Courthouse. Information: 252-728-3917.
There will also be a July 4 Arts and Crafts Show Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Beaufort Historic Site, 100 block of Turner St., sponsored by the Carteret County Arts and Crafts Coalition. Information: collier1505@embarqmail.com.
MOREHEAD CITY
The Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor a July 4 celebration Sunday. The Seaside Band will perform from 7 to 11 p.m. at Jaycee Park at 9th and Shepard streets. Vendors will be on hand with refreshments. The Carolina Beach Club Band will perform at the park Saturday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. from Sugarloaf Island. Information: 252-726-5083.
EMERALD ISLE
The July 4 fireworks over Bogue Sound at Chapel By The Sea will be held at 9 p.m. Sunday.
CARY
Join the North Carolina Symphony for an Independence Day concert at Koka Booth Amphitheatre at 8003 Regency Parkway at 7:30 p.m. July 4. There will also be other activities and fireworks from 3 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. Information: 919-462-2052.
LAKE WACCAMAW
Join the patriotic celebration Saturday at 11 a.m. with red, white and blue birds at Lake Waccamaw State Park. You will be able to identify common red, white and blue birds. Information: 910-646-4748.
FORT FISHER AQUARIUM
The aquarium will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4 and will offer a behind-the-scenes tour at 1 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at an aquarium? Space for animal holding, husbandry, life support systems and access to exhibits is hidden behind the aquarium walls. Accompany aquarium staff on a guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation and access areas.
The cost of the tour is $15 for ages 13 and older and $13 for ages 8 through 12. Aquarium admission is included. Information: www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher.