Happy first day of July! Not a big surprise about what is going on in town this weekend – it is the fourth of July. I love this holiday, it is my totally patriotic side coming out, There is something about the music, food, fireworks and the ability to celebrate our freedom and those who have fought to protect it. A great new exhibit also opens this weekend at Discovery Place, Shipwreck! Pirates and Treasure – I can’t wait to see this one. A quick note about the programs with Park and Rec. – their E-parks registration site has been down but should be up and running today, so please double check all times of events. Have a very safe and happy 4th!
A quick reminder – don’t forget to register for the Run For Your Cause 4 miler. It is on July 11 at Run for Your Life Dilworth. This year, Run For Your Life Dilworth will celebrate it’s 20th anniversary with a new kick to the Run For Your Life 4 Miler – rather than proceeds going towards only one beneficiary, participants get to choose which cause receives their race proceeds! There is a 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run and a Baby Jogger Division. This is part of the Run For Your Life Grand Prix Series presented by Asics and it is the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Run For Your Life.
Celebrate America!
Symphony Park at SouthPark
July 3, 7:00pm
The Symphony’s most popular concert of the year. Albert-George Schram leads the orchestra in patriotic favorites, including “America the Beautiful,” “Armed Forces Salute,” Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” and Sousa’s “Liberty Bell March.” The concert culminates in an impressive array of fireworks. Get there very early in the day if you want a seat/picnic spot on the grounds!
Summer at the Backcountry Farm
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
July 1-5, Wed.-Sat., 10:00am-4:00pm; Sun., 1:00-4:00pm
Visit the Backcountry Farm to learn how animals, plants, and even the earth itself sustained the European Settlers of the Piedmont. Cost is $6-$10.
Icky Sticky Truth
McDowell Nature Preserve
July 3, 9:00am
Smelly scat, slimy slugs and slithering snakes…discover that everyone and everything plays an important and valuable role in the world as we explore the not so cuddly side of nature.
The Great Urban Escape
McDowell Nature Center
July 03, 7-9:30pm
Free for campground guests, and at a nominal charge for park visitors, families and adults can participate in a scavenger hunt and campfire at the McDowell campground.
Mr. Nigel’s Music & Friends Story Time
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
July 3, 11:15am
Have fun with Mr. Nigel as he sings, plays intruments and reads books. Children will have fun while learning!
SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure
Discovery Place
Opens July 04, Mon.-Fri., 9:30am-4pm; Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., Noon-5pm
Featuring hundreds of priceless artifacts and treasures recovered from deep-ocean archaeological excavations. This exhibit plunges guests beneath the sea to uncover the mysteries of some of the world’s most-famous shipwrecks. Through interactive, multimedia experiences, guests can experience the world of deep-ocean exploration and the thrill of uncovering history and treasure buried but not forgotten.
Bud ‘N’ Naturalists: Discovery Activities for Young Children
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
July 04, 9:30am-11:30am
Budding naturalists are invited to explore nature and history in the Bobcats Den. Kid-friendly activities and special programs are designed to promote experiential learning. Puzzles, live animals, games, discovery nooks and more await young children in this very special place to learn.
Celebrating American Independence
Historic Brattonsville
July 04, 10am-4pm
Participate in historic readings, militia muster and firearms demonstrations, cooking demonstrations and stories from slaves who were denied their own independence. Meet veterans of the American Revolution, as folks from the 1840’s honor their “greatest generation”. Cost is $3-$6.
Davidson Concert on the Green
Davidson Town Green
July 04, 6-8pm
Sundays from May through September, families bring blankets or chairs and a picnic dinner. Enjoy the music of Rough Draft. Pack your picnic dinner for the theme Patriotic…Red, White and You and enter the picnic contest.
Independence Day Afternoon Celebration
The Charlotte Museum of History
July 04, 10am-2pm
Colonial games and various family-friendly activities, in addition to the summer exhibition schedule. Bring a picnic lunch and have some fun before your regular nighttime festivities. Free admission!
Nature’s Fireworks: Butterflies and Bloom
Reedy Creek Nature Center
July 04, 10am-noon
Celebrate the U.S.A. with a natural display of color from local butterflies and blooms. Ages 5 and up. Cost is $3-$4.
Red Rocks, Whitewater & Blue Grass 4th of July Festival
National Whitewater Center
July 4, Starts at 12:00pm
The U.S. National Whitewater presents Red Rocks, Whitewater & Blue Grass 4th of July Festival! Come out for a day of Live Music, Food, Beer, Wine, Fireworks and activities for the whole family. After playing all day, sit back and relax while our FIREWORKS display lights up the sky.
Red, White & Boom!
Charlotte Memorial Stadium
July 4, 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Spend your Fourth of July with friends and family at Memorial Stadium for Red, White & Boom! Family-friendly activities will take place with fireworks blasting off at 9:30. It is $5 to park at Memorial Stadium.
Night of Fire
Carowinds
July 4, Fireworks begin at 10:00pm
Independence Day ends with Carowinds Night of Fire Celebration. See the largest fireworks celebration ever. This year’s fireworks will salute all areas of our military. There are events going on in the park through out the day and check there website for special ticket deals.
Fourth of July Celebration
Birkdale Village
July 4, 10:00am to 2:00pm
Birkdale Village and the town of Huntersville’s seventh annual celebration to include bike decorating, face painting, a clown bounce, children’s art, a parade and more.
