Go Fourth on the Mountain
Independence Day festivities abound in the High Country

By Frank Ruggiero

The bumper stickers say, “Freedom isn’t free.”

Fortunately, that’s not the case with parades and fireworks.

This Saturday is Independence Day, and the High Country is ringing in the Fourth with a star-spangled show of parades, fireworks, music, magic, festivals and food.

Boone
In downtown Boone, the fun starts at 1 p.m. at the Jones House Community Center, located at 604 W. King St., with summer interns from the Blowing Rock Stage Company performing Jack in the Park, an adaptation of the traditional Jack Tales. Famed storyteller Orville Hicks will then offer his own take on Jack, as well as sign copies of his books.

At 2 p.m., the Watauga Community Band will perform patriotic songs in preparation for the Boone parade at 3 p.m., and watermelon will be served to help parade-goers beat the heat.

Shortly after dark, fireworks will launch from the Clawson Burnley Park off Hunting Hills Lane in Boone, and a DJ will play music near Watauga County Parks and Recreation’s swim complex. Some parking will be available at the adjacent baseball fields.

However, Boone’s Fourth celebration begins on the third, with the Downtown Boone Art Crawl on Friday, starting at 5 p.m. and lasting until 2 a.m.

Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock’s celebration also starts on Friday, with live performers roving the downtown streets from 5 to 8 p.m. Along with live music, entertainers include award-winning magician Buddy “Mr. Magic” Farnan and Wacky-Do, the clowning balloon sculptor.

At Memorial Park, fun on the Fourth in Blowing Rock starts at 9 a.m. with an adult horse shoe tournament. The winner takes $75, and second place wins $50. From 10 to 11:30 a.m., children can partake in outdoor games at the downtown park, including a water balloon toss, watermelon eating contest and sack races. All day long, there will be inflatable playgrounds, a climbing tower and face painting.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Country Magic Cloggers will perform; from 12:30 to 1 p.m., there will be a magic show; and from 1 to 2 p.m., The Vagabonds will host a patriotic sing-along.

The parade kicks off at 2 p.m., and bluegrass favorites The Cockman Family will perform gospel numbers shortly thereafter. Fireworks will launch at 9:30 p.m. from the Blowing Rock Country Club, and Jennifer Brown, director of Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation, suggested people view the display from roadsides near the country club, such as Goforth.

The celebration continues on Sunday, with two bands performing in the downtown park. Diana and Sarvis Ridge will play from 2 to 4 p.m., and Sweet T will host a park dance from 5 to 9 p.m.

Tweetsie Railroad is keeping on track with tradition, remaining open until 9 p.m. and, at 9:30 p.m., launching more than 200 large-caliber pyrotechnic mortar shells into the skies above. Tweetsie is located at 296 Tweetsie Railroad Lane off U.S. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock.

Todd
In Todd, the Fourth starts at 10 a.m. with parade preparation. According to a release from the Todd Community Preservation Organization, “The Fourth of July in Todd is a little different.”

Those who arrive at 10 a.m. can don a hat or other costume, as well as hoist a banner or fish on a bamboo pole. “You could become a bit of the river or the mountains or the forest,” the release notes.

The Liberty Parade, organized by the Elkland Art Center, kicks off at 11 a.m., with an estimated 200 men, women and children marching down Railroad Grade Road from N.C. 194 to Todd’s historic district.

“It doesn’t take long, but it’s a lot of fun, and you can hear Elk Creek running down to the South Fork of the New River, when you stop to listen along the way,” the release reads.

Once the parade reaches Cook Memorial Park, it will shift gears to a celebration of the New River “and then a locally grown circus for all,” featuring giant puppets and copious refreshments.

Following the parade and celebration at 2 p.m., country band Buck Haggard will take the stage in Cook Park as part of the Todd Summer Music Series.

West Jefferson
Christmas comes early this year in Ashe County, with the annual Christmas in July festival on July 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown West Jefferson. This one-day only, free-admission event features traditional mountain music, handmade crafts from throughout the northwest mountains of North Carolina, and plenty of food, fun and festivities for the whole family.

Seven Devils
Safety is key on the Fourth, and Seven Devils is no exception, with the town hosting its sixth annual SafetyFest.
The event features a barbecue dinner, raffle, craft show and silent auction, and everyone is invited to eat in at the Seven Devils Town Hall, located at 1356 Seven Devils Road, or drop by for a carry-out order. The menu includes pork barbecue, rolls, baked beans, cole slaw, drinks and desserts, with adult dinners costing $7 and children’s (under 12) costing $5. Meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A craft show starts at 10 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m., silent auction items will be on display at the town hall, and raffle winners will be announced every hour.

Avery County
Avery County loves a parade. Many Avery communities are hosting their annual parades, starting with Newland’s at 9:15 a.m. The Riverwalk Festival, featuring an abundance of arts and crafts, will follow.

The Banner Elk Parade steps off at 11 a.m., with a Party in the Park to follow. Elk Park’s Parade kicks off at 11 a.m., with a picnic to follow, and the Minneapolis Parade starts at 1 p.m., also followed by a picnic. The Crossnore Parade starts at 4 p.m., followed by a festival and fireworks, and the Cranberry parade commences at 6 p.m., with a promise of barbecue afterwards.

Beech Mountain will go hog wild with its 49th annual Pig Roast and Fireworks. The town of Beech Mountain, the Beech Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce host the event.

“After years of perfecting the seasonings and charcoal blends, our barbecue is arguably the best in the High Country,” a spokesperson for the event said.

Children’s activities begin at 3:30 p.m., food is served at 5 p.m. with live music on the side, and fireworks start at dark. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for children 10 and under and are available at the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Fred’s General Mercantile and the gate.

See this week’s Focus section for more Fourth of July concerts and events.