CHARLOTTE – The 4th of July is celebrated each year since 1941, but why?
It is known as Independence Day, which was declared a federal holiday in 1941 but the celebration dates back to the 18th century. The traditional holiday represents events that took place on July 2, 1776, when the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from each of the 13 colonies were able to adopt the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is a historical document that was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and from 1776 to this day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American Independence. Each year the celebrations include activities ranging from concerts to parades, to picnics and most iconically the FIREWORKS.
The area’s biggest 4th of July events are BACK!
The Town of Waxhaw annual Fourth of July parade will be held downtown on Independence Day, July 4th, at 10 AM on Main Street in Waxhaw, NC.
Kicking it off again with a huge celebration is the U.S. National Whitewater Center. They will be hosting a two-day event that takes place on Sunday, July 3rd, and Monday, July 4th. The celebration includes yoga and live music along with all the activities that the center has to offer. Enjoy a day full of fun activities from whitewater rafting to wall climbing, land or water, the fun just never seems to stop at the center. Unfortunately, the U.S. National Whitewater Center will not be hosting a firework show this year, due to “Due to multiple abrupt changes in the firework permitting process prescribed by Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte, the Whitewater Center will no longer feature a fireworks display on Sunday, July 3rd or Monday, July 4th, 2022.” The festival is free, even the yoga. Parking is $6.00 per car and the activities at the center for the land and water activities are their regular price. Don’t miss out on this celebration it is always fun for all. For hours and details on the celebration visit them at https://center.whitewater.org/festival/fourth-of-july-celebration/.
Fishing is an event that everyone in the family can enjoy. Across the state, July 4th is always Free Fishing Day. Everyone in the family is able to fish for free in any public body of water without a license. Now keep in mind that all other regulations regarding lure restrictions and size limitations will still apply. If you don’t own any fishing equipment many facilities have a tackle loan program that is a great way to take advantage of the day without having to either own the equipment or bring it along. Fishing is a great way to share the fun with friends and family.
One of the area’s largest firework shows is returning to Charlotte this year. Truist field will be hosting a home game for the Team USA Baseball and after the game on Monday, July 4th the SkyShow will start. The game will start at 6:05 PM and tickets can be purchased at https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/BuyNew.asp?EventID=328126#. Tickets are on sale now and they may go quickly. If you are not able to attend the game, the show will be visible from Romare Bearden Park.
Carowinds will be putting on a three-night show, Saturday, July 2, Sunday, July 3, and Monday, July 4. The firework show will be accompanied by an all-American soundtrack that will create a patriotic celebration that is going to be amazing. The fireworks will be visible throughout the park but the best viewing areas will be from Carolina Boardwalk, County Fair, and Celebration Plaza. Each night the celebration will begin at 9:30 PM. Guests are promised to be mesmerized by vivid bursts of color lighting up the night sky. Tickets and more information about the three-day celebration can be found at https://www.carowinds.com/events/july-4-fireworks.
The Town of Matthews Recreation and Cultural Resource Department is inviting the community to an Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 2. The celebration will begin in Stumptown Park at 6:00 PM (120 S. Trade Street.) The celebration will begin will hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, and some family fun. After all the fun and food from 7:00 PM til 9:00 PM, the Next Level Band will perform a live concert. After the concert has concluded guests will be invited to move to MARA (Arthur Goodman Park, 1200 S. Trade Street) and the Matthews United Methodist Church (801 S. Trade Street) to view the firework show. It will begin at 9:30 PM. This is sure to be a great event and for more information visit https://www.matthewsnc.gov/newsview.aspx?nid=6745.
Each year the celebrations around town are amazing. Be sure to get out and enjoy what our surrounding community has to offer this year for July 4th, 2022. It is sure to be a blast. We, The Mint Hill Times want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe 4th of July!
