Plenty to Celebrate! Independence Day Celebrations

Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: 2021/06 – June

While all upcoming summer events are dependent on Governor Roy Cooper’s pandemic-related restrictions, July Fourth 2021 is promising to be much more of a “normal” celebration time after 2020’s pause.

In Highlands, on Independence Day, activities galore are planned: games, singing choirs, hotdogs, outdoor concerts, flag waving, fireworks, and much more!

Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s Visit Highlands, NC, will be providing live music all weekend as well as the Fireworks Finale. The music begins on Friday, July 2, at 6:00 P.M. with the Foxfire Boys at Town Square on Main Street and continues on Saturday at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park with Blaze the City, which spotlights vocal harmonies and funky dance rhythms playing pop, funk, rock, country, blues and Motown. 

On Saturday, July 3, attention shifts to the Town Ballfield. 

First up, it’s the Boy Scouts’ Water Rocket Launch from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. 

Once the launch site has been cleared and the scouts have changed into dry clothes, everyone is invited to participate in Traditional Field Games from 11:00 A.M. to noon.

That should ensure that everyone is good and hungry for the town’s Hot Dog Lunch from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. 

From noon to 1:00 P.M., the MAMA (Mountain Area Medical Airlift) Helicopter and its crew will land and present a close-up view to the public. 

The Rotary Duck Derby will be staged at Mill Creek from 1:30 to 2:30 P.M.

This year’s July Fourth band will be Moon Dance, a band specializing in tributes to each decade with music from the 1950s to the 2000s; this concert is also at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park starting at 6:00 P.M. 

In Cashiers, Village on the Green is still on pause regarding July Fourth fireworks and festivities. However, Sapphire Valley will host its Yankee Doodle Dandy Day on July Fourth, which includes a cake walk, inflatables for kids, duckie derby, etc. Wristbands will be available to purchase for activities and food. A band will be performing throughout the day. 

And Town and Country General Store in Cashiers is hosting Mile High Band, from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. on July 3.

Lake Glenville is going forward with its annual fireworks display. The 24th Annual Friends of Lake Glenville Fireworks Over The Lake will be held on Saturday, July 3, at approximately 9:30 PM. People can either gather safely and responsibly in their watercrafts or find an ideal site on land to celebrate America’s Independence Day. The fireworks will be launched from The Pointe, which is just north of Trillium on the west side of Lake Glenville. Law enforcement will be monitoring watercraft to make sure that people are maintaining safety on the lake.