Brattonsville
Find out during Celebrate American Independence, a three-day living history event, at Historic Brattonsville on July 2-4.

This special weekend will be filled with fun and activities for the entire family as costumed interpreters show how people in 1840s South Carolina recognized the birth of our nation.

Hours on July 2 & 4 are from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with scheduled events beginning at 11:00 a.m., and hours on July 3 are from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with scheduled events beginning at 1:30 p.m. Each day visitors will see different presentations and scenarios such as firing demonstrations, militia drills, readings, period dancing, recruitment speeches and ongoing demonstrations such as children’s games, era music, and cooking unique foods. Call ahead for a list of activities scheduled for each day.

Celebrate American Independence at Historic Brattonsville is a patriotic living history weekend for the entire family to enjoy. Visit on July 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., July 3 from 1:00pm-4:00pm, and July 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Regular admission applies ($6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 students, and free to children under 5 and Culture & Heritage Museum members).

For more information about Historic Brattonsville, call 803.684.2327 or visit us online at www.chmuseums.org.

Belmont
Celebrate America! July 4th Concert & Fireworks featuring the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra and an unforgettable 30-minute fireworks display at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden located at 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012

The event begins at 4 p.m. Admission is free to Garden members and children 3 and under, $10/adults, $5/children ages 4-12. Parking is free.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 704-825-4490 or www.dsbg.org

Uptown Charlotte
SkyShow 2005 is a free celebration from 2 p.m. until midnight at Mint Street, between 1st and 3rd. It will offer attractions for everyone from children to veterans.

For children, the CMS Kids Zone will include giant slides, inflatable and hands on games. The Sharpie/Expo Extreme Sports Zone will feature skaters from SouthTown Riders performing extreme sports shows throughout the day. The Charlotte Copy Data's Military Museum exhibit will give all attendees a chance to view historic aircrafts, U.S. artifacts and take part in Carolina's military history. In the Ferguson Enterprises Heating and Cooling Division and Mitsubishi Ductless HVAC Cool Zone there will be mist tents and water activities for all to use. The Jeep Veterans VIP area will be exclusive to veterans and their families; there will be snacks and activities.

SkyShow 2005 will present entertainment throughout the day featuring bands such as Edwin McCain at 4:00 pm, Survivor at 6:00 pm and the headlining act Loverboy at 8:00 pm. After the grand fireworks display Cherrybomb will take the stage. All entertainment will perform on the main stage located at the corner of Mint St. and 3rd St.

Gastonia
Fireworks will light up the sky in Downtown Gastonia on the Fourth of July scheduled to be celebrated at 9:15 p.m. or shortly thereafter on Monday, July 4.

Fireworks are set off near the Gastonia Police Department at 200 E. Long Ave., and the display is visible throughout the downtown area. Gastonia’s fireworks show annually draws about 30,000 spectators to the downtown area.

This year at 8 p.m. WGNC 1450 AM will play dance music at the Rotary Centennial Pavilion, followed by patriotic music played over the radio during the fireworks display.

Hickory
Come and enjoy the City of Newton's July 4th Celebration" with games, live entertainment, special attractions and fireworks at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds -- home of the annual county fair -- off Hwy. 70 West in Newton on Monday, July 4, 2005.

The annual July 4th Celebration is sponsored by the City of Newton and the Hickory American Legion. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. and the entertainment will begin at 5:00 p.m. A gigantic fireworks display by L & N Productions will begin around 9:00 p.m. A fee of $5.00 per car will be charged to enter the fairgrounds.

The celebration will kickoff with THE ENTERTAINERS beginning at 5:00 p.m. and end with the COASTLINE BAND performing at 9:30 p.m.

Other activities will include a visit from Sparky the Fire Dog and Police Talking Car, an opportunity to tour the City of Newton Fire Safety Trailer, and a Nextel Cup Series Car. Food vendors will be available for your favorite drinks, candy apples, turkey legs, bratwurst, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, funnel cakes, cotton candy, French fries, popcorn, ice cream, nachos, shaved ice and much more.

Come and celebrate with games, live entertainment, special attractions, and fire works at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds. For additional information on the July 4th Celebration event, please contact the Newton Parks and Recreation Department at 828-695-4317.

Kannapolis
Celebrate Independence Day with the Charlotte Symphony this Friday, July 1 at 7 pm in Village Park off Dale Earnhardt Boulevard at West C Street in downtown Kannapolis. Enjoy a free evening of your favorite patriotic music and fireworks.

The pre-show featuring local pianist John Troutman starts at 7 pm. At 8:15 pm, The Symphony, performing one of only two July 4th concerts in the Charlotte area, will perform patriotic classics like “The Star Spangled Banner,” the “Armed Forces Salute” and Sousa’s “The Liberty Bell March.” Movie-themed selections by John Williams from “The Patriot” and “Far and Away” as well as classical pieces like Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” will be also performed. At 9:20 pm, witness a fireworks extravaganza finale.

Hamburgers, hotdogs and coke products will be for sale for $1. Face painting will be $1. For $5, personal caricatures will be drawn. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. No pets, grills or alcohol allowed. Parking is available across the street from Village Park. A free shuttle service will be available from the parking areas to the park.

For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 704-920-4343 or visit www.cityofkannapolis.com.

Lake Norman
Lake Norman Annual 4th of July Fireworks and Extravaganza & Celebration will be held Monday, July 4th. Activities will take place in two different Venues: Birkdale Village & Kenton Place. Birkdale will kickoff the activities from 11:00am-2:00pm with Hero Parade, Fireman's Face-off Water Challenge and a Patriotic Pet Contest. Huntersville Parks and Recreation will sponsor 4th of July Children's Art provided by Children's Arts Project.

Activities move over to Kenton Place from 5:00-11:00pm. There will be children's amusements, games, face and hair painting, flex flying, children's art, vendors and a variety of food and beverage concessions. Two stages will accommodate bands all night long. Bring the whole family and enjoy the largest fireworks display north of Charlotte at 9:30pm.