The Kenan Stadium Fourth of July Celebration was the Best Ever

It is well known that our community is filled with opinionated people and I am one of them.  But, sometimes we need to take time to express our opinion about something that we really liked.  So, in that spirit, let me say, that in my opinion, the town’s Fourth of July at Kenan Stadium was the very best ever.

All of the people involved in the planning, execution, supervision, and funding of the evening deserve a big thanks for making it so special.

Parks and Recreation Manager Wes Tilghman and his staff, all of the UNC personnel involved, the fire department, the public safety officers, everyone who worked so hard to celebrate America’s birthday in such a fine fashion, should be praised.

And we can’t forget the outstanding musical group, the brave souls who entered the watermelon eating contest, the Honor Guard, the group that sang the national anthem, and all of the sponsors who helped with the financial support.  And Grace Church with the glowsticks.

One man who also deserves our thanks is M.C. Ron Stutts as he makes any program more special than it might have been otherwise.

Yes.  We all have opinions.

I hope that the thousands of people who came to Kenan for the fourth agree.  We had one heck of a birthday celebration with the kind of old-fashioned fireworks that made us all sit up and take notice.

Let’s do it again next year.

— Fred Black

‹

Here's What You Need To Know Before Chapel Hill's July 4 Firework Show

Chapel Hill will once again host a Fourth of July fireworks show at Southern Community Park. Here's what you need to know.

July 4 Parade Shooting Leaves 6 Dead, 30 Hurt; Man Detained

Written by MICHAEL TARM, KATHLEEN FOODY and ROGER SCHNEIDER A shooter fired on an Independence Day parade from a rooftop in suburban Chicago, spraying the crowd with gunshots initially mistaken for fireworks before hundreds of panicked revelers of all ages fled in terror. At least six people were killed and at least 30 wounded. An hours long […]

Carrboro: Joint Statement, Frederick Douglass' Essay and Repaving

Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell in-studio on Friday, July 1. He shares details on how his joint statement with the other Orange County mayors about abortion access came together, as well as Carrboro's role in pushing for reproductive health. Plus: Seils shares various Fourth of July activities happening around town and details on the repaving of East Main Street.

'Get to The 5th of July': Orange County Sheriff Shares Holiday Safety Tips

While the Fourth of July holiday is known for celebrations with fireworks displays, great food and summer activities, the holiday is also known among the emergency responder community as a time when emergency calls ramp up. Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood spoke with 97.9 The Hill on Friday and reminded residents to be cautious and […]

Here's How Our Community Will Celebrate Independence Day

Fourth of July is marked with a variety of festivals and events, both in-person and livestreamed, in Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham County.

Orange County Governments Announce Service Schedules for Fourth of July Holiday

For the first time in two years, Orange County is seeing in-person celebrations and events for the Fourth of July holiday. Residents can expect to see gatherings for community readings, food festivals and fireworks displays on Sunday, but the local governments are also recognizing the holiday on Monday, July 5. This weekend and to start […]

Chapel Hill: University Place, Athlete-Business Partnerships and July 4th

Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell. She details some of the item's on this week's agenda for the last town council meeting for the summer. Plus: business is changing, partially thanks to new rules in college athletics allowing athlete endorsements.

Chapel Hill: Fourth of July, Aura and Meetings Galore

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell to share some breaking news about the town's upcoming holiday plans. Fourth of July fireworks will once again be held at Southern Community Park! Plus: Hemminger shares her thoughts on last night's Aura development vote and upcoming Juneteenth celebrations.

Chapel Hill Announces Fourth of July Fireworks Plans at Southern Village

The Town of Chapel Hill announced Thursday it will hold a fireworks display for the Fourth of July holiday this summer. Most town events in the last 18 months were canceled to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and follow public health measures. That means the community did not see events like last year’s Fourth of […]

Black Lives Matter Activists Call for Equality, Police Reform on the Fourth of July

Hours after an Independence Day celebration in downtown Hillsborough, Black Lives Matter activists gathered at the same location to call for equality and police reform. “No one wants to do this,” Event organizer Del Ward said. “We don’t want to be out here.” Saturday’s protest in Hillsborough was one of hundreds that have popped up […]

›