July 4th means fireworks, barbecues, cookouts and spending time with family. Orange County will be celebrating the holiday in typical fashion, with fireworks displays all over the county.
Here is your complete guide for celebrating the 4th of July in Orange County, with events ranging from children’s bicycle parades to the Town of Chapel Hill’s big celebration in Kenan Stadium.
Sunday, July 1
Pittsboro Summer Fest: The Town of Pittsboro will celebrate the 4th of July with a Summer Fest in the historic downtown area. Activities will include a laser light show after dark, live music, a hoops performance by Imagine Circus, a watermelon seed spitting contest, and a dunking booth. A pie judging contest will begin at 6:00 p.m., with the winners announced at 7:15 p.m. Residents are asked to register if they want to participate in the bicycle parade.
Hillsborough Independence Day Picnic: The annual Picnic in the Park event will be held at the Rivers Park Farmer’s Market Pavilion. The Music Makers Relief Foundation will supply a whole lot of American Blues and Roots Music for a free outdoor concert. Bring your blankets and picnic gear, eat what you bring or dine at one of the food trucks and enjoy a family-friendly afternoon of music, games, community, and more!
Wednesday, July 4
Children’s Independence Day Celebration in Durham: Come out to Durham Central Park at 9:30 a.m. for an Independence Day Bicycle Parade. Bikes, trikes, wagons, and strollers are all welcome! Please meet at 9:30 a.m. in the pavilion that will be decorated with red, white and blue balloons. The parade will through the park at 10:30. After the parade, there will be free Popsicles and fire truck tours!
Durham Fourth of July Celebration: The Durham Bulls Athletic Park will be hosting a baseball game between Team USA and Japan. Tickets can be purchased online through the Durham Bulls website or by calling 919-956-BULL. Following the game, fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. Gates will open for general admission at the end of the 7th inning based on availability for those that would like to view the fireworks show from inside the ballpark. Please note, viewing areas are limited outside of the ballpark. Purchasing tickets to the game is strongly encouraged and ensures a spot inside the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to watch the fireworks.
Festival for the Eno: Come out to the 39th Annual Festival for the Eno, hosted by the Eno River Association. The festival will feature music, crafts, food trucks, vendors and more. Each year since 1980, the Association has presented the Festival for the Eno to draw thousands of folks to the shaded banks on the Eno River to sing dance and make merry with great food and crafts all while learning about natural resource conservation and raising funds for land protection in the Eno River basin.
Chapel Hill July 4th Fireworks Celebration: The Town of Chapel Hill will be hosting its annual fireworks celebration at Kenan Stadium on UNC’s campus. 97.9 The Hill WCHL will be presenting the main stage, with longtime morning show host Ron Stutts hosting the event. The Matt Stratford Band will be performing live music and a watermelon eating contest will be held on the main stage as well. The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m., so residents are advised to get there early to get the best seats.
Old Fashioned 4th of July: Preservation Chapel Hill will be hosting an old fashioned fourth of July celebration on the lawn at the Horace Williams House, 610 East Rosemary Street. Free ice cream, lemonade, flags and patriotic music performed by The Village Band. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, family and friends. An annual event that is fun for the whole family!
Carrboro Fourth of July Celebration: Head out to Carrboro to participate in a small town tradition with big time fun! The event at Weaver Street Market Lawn will begin at 9:30 a.m. and a parade to the Town Hall will begin at 10:50 a.m. The Kids Fun Zone and Fun Zone Stage will be back and better than ever. Enjoy plenty of activities, games, good food, and live music!
