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The Big Bang Dilemma - Fourth of July Options

What a dilemma.  This year Independence Day falls on a Wednesday.  Do we stick to a one day celebration, make it the excuse for taking a long weekend, or just blow off the entire week?  The answer ... Go ask the Founding Fathers!   In any case, you'll need to make plans for the Big Bang day(s).  Listed below are local and statewide Fourth of July celebrations.  Of course, with extra time you could make it up to see the Boston Pop's.  Enjoy!

Raleigh: 

Early Start - DJ 4th of July Celebration at Midtown Farmers Market: Enjoy your favorite tunes and patriotic melodies as the Midtown Farmers Market celebrates Independence Day.  Get an early start on produce for your 4th of July family picnics.  Saturday, June 30 10am to 12pm; The Commons at North Hills, Raleigh: Website 

Exit Fairgrounds - Enter "The Works":  For the first time, Downtown Raleigh will be the one and only host of the City's Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza. Family attractions such as bounce houses, eating contests and more start up at noon. Bands crank up at 4pm, with the fireworks taking center stage once darkness falls around 9:30. As the skies light up, you'll find an exciting new world of entertainment, great eats and cool drinks throughout downtown. Plus, Sir Walter declares there will be plenty of parking and easy access in and out.  Wednesday, July 4 12:00pm to 10:00pm, Fayetteville Street Raleigh;  Website 

Old-Fashioned Fourth - NC State Capital: Have a traditional family-oriented Independence Day celebration with a patriotic concert and picnic, naturalization ceremony for new citizens, musical performances, food, and historical re-enactors round out this patriotic day of fun.  Wednesday, July 4,11am to 3pm; NC State Capital, Raleigh:  Website 

The Joel Lane Museum House - 22nd Annual Colonial Independence Day Open House:  Colonel Lane was a founding father of North Carolina's capital city and the Joel Lane Museum House is sponsoring its 22nd annual Independence Day Open House on Wednesday, July 4. This free open house event features hands-on activities and games, re-enactors demonstrating colonial life, tours of the historic buildings on the property, and free lemonade.  Joel Lane Museum House, Raleigh: Wednesday, July 4 11am to 4pm:  Website 

Durham / Chapel Hill / Cary:

Durham's Independence Day celebration is focused over at the American Tobacco Campus, Downtown. Enjoy a day of live music and then hit the ballpark for the Durham Bulls vs. Norfolk Tides and witness the city's extravaganza fireworks display.

The Chapel Hill/Carborro day's events begin in Carrboro with a bike parade, music and more at 10am. Cap off the day with fireworks at Kenan Stadium on the UNC Campus.  Gates open at 7pm with live music by Mick Mixon and The Franklin Street Band at 8pm.  Website 

Cary holds an old fashioned Fouth of July celebration on Independence Eve. Then on July 4th there's a free performance by the NC Symphony at Koka Booth followed by fireworks.  Gates open at 3pm with contests (watermelon/ice cream eating, frozen T-shirt unwrap) at 4:30pm and live music starting at 5:45pm.  Website 

Other NC 4th of July Celebrations:

Ingles 4th of July Celebration , Ashville:  Head to downtown Asheville for family-friendly fun including music, food and lots of patriotic festivities and a spectacular fireworks display.  Website 

Annual July 4th Parade and Celebration - Bellhaven:  One of the longest running July 4th events in the eastern United States and the oldest in North Carolina, this annual celebration features a mile-long parade, concerts and events during the day and fireworks at dark.

Fireworks at Tweetsie Railroad - Blowing Rock:  Enjoy one of the highland's most popular fireworks shows, after the park closes at 9 p.m., at this delightful mountain theme park with great appeal for young children.  Website  

Crystal Coast Fourth of July Celebrations - Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle and Morehead City:  Enjoy plenty of celebrations throughout the area including the delightful annual Fourth of July Parade in Beaufort, live music and fireworks at Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle's annual celebration, a July 4th Arts and Crafts Show and more.  Website 

Outer Banks Fourth of July Celebrations - Various Locations along the Outer Banks From Currituck Heritage Park fireworks and Duck's annual Fourth of July Parade to Roanoke Island Festival Park's fireworks and concert, and on to Hatteras Island.  Check out all the events along the North Carolina Outer Banks throughout the July 4th weekend.  Website 

Southport: The patriotic spirit of America is alive and well in the City of Southport. For over 200 years the small maritime community of Southport has celebrated the nation's independence, beginning in colonial times when ships shot their cannons from the harbor to today's festival where 40,000 people come each year to enjoy the spirit of commemorating Old Glory.   Website 

Riverfront Celebration - Wilmington:  This celebration features plenty of food, music and more preceding the annual Battleship Blast fireworks spectacular, one of the largest choreographed fireworks displays in the Carolinas.  Website 

NC Free Fishing Day - All NC Public Waters:  North Carolina's annual free fishing day always falls on July 4th. Residents and non-residents may fish without a license in all public waters, including coastal waters, from 12:01am until 11:59 pm.   All other fishing regulations as well as baint and tackle restrictions apply.  Information 

To Bee or Not to Bee   

Ride with Pride: If your neighborhood has a Fourth of July Bike Parade, lead the pack as the patriotic peddler.  Show your American pride and decorate your bike with streamers, flags and pin-wheels.

Wear your heart on your sleeve: To display one's self-expression and emotions openly and outwardly can sometimes become obnoxious.  But boasting your American pride in fashion once or twice a year is well acceptable and in fact encouraged.  Here are a some tasteful ways to do so.  

With a little planning and some roll-up-your-sleeves attitude you'll be the proud hostess of a snazzy Independence Day Party.  Subtle, it's not....But we're Americans after all!

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. - Accepting Estate Jewelry Consignments for its Two-Day Fall Estate Catalogued Auction. Their fine and estate jewelry specialists are now scheduling appointments to discuss consignments for inclusion in their Two-Day Fall Estate Catalogued Auction. Please contact the gallery for more information, or submit photographs of your items online! Left Photo: This 14.47 carat Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Sold for $40,000. It's time to go through your jewelry that you'd like to sale. Contact: Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., 620 Cornerstone Court, Hillsborough, NC 27278, 1+ (919) 644-1243 Website.

The Raleigh Beehive Girls First Meetup!  Thursday, June 28th from 5:30pm until 7:00pm..  Hey Future Beehive Girls!  Are you ready to just let loose and have a great evening? It's time to call your best gals and let them know where to be and let your hair down! Call a babysitter, get it down in your books, put it on your smart phone calendar and don't double bo...ok!! Do NOT miss this first event of the Raleigh's First Beehive Girls Meetup!  Prizes, Gift Cards, free stuff will be well worth your time... oh yea... one more thing, CASH BAR!!! yes, get yo'drink on (responsibly).  We can't wait to meet you and "celebrate the power of girlfriends"!  The London Bridge Pub, 110 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 Click Here to RSVP. 

Correction from last week's Buzz, Summer Cool:

Phone number for Pins & Needles Studio is (919) 412-0617. Please call to sign up for sewing lessons, workshops, questions and more.

Pins & Needles provides teaching and guidance for youths and adults in all skill levels.  They offer sewing and design classes, from the fundamentals to the intricate.  Courses will change routinely as students become more efficient and express interest in various techniques.

Pins & Needles Studio: 518 Pershing Rd, Raleigh, 27608, Phone: 919-412-0617, Email, Website.

Hunt & Gather on Bernard Street holds a Save After Six Shopping Night on the third Thursdays of each month.  On the third Thursday of each month you will find great markdowns, refreshments, and friendly faces at Hunt & Gather, 1910 Bernard Street, Raleigh 27608.  

Kenna Custom Painting, Inc.  is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website. 

Join My Blog Simply-Refined:  I am an Interior Designer that can inspire and help you with your designs and decorating needs.  Call  Zaytoun Interiors if you're finally ready to decorate or re-decorate your home or office.  What's your style?  If you're not sure, I can help you tap into your inner self and find what makes you want to come home.  Website, Email, Phone: 305-793-8510. 

Moe's Southwest Grill in the Triangle area will have an opportunity to win four tickets to the Dark Knight Rises on NC's biggest screen at IMAX Theatre at Marbles Museum in downtown Raleigh on July 20, 2012. Order either a cup or bowl of queso to receive a scratch-off ticket for the chance to win either four tickets to Dark Knight Rises premiere film and concession vouchers or Moe's food.

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