NC Symphony's July 4th Celebration at Koka Booth Amphitheatre - Patriotic performances and music combined with family-friendly activities in an atmosphere that is second to none makes the July 4th Celebration at Booth Amphitheatre an event not to be missed. As the last note fades, the celebration is capped off with a spectacular fireworks display. Kids young and old will want to take a ride on the Ferris Wheel which offers a stunning view of Symphony Lake. There will also be an array of contests, magicians, scavenger hunts, rides, and more!
 
Schedule of Events
3:00pm          Gates Open to Blankets, Lawn Chairs & Picnics
3:00 - 7pm    Kids Activities, Ferris Wheel, Berry-Go-Round, scavenger hunt, and more.
4:30 - 6pm    Watermelon eating, ice cream eating and corn hole contests.
5:45pm          Cary Town Band on Koka Booth Main Stage
7:30pm          NC Symphony on Koka Booth Main Stage
 
For Special Reserved Seating - Booth Amphitheatre is once again offering Crescent table seating for purchase. The price is $40 per seat and includes Lumpy's Ice cream, a Star Spangled Swirl Bread from Great Harvest Bread Company and preferred parking. Tickets may be purchased at the Amphitheatre Box Office or online. For more information, call (919) 469-4061, Website.

State Capitol Independence Day Celebration - Pack a picnic, bring your lawn chairs and your blankets, and enjoy the Independence Day holiday weekend by attending this annual patriotic celebration on Saturday, July 4. The North Carolina State Capitol will sponsor this free fun-filled family event that has become a downtown Raleigh tradition.

For the fifth year, an outdoor naturalization ceremony for approximately 30 new citizens will take place at noon on the Capitol steps. From 10am to 2pm the event will offer the public a variety of musical performances, military displays, carriage rides and several hands-on and play activities for children to enjoy. Visitors will have the chance to listen to patriotic tunes performed by the Raleigh Concert Band, the Star Catchers vocal ensemble, and Blue Grass favorite Ash Breeze!

Visitors can depart from the festivities on the square to take narrated trolley rides throughout the historic downtown area to view Raleigh's landmarks. Food vendors, including Jonesy's Hot Dogs and Ben and Jerry's ice cream, will be located on the Capitol grounds.

After the naturalization ceremony, the traditional "Salute to Independence" will feature a reading of Thomas Jefferson's most noble achievement, "The Declaration of Independence." This will be followed by the placement of floral tributes to mark the 1775-1781 War for Independence and the successive wars that have preserved America's freedoms and have continued to spread America's democracy and freedoms globally.

Additionally, a children's parade from the square through Bicentennial Plaza will precede the annual ringing of the replica Liberty Bell by the Sons of the American Revolution at 2 p.m. The State Capitol's mission is to preserve and interpret the history, architecture and functions of the 1840 building and Union Square.

The State Capitol -  One Edenton Street, Raleigh, 27601. Visit website or call (919) 733-4994 for more information. Cost: Free

Historic Independence Day Open House  at Joel Lane Museum House -  Colonel Lane was a founding father of North Carolina's capital city and an officer in the Wake County militia during the American Revolutionary War. The house will be opened on July 4th from 11am to 4pm  and staffed by costumed docents who will be available to answer questions. On the grounds, re-enactors will demonstrate various aspects of colonial life, and visitors will be able to participate in hands-on activities such as writing with a quill pen or making rag dolls. There will be old-fashioned crafts and games for the children and free lemonade for all. The garden in its full summer glory will be on view, and herbs and trees from the gardens will be for sale. In addition to outdoor activities, the 1769 plantation manor house, the circa 1790 "kitchen" building, and the Visitors Center and Museum Store will be open.

Joel Lane Museum House - 728 W Hargett St - Saturday, July 4, 2015, 11 am-4 pm
For more information call (919) 833-3431 or e-mail joellane@bellsouth.net. Admission is free, and donations are requested. Website.

   

Blaise is paying for his high school tennis. He has all the supplies and uses professional products. If you don't own a hose, he will bring one. He cleans the inside (vacuuming and cleaning all surfaces) and washes the outside. He will come to you. Prices: Cars $25, SUV's $30. Contact: Blaise Waters (305)903-1550 (texting is best!) For more info click here.