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Fourth of July Events
This July 4th Experience A Patriotic
Destination In A Classic Coastal Setting
June
10, 2013 -
Wilmington, NC -
Are you, like many
Americans, torn between a patriotic destination and a
classic beach experience for your summer vacation? It's
a familiar dilemma, especially as July 4th approaches.
Get the best of both worlds when you visit Wilmington,
North Carolina's historic river district and the island
beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville
Beach. In recent years, Coastal Living magazine
identified Wilmington, North Carolina (home to the
Battleship North Carolina WWII memorial) among its "Top
Spots to Celebrate the Fourth." There are many ways to
celebrate our nation's independence with patriotic
happenings from the river to the sea. Here's a sampling:
JULY 2nd: N.C.
SYMPHONY PRESENTS “STARS & STRIPES”. 7:30 p.m. Patriotic
highlights & symphonic favorites. Admission charge.
Kenan Auditorium, UNC-Wilmington; 910-962-3500;
www.ncsymphony.org.
JULY 3rd: PLEASURE
ISLAND FIREWORKS. Enjoy live music (6:00-9:00 p.m.) and
oceanfront fireworks (9:00 p.m.) on the Carolina Beach
Boardwalk. While you’re on the island, enjoy boardwalk
amusements and rides; see the rare Venus Flytrap at
Carolina Beach State Park; rent a kayak; learn to surf;
visit the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher; explore Civil War
history at Fort Fisher Historic Site. Watch a free
family movie on Sunday evening at Carolina Beach Lake or
enjoy live music at the new Kure Beach Ocean Front Park.
910-458-8434;
www.visitcarolinabeachnc.com.
JULY 3rd: MOONLIGHT
FAMILY DANCE CRUISE WITH FIREWORKS. Watch the fireworks
show over Carolina Beach from the decks of the Royal
Winner Princess II. Boards at 8:30 p.m.; returns at
10:45 p.m. Admission charge; prepaid reservations.
Carolina Beach Marina, Carolina Beach. 910-458-5356;
www.winnerboats.com.
JULY 4th: JULY 4th
RIVERFRONT CELEBRATION & BATTLESHIP BLAST. The
riverfront celebration features live music by Heart &
Soul (5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.). At 9:05 p.m., the 17th
Annual BATTLESHIP BLAST, among the largest choreographed
fireworks display in the Carolinas, will explode over
the Battleship North Carolina (a WWII battleship
memorial) and the Cape Fear River. The Battleship closes
at 6:00 p.m. to prepare for this extraordinary event.
Best view of fireworks is from Downtown. For details
about fireworks:
www.battleshipnc.com.
JULY 4th: FAMILY
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION. The Children’s Museum of
Wilmington extends hours until 8:00 p.m. to enjoy
patriotic activities, followed by riverfront fireworks.
Order dinner or bring a picnic. Special activities
beginning at 5:00 p.m. include: air rocket challenge,
Sharpie fireworks, sound sandwich noisemakers, soda
explosion experiments. Admission charge. Military
personnel (with I.D.) and immediate family members
receive 50% off admission today. Children’s Museum of
Wilmington, Downtown Wilmington. 910-254-3534;
www.playwilmington.org.
JULY 4th: HENRIETTA
III RIVERBOAT. Enjoy a buffet dinner and great view of
the Battleship Blast fireworks over the Cape Fear River.
Admission charge. Pre-paid reservations required.
Boarding begins at 6:00 p.m.; departs 6:30 p.m. from
riverfront at Water and Dock streets, Downtown
Wilmington. 800-676-0162 or 910-343-1611;
www.cfrboats.com
JULY 4th: WILMINGTON
WATER TOURS. 3-hour sunset cruise with rum punch and
buffet dinner, followed by fireworks over the
Battleship. Boards 6:30 p.m., departs 7:00 p.m. Advance
reservations.
www.wilmingtonwatertours.net.
JULY 4th: WINNER
PARTY BOAT CRUISE. Royal Winner Princess II boards 6:30
p.m.; departs 7:00 p.m. from Carolina Beach Marina for a
dinner cruise to see Southport’s July 4th fireworks
show. Admission charge. Pre-paid reservations required.
Carolina Beach Marina, Carolina Beach. 910-458-5356;
www.winnerboats.com.
JULY 4th:
INDEPENDENCE DAY MUSIC ON THE BOARDWALK. Enjoy a free
concert by the Funk Orchestra (funkadelic fun, 6:00-9:00
p.m.). Free. Carolina Beach Boardwalk. 910-458-8434;
www.visitcarolinabeachnc.com.
JULY 4th:
INDEPENDENCE DAY MUSIC IN THE PARK. Music by Machine Gun
(rock, 4-7 p.m.). Free. Kure Beach Oceanfront Park.
458-8216;
www.townofkurebeach.org/independence-day-music-in-the-park-4-7pm-2013-07-04.aspx
JULY 4th : JAZZ AT
THE MANSION. Live jazz on the lawn by the Jeff Sipe Trio
(6:00 p.m.). Admission charge. Bellamy Mansion,
Wilmington. 910-251-3700-;
www.bellamymansion.org.
This July, plan to
visit Wilmington, N.C. & Island Beaches, a convenient
drive from Raleigh via I-40 and from Charlotte via US
74. For a free Official Visitors Guide for Wilmington,
North Carolina’s historic river district and the island
beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville
Beach, please call 1-866-266-9690 or email
visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com.
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