North Carolina's Independence Day Festival features a variety of events leading up to and on the Fourth of July, including patriotic events and welcoming ceremonies.
Click here for more details about the event.
Friday, June 28
- The American Red Cross blood drive will be held at Southport Baptist Church, 200 N. Howe St., Southport, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (by appointment).
- Self-guided tours of the historic Chapel of the Cross will be held at St. Philip's Church, 203 E Moore St. in Southport, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Fort Johnston Visitor Center and Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 203 E. Bay St. in Southport.
- The North Carolina Maritime Museum, 204 E. Moore St., Southport, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Mobile 9/11 Memorial, 3 p.m., intersection of NC 87 and NC 211 in Southport.
- The welcoming ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, 203 E. Bay St., Southport.
- The flyover will take place at Southport Waterfront Park in Southport at 6pm.
- The reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at 6:15 p.m. on the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, 203 E. Bay St., in Southport.
- The 440th Army Band will perform at 6:30 p.m. on the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn (203 E. Bay St.) in Southport.
Saturday, June 29
- Freedom Run 5K-1 Mile from 8-10 a.m. at Southport Waterfront Park (Southport).
- Self-guided tours of the historic Chapel of the Cross will be held at St. Philip's Church, 203 E Moore St. in Southport, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Fort Johnston Visitor Center and Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 203 E. Bay St. in Southport.
- The North Carolina Maritime Museum, 204 E. Moore St., Southport, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Summer Regional Art Show, Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E. West St., Southport, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Mobile 9/11 Memorial, Nash Street, Southport, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Over the River Theatre Company will present “A Complete History of America” ​​from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Amuzu Theatre, 111 N. Howe St. in Southport. Admission is free.
- The 39th annual Firefighters Free Competition and Fire Apparatus Fair will be held at 3pm on Nash Street in Southport.
- Patriotic concert by the Sea Notes Choir, 3 p.m., Odell Williamson Auditorium, Brunswick Community College, 150 College Road, Bolivia.
- Over the River Theatre Company will present “A Complete History of America” ​​from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Amuzu Theatre, 111 N. Howe St. in Southport. Admission is free.
Sunday, June 30
- Kite Festival, 10 a.m. to noon, Middleton Park SE 46th Street, Oak Island.
- Food vendors, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Middleton Park SE 46th Street, Oak Island.
- A mobile memorial remembering 9/11 will be held on Nash Street in Southport from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Kite flying demonstration, 10:15-11:45 a.m., Middleton Park SE 46th St., Oak Island.
- Uncle Sam's Skydiving, Middleton Beach Access 49th Street, Oak Island, midday
- UPWA Live Wrestling, 1-3 p.m., Middleton Park SE 46th Street, Oak Island.
- Patriotic concert by the Sea Notes Choir, 3 p.m., Odell Williamson Auditorium, Brunswick Community College, 150 College Road, Bolivia.
- Gospel singing, 4 to 6 p.m., Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, 203 E. Bay St., Southport.
Monday, July 1
- Beach Day – Registration for athletic event, 7 a.m., 46th Street SE and Beach Drive, Oak Island.
- Beach Day Volleyball Tournament, 8 a.m., 46th Street SE and Beach Drive, Oak Island.
- Beach Day Horseshoes, 9 a.m., Middleton Park SE 46th Street, Oak Island.
- Beach Day Beach Dog Costume Contest, 9 a.m., Middleton Park Stage, SE 46th St., Oak Island.
- Beach Day Cornhole Tournament, 10 a.m., Middleton Park SE 46th St., Oak Island.
- Beach Day Baby Swimsuit Contest, 10 a.m., Middleton Park Stage, SE 46th St., Oak Island.
- Self-guided tours of the historic Chapel of the Cross will be held at St. Philip's Church, 203 E Moore St. in Southport, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Fort Johnston Visitor Center and Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 203 E. Bay St. in Southport.
- The North Carolina Maritime Museum, 204 E. Moore St., Southport, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Beach Day Beachin' Golf Cart Contest, 11 a.m., Middleton Park basketball courts, Oak Island
- Beach Day Preschool/Elementary School Balloon Toss, 11 a.m., Middleton Park Stage, Oak Island
- Beach Day Inflatables, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Middleton Park SE 46th Street, Oak Island.
- Beach Day Sand Castle Contest, 12:30 p.m., 46th Street SE and Beach Drive, Oak Island.
- Beach Day Jimmy Buffet Karaoke, for grades 6 and up, 1 p.m., Middleton Park Stage, Oak Island
- Reception ceremony, 5:45 p.m., Middleton Park Extension, 46th Street & Dolphin Drive, Oak Island.
- Beach Day Oak Island Birthday Celebration, 5:45 p.m., Middleton Park SE 46th Street, Oak Island.
- Oak Island Summer Concert Series – Oak Island Beach Day – 2-0 Ride, 6-9 p.m., Middleton Park SE 46th Street, Oak Island.
- Oak Island Beach Dawn Memorial Fireworks Display, 9 p.m., Oak Island Pier, 705 Ocean D.ive, Oak Island
Tuesday, July 2
- 9 a.m. at the 440th Army Band, Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, 203 E. Bay St., Southport.
- Command Assumption Ceremony – 596th Transportation Brigade, 9 to 10 a.m., Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, 203 E. Bay St., Southport.
- SUP Parade, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the public boat ramp next to 5710 57th Place W., Oak Island.
- Self-guided tours of the historic Chapel of the Cross will be held at St. Philip's Church, 203 E Moore St. in Southport, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- A mobile memorial remembering 9/11 will be held on Nash Street in Southport from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The North Carolina Maritime Museum, 204 E. Moore St., Southport, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The trolley will be available from Southport Elementary School, 701 W. Ninth St., Southport, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Arts and Crafts, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 11am to 7pm.
- Food vendors at Southport Waterfront Park (Southport) are open from 11am to 10pm.
- Children's entertainment, noon-2 p.m., Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, 203 E. Bay St., Southport.
- Summer Community Art Show, noon-5 p.m., Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E. West St., Southport.
- The Brunswick Big Band will perform at the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, 203 E. Bay St., Southport, from 3 to 4 p.m.
- The Brunswick Summer Wind Ensemble will perform at the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn (203 E. Bay St.) in Southport from 3 to 4 p.m.
- Red, White and Blue Freedom Flotilla, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 4pm
- Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Southport Waterfront Main Stage, 5 p.m.
- “Letters from Home” paying tribute to veterans, Southport Waterfront Main Stage, Southport, 5:30pm
- Waterfront Stage Entertainment – ​​LunaSea, 7pm to 10pm Southport Waterfront Park, Southport
Wednesday, July 3
- Registration for children's games begins at 8 a.m. and the games will take place from 9-11 a.m. at Southport Waterfront Park in Southport.
- Self-guided tours of the historic Chapel of the Cross will be held at St. Philip's Church, 203 E Moore St. in Southport, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- A mobile memorial remembering 9/11 will be held on Nash Street in Southport from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The North Carolina Maritime Museum, 204 E. Moore St., Southport, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Summer Community Art Show, Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E. West St., Southport, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The trolley will be available from Southport Elementary School, 701 W. Ninth St., Southport, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Cape Fear Radio, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Arts and Crafts, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 11am to 7pm.
- Food vendors at Southport Waterfront Park (Southport) are open from 11am to 10pm.
- Old Brunswick Prison will be open from 12:30pm to 3:30pm at the Old Jail Annex, Nash and Lett Streets, Southport.
- The flag retirement ceremony will be held at 1pm on the Waterfront Stage at Southport Waterfront Park.
- 440th Army Band, 1:30 p.m., Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, 203 E. Bay St., Southport.
- Naturalization ceremony, 2:30-3:45 p.m., Fort Johnston Garrison, 203 E. Bay St., Southport.
- Waterfront Stage Entertainment, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 4 to 6:30 p.m.
- Waterfront Mainstage Entertainment and Street Dance by The Embers, 7pm to 10pm, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport
Thursday, July 4
- Pancake breakfast, 7-10 a.m., at Trinity Methodist Church, 209 E Nash St., Southport.
- Cape Fear Cruisers Car Club Reverse Classic Care Parade, 10 a.m. at Moore and Howe streets, Southport.
- Mobile 9/11 Memorial, Nash Street, Southport, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Self-guided tours of the historic Chapel of the Cross will be held at St. Philip's Church, 203 E Moore St. in Southport, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Summer Community Art Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Franklin Square Gallery, 130 E. West St., Southport.
- The trolley will be available from Southport Elementary School, 701 W. Ninth St., Southport, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Reading of the Declaration of Independence, 10:15 a.m., Moore and Howe streets, Southport.
- Flag raising ceremony, 10:30 a.m., Moore and Howe Streets, Southport
- Independence Day Parade, 11 a.m., Moore and Howe Streets, Southport
- Arts and Crafts, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 11am to 9pm.
- Food vendors at Southport Waterfront Park (Southport) are open from 11am to 10pm.
- Cape Fear Radio, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, noon to 3 p.m.
- The North Carolina Maritime Museum, 204 E. Moore St., Southport, will be open from noon to 5 p.m.
- Flying at 1pm at Southport Waterfront Park, Southport
- Military Exhibition, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 1-3pm
- First Responders Vehicle Display, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, from 1 to 3 p.m.
- UPWA Live Wrestling, Nash Street, Southport, 3-5pm
- Waterfront Stage Entertainment by The Doorsman, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 3pm to 6pm
- 440th Army Band, 6 p.m., Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn, 203 E. Bay St., Southport.
- Waterfront Stage Entertainment and Liquid Pleasure, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 7 to 9 p.m.
- 4th of July fireworks, Southport Waterfront Park, Southport, 9 p.m.
- The band will return to the Waterfront Stage at Southport Waterfront Park from 9:30-10pm. Southport
