There are plenty of red, white, and blue Independence Day activities planned starting this weekend in Columbus County. You don’t have to go far to find some good clean fun no matter where you are in the area. Here’s a full list of events happening near you.
Fireworks
The 36th annual Columbus County fireworks celebration will light up the sky Friday evening. Fuses will be lit on June 30 at 9:30 p.m. at the South Columbus High School football field.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. with pre-show music by the Columbus Community Band beginning at 6:30 p.m. The main entertainment segment of the evening will start at 7:30 p.m. with local singers and musicians. Hot dogs, soft drinks, water, and other snacks and refreshments will be available for purchase. Glow necklaces and bracelets will also be up for grabs.
No pets are allowed at the fireworks show, but service animals are welcome. Coolers, bags, or outside food or drinks will not be permitted. Absolutely no alcoholic beverages of any kind are to be brought anywhere on school property including the parking lot. For more information about this event, please contact the GTCCC at 910.377.3012. SCHS is located at 40 Stallion Drive in Tabor City.
VMPA Fundraiser Yard Sale
On Saturday, July 1, the Veterans Memorial Park of America will be hosting a community yard sale and celebration in honor of Independence Day. The day will include food, craft, and item vendors, and a Kids Corner with bouncy houses, games, coloring, and other activities. Concessions like hotdogs, chips, drinks, popcorn, and Kona Ice will be available for purchase. Fire, rescue, and law enforcement members will be onsite for meet and greets, and local organizations will be handing out community information.
Booth spots are still up for grabs for anyone who would like to sell items at the yard sale. Spaces are $10 each, and step up and registration will begin at 7 a.m. The sale starts at 8 a.m. with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the day ends at 7 p.m.
The Veterans Memorial Park of America is located at 6354 James B. White Highway South in Whiteville. If you would like to donate, pledge your $250 for the 250 Club Challenge, participate in the yard sale, volunteer, or become a sponsor for the VMPA, contact Angela Norris at 910.840.3848.
Music at Leamon Rogers Memorial Chapel
The Southeastern Oratorio Society and the Columbus Community Band will be coming together again to provide a one-hour concert of traditional patriotic music in celebration of Independence Day. The concert will be in the Leamon Rogers Memorial Chapel on the campus of Boys and Girls Homes of N.C. at Lake Waccamaw at 6 p.m. this Sunday, July 2.
There is no admission fee, but there will be a donation box at the entrance to give attendees the chance to give back the BGHNC. Donation amounts of any kind are appreciated. The dress code for the event is casual or patriotic.
The Leamon Rogers Memorial Chapel can be found at 111 Rube McCray Circle. You can find out more about the Southeastern Oratorio Society or the Columbus Community Band by visiting their Facebook pages.
Lake Waccamaw Summer Flotilla
The town of Lake Waccamaw will be bringing another first to the area on Monday, July 3. The Summer Flotilla will be making its way through lake waters beginning at 8:30 p.m. Fishing and pleasure boats decorated with lights will present a festive display.
The cruise will go from the Canal Cove Wildlife boat landing heading northeast towards Big Creek. Friends, family and neighbors are invited to participate or just watch Lake Waccamaw’s very first Summer Flotilla.
Prizes will be handed out in different categories by Burning Lake Trading Co. Best in Show and Community Choice will receive a prize pack, and Most Spirited will receive a $100 gift card to spend in the shop. The entry fee to join the flotilla is $20.
Visit https://www.lakewaccamawnc.gov/flotilla-registration-form to sign up. The fee can be paid in person at Lake Waccamaw Town Hall located at 205 Flemington Drive, or mailed to P.O. Box 145, Lake Waccamaw, N.C. 28450. Checks should be made out to Lake Waccamaw Town Hall with ‘Flotilla’ written in the memo.
Free Fishing on July 4
There is good news for those spending their Independence Day at their favorite fishing hole. The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission has declared no fishing license will be required on July 4 from 12 a.m. – 11:59 p.m., regardless of age, so that families can go outdoors and spend the day making memories together while reeling them in. This applies to both residents and visitors to N.C. waters.
Hot Dogs and Boot Drop
The Lake Waccamaw Fire and Rescue Department will be holding their annual boot drop and hotdog sale on Tuesday, July 4, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hot dogs will be $3 each and drinks will be sold for $1. Members will be set up in front of the station located at 203 Flemington Drive for the boot drop Independence Day fundraiser.
Come for the hot dogs, and stay for the fireworks. Lake Waccamaw doesn’t have an official fireworks show, but several residents will be setting off patriotic illuminations on their personal piers. Visitors are invited to watch from any of the public access places at the Lake including the boat ramps, the beach beside Dale’s Seafood, and the dam at the end of Waccamaw Shores Road.
Church Event
The Christian Harvest Center will be holding a huge Independence Day celebration on Tuesday, July 4, beginning at 4 p.m. There will be free food, fireworks, games, and many activities for children and families to enjoy.
The church is located at 10526 Hallsboro Road South in Whiteville.
If your church or organization is having an Independence Day celebration and you would like to be added to the list, please send an email to [email protected].
Western Prong ‘God and Country’
Western Prong Baptist Church will host the ‘God and Country’ red, white, and blue event on Wednesday, July 5, from 6-8 p.m. at the church. The evening will include food, fellowship, fun, and even a homemade ice cream contest. If you would like to enter the contest, contact Maria at 910.625.6587. WPBC can be found at 167 Peacock Road in Whiteville.
