Burke County lines up full day of Independence Day events

Burke County residents can make a full day of Independence Day this year, with a July Fourth lineup that starts with a parade in Glen Alpine, moves through history and theater in downtown Morganton, and ends with fireworks after dark.

Glen Alpine will host the county’s official America250 Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4. The event comes as the United States marks its 250th birthday, and the town has been preparing for a larger-than-usual crowd for the milestone celebration.

At 1 p.m., a “Charters of Freedom Celebration” is scheduled for the Historic Courthouse Square in Morganton. The square is home to Burke County’s Charters of Freedom display, which includes replicas of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

The Burke Theater Guild and Historic Burke Foundation also will present “Tarheel Ladies of the Revolution,” a dramatic play at the Historic Burke County Courthouse. Performances are scheduled for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 4, with an additional 3 p.m. show July 5.

Tickets are $10. For reservations, call 828-437-4104. The Paper previously reported that the production was planned to coincide with America250 and the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Fireworks will close out the holiday after dark. In Valdese, the town’s July Fourth celebration begins downtown with food, children’s activities, a cruise-in, live music, and fireworks at dusk.

The official Valdese schedule lists Main Street closing at 5 p.m., the cruise-in beginning at 5:30 p.m., opening announcements and the National Anthem at 6:45 p.m., The Tonez performing at 7 p.m., and fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m. behind Old Rock School, 400 Main St. W.

Morganton’s fireworks will take place at dark at Freedom Park, 511 Independence Blvd.