Burke County prepares to celebrate the Fourth

Morganton

Bring your bike to Morganton on July 3 and ride in a parade.

In celebration of Independence Day and bicycles, Overmountain Cycles will host a fun-for-everyone bike parade through downtown Morganton.

Riders will meet behind Food Matters on Avery Avenue at 5:30 p.m. The parade will begin pedaling at 6 p.m. Dressing up is highly encouraged and recommended. The ride will be slow and casual. Pull the kids’ trailer, bring the dogs, wave American flags, light sparklers, horns, bells, bring the works. Organizers will work with Public Safety for safe intersection crossings. The ride will wrap up at Sidetracked Brewery.

The City of Morganton will celebrate the Fourth of July with a fireworks show at Freedom Park, starting at 9:45 p.m. The park will be closed all day for setup.

Families searching for a great vantage point from which to watch the show Friday night might want to plan a trip to the Burke County Fairgrounds. 

Fairgrounds officials are partnering with the Chesterfield Ruritan Club to host a “Fourth of July Blast” at 145 Bost Road, Morganton. According to Shandy Denton, an organizer for the celebration, attendees will find plenty of food, activities for children, and live music with New Primitive Bluegrass. 

Fairground gates will open at 5 p.m. and guests will be admitted for $5 per car. The band will play at 6. Denton said the fairgrounds provide a great view of the fireworks spectacle, which is scheduled for 9:45 at Freedom Park.

Valdese

Each year the Town of Valdese celebrates Independence Day by holding a fireworks display on Temple Field behind the Old Rock School. Main Street will close at 5 p.m. to allow cars for the classic and antique car cruise-in to fill the downtown area. Amusement rides for all ages and plenty of great food will be available. Activities will include face painting, singing of the “National Anthem,” and a presentation of colors by the Valdese American Legion Color Guard.

At 8 p.m., popular variety band “Too Much Sylvia” will entertain the crowds on Main Street and at dusk, the fireworks will begin. Pets (with the exception of service animals), coolers, and outside alcohol are not permitted at this event.

Glen Alpine

The Glen Alpine Independence Day parade will step off at 10 a.m. Line-up will begin at 9:15 on Pollard Avenue. Call Town Hall at 828-584-2622 with any questions.

—SWQ